Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-07-01
FRIDAY MORNING. JULY 1. 1881.

The second meeting of the Republican
State Central Committee which took place
at Richmond. Tuesday, appears to have
resulted in a stand off, and transfer by
common consent of the battle between the
straightout and Malone factions to the
primaries that shall elect delegates to the
State Convention. Both the leaders, Gen.
Wickham and ex-senator Lewis were
present and as we learn from the newspa-
per reports cordially shook hands," The
committee was called to order by Mr.. Lew
is, the deposed chairman, and then the
skirmishing began. A resolution request
ing both Messrs. Wickham and Lewis to
resign their claims to the craftsmanship.
gave rise to some discussion and was final
" referred to committee on which the
factions were equally represented. This
committee was not able to agree, but the
Central Committee afterwards. by the
close vote of IA to 10 adopted resolution
offered by Mr.. Clarke which provided that
Messrs. Williams C. Wickham and John
F. Lewis should retire, and that neither
of those gentleman should be elected chair
man OF the committee, but that some
other member be selected to fill the posi-
tion; and further, that the convention he
held in the city of Lynchburg on the 10th
day Of August, and that no person who
participated in the late Readjuster Con-
yention, either as delegate or alternate.
could become member of the Lynchburg
Convention. This resolution it will be
observed leaves the field in better shape
for Malone to capture the State Conven.
tion than did the resolution adopted by
the committee last week when Gen.
Wiekham was in control. and which said:
RESOLVED, That no one shall be permit
ted to be elected or to participate IN tne
election of delegates to said convention
who does not acknowledge primary allie
glance to the Republican party, or who is
a member of any other political organlza-
ton.
After the adoption of Mr.. Clarke's reso-
luton Mr.. Lewis retired from the chair
and J. W. Cochran tcolored), a straight
out, from Harrisonburg, was elected chair
man of the Committee, by the same close
vote of IA to 10.
This as we have said transfers the fight
to the counties and cities, struggle in
which the Readjuster faction of the party
will almost certainly have the silent if not
the outspoken aid Of Garfeld's admins
tration. The following extract from a
Washington letter in the Alexandra SEA.
Zette'' gives some information on this
point:
Senator Blair, of New Hampshire, called
upon the President last night and told him
that the Senators who had supported him
in his fight with Mr.. COnklng would think
they were badly treated if he did net give
his support to the MahOnite movement
The President responded that the Repub
licans in Virginia knew what his feelings
were in regard to this subject and that
that was sufficient. Mr.. Blair then called
upon Postmaster General James, and he
informed him that all the aid the postofice
could give Malone was at his disposal
Secretary Blaine was next visited by the
senator, and he said that while he had
not thought it necessary to dispute and
contend with the Democrats who had been
to see him upon this subject he had always
been of the opinion that the federal pat
ronage should be thrown in favor of the
Mahoneites. Secretary Window and Com
missioner Raum were next visited by the
Senator, and they, too, agreed that the
policy of the Republicans was to support
the Mahoneites.
Against such influences as are here re-
ported the .Wickham faction will have an
uphill fight, and the Democrats of Virgins
as we'll as of the United States may con
graduate themselves on the probability Of
a coalition which will give the former a
clean unmistakeable Republican ahon e
party to contend with before the people OF
Virginia, and furnish the latter with ire
fragable evidence to circulate in Ohio and
New York that the National Republican
party when in pursuit Of power throws the
question of public credit to the winds.