National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-02-03

Mr.. George Holmes who was, but is no
longer, chairman of the Republican General
Committee of the District of Columbia, has
usurpcd those powers and issued Il proclama-
ton callinga public meeting Of the 'Stalwart
Republicans of tho District" at Shcas Hall
this evening, at 7 o'clock, ''to take measures
to right tho great wrongs and frauds, whereby
men not hitherto known as Republicans are
seeking to misrepIosent tho Republican party
OF the District in the Chicago convention.
The proclamation recites divers and sundry
very naughty things somebody has done,
which, he seems to think, jusifies this very
singular step on his part. Who the guilty
parties are Mr. Holmes does not say. lie APP
pears to be impressed with the idea that "the
oftce-holders from the Treasury Department
andthe employees under tho Board Of Com
missioners" have been engaged in manpu-
lating tho Republicans of tho District in q
very cruel and wicked manner so rs to thwart
the will of tho honest Republican majority.
III other words tho Republicans of the District
Of Columbia, in obedience to call issued by
Mr.. Holmes, when he had authority from tho
Republican party to issue such q call, met in
their several districts and elected members of
the general committee for the purpose of re-
organizing tho Republican party of the Dis
trict. The committee met and proceeded in
accordance with usage to elect chairman
and secretary. Mr.. Holmes was u candidate
as was his right, for tho position Of chairman,
and after u brisk but fair contest was de-
leated. Then and there he ceased to be chair
man under the declared will of the committee
Now, however much Mr.. Holmes and his
supporters may fool aggrleved by the action
of the committee, he should not seek redress by
all effort to disturb the unities and harmonies
of the party through an assumption OF powers
that no longer attach to him. He is no more
chairman of the General Committee than he
is President of the United States, and in this
| attempt to play chairman, and call a public
meeting as such, he simply exposes himself to
ridiculo, If not to contempt. The movement
| that he has set on foot under this call is un-
authorized by tho party, and is exceedingly
mischievous in its tendencies. For these
reasons 10 trus and loyal Republican can give
the slightest heed to his present action with
out becoming AN abettor to AN effort to disturb
aud divide tho party and weaken its power In
| the District.
The allegation that tho call for conven-
| tion to appoint delegates to tho National Con-
vention is procipitato comes with ill-groco
! from Mr.. Holiness for the reason that the
motion ~ to time was, as Is coItended, made
by one OF his especial friends, and WAS pushed
through tho committee by tho aid of his
friends, against the urgent protest Of tho more
deliberate members of that body. However,
be that rs it may, his call for meeting
now is disorgani2ing and mischievous, and
will not win against the good seuse and the
good faith of the true men of the Republican
party who desire the success OF Republican
principles. No Republican can follow this
lead and movement without bringing dstrust
upon himself aud disorganization to his party
Let Mr.. Holmes hold his meeting all by him
self and share all tho honor that can be do.
rived from its holding. The Republican party
will move right on just as II tho meeting had
not been held. Mr.. Holmes can, perhaps
afford TO set this movement on foot, but no
truU Republican can afford to follow its lead.