South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1882-07-28
Soath slranrll Jntslligenerr.
RoMNEY, FRIDAY, JULY %, 1882
From the West Virginia Argus.
HOCE AND PAYNE.
THE FAlRMONr AGREEMENT.
Mr.. Payne's Version.
To tina Editor of the Argus /:


Learning that you will in this issue
publish letter from, Judge Hoge in re
lation to The arrangement made between
him and myself at the Fairmon: Conyen.
ton in July, 1880, deem it bat lust
that L should at the same time nublish
tue facts as they, occurred, so that the
public would be in possession of the
whole case at onco.
The heated contest between the four
asprants before that Convention will bc
remembered by all. After the adjourn.
ment for supper had been made. Mr..
Lucas came to me at the supper table at
tie Continental Hotel and asked me
what l thought of the situation /? | re-
sponded that he could not getlhe nom.
ination. He then asked me whit ha,,
better he done. replied that scarce.
~ knew. He then said: You do what
you think hest" Then hastily finished
my SUPPER and went directly to Judge
lioge's room where he and several
friends, among them Judge c. j Faul.,
FER. Jr., and Col. w. I Stewart, of
Berkeiey, were. l called Ju ICE Hone
out to q little vernnda at tho hotel. and
there, after Sumo preliminary remarks,
maize to him tue distinct proposition
that if lie would not he "a candidate .or
denomination Tor congress ia this distric;
Two years From that time, in the event
That Air. Lucas should be a candidate,
tha. then tie friends ur LIcas-he with.
| drawing, woIll vote for and thereby
nominate him (lIose.} Judge Ii ,ge re-
iectcd moment and icplied That ac
would not make such an arrangement
without consulting his friends. Tie cx.
cnscd himseIf, lei. me standing on the
verandn and went into his room where
his friends were. After an ahseLce OF
Sc, eral minutes lie returned to me md
requested me to re- state the proposition
dad 40. aud he then accepted il, an I
requested that upon my return home !
make Ii memorandum in writing of the
matter, which promised to do.
In tie conversation suggested 10
Judge Hoge that in all probability he
would not desire c-nomination-t that
he had good prospect of succeeding
ii. q. Davis Ill the Senate; but this did
not enter into the agreement. re-
marked TO him that this was merely n
suggestion. / went from Judge Hosc
to Mr.. Lucas and informed him what |
had done He semed satisfied, but ex.
pressed some fear as 10 our ability &c
nominate lloge unless Capt. Bradford
would withdraw. l then went directly
to tile Mountain City House, saw Capt.
Bradford, tod him that myself and 9th.
era we're anxious 10 secure the nomina-
ton Of liogc, and that it could Le done
il he would withdraw. lie conscu;cj
| then went 10 MT. Lucas and informed
him OF This. and lie at once started for
/ tue Convention, then rcasscmhliug in the
Court-J ard, and FROM Mr. Lucas I wen,
I 10 Hogc, who was still az his room wait
ing my return, and informed him that
tue arrangement was consummated. |
returned at once TO tic Convention and
when | arrived there Mr.. Lucas vas al
dressing the Convention. with jrawin .
from the contest. These are tho facts
in detail. From this Convention went
to the State Convention at Martipsburo
thence to Fauquier county. Va, where I
remained a few weeks tabout twol and
| did not make the memorandum until
my return home, when made il. put
1t in my safe where it. remained until |
received the following letter from Judge
Hoge, to wit:
"MAr7INsBurS, Dec. &c, 1881.
My Dear Sir.-A gentleman has
/ Just called upon mo with an inquiry
which involves the interview You had
with me at the Fajrmont Convention
| told him / would not answer him as
TO the terms of our conference until I
heard from you, as it was understood
that you would make an immediate
note OF 1t and give n copy to Mr.. Nor
row. Having absolute confidence in
You, ! am content to abide by your
statement, particularly as being con.
/ tomPoraneous memorandum it must
/ necessarily DO more accurate than any
nero recollection OF my own or any
I ones
As you will remember, conferred
with my friends, stating to them plain
I Iy tho points OF our understanding.
The inquiry made of me is the ro-
suit Of some difference ofrecollcction
among them, which, being referred
to me, ! decline to decide before hear
ing from you.
My purpose in writing has no 9th.
er sIgnlhcation or scope than to learn
a. 81 49,. Ii Il