Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-08-05

lyme pNOpOSlllOU, VI GIldb dNSS
Hoge so stated to his friends.
JOHN BARTON PAYNE's CONTRA
DICTIoN OF HIS OWN MEAIoRAN-
DUN.
The following letters from reliable
gentlemen, as to John Barton
Paynes statements in relation to
the alleged Fairmont agreement be-
tween himself and Judge Hoge,
speak for themselves:
GRAFTON, w. VA, July 20, 1852.
Hon. John BLAIR Hoge,
Washington, D. c.,
Dear Sir: / was very much sur
prised to see published in the Vest
V3rqjnia Argus, over the signature
of John Barton Payne, Esq what
he alleges to be a memorandum OF
an agreement between himself, on
behalf of Hon. D. b. Lucas, and
yourself, at Fairmont, during the
Congressional convention of 1850.
My surprise at seeing it publE he'd
over Mr.. Payne's signature, ARISES
from the fact that in a conversation
between Mr.. Payne and J. G. Ralph
snider, Esq, at the Exchange Ho-
tel, in KingWood, | distinctly re-
member hearing Mr.. Payne deny i11
q most emphatic manner that there
was any arrangement or agreement
between yourself and Mr.. Lucas at
Fairmont or any place else, relative
to Mr.. Lucas candidacy Or with
drawal at the Fairmont convention.
You are at liberty to use this let
ter in any manner you may see lit,
in furtherance Of truth and fair
dealing, and | send it to you unso-
licited, with the hope that it may
accomplish something in that direc-
ton Respectfully,
JNo. II. Holt.
KINGWOoD, w. VA. July 27, 1852
Gen Joseph Sprigg Having
been quoted pretty extensively OF
late, in connection with converse
ton with Mr.. John Barton Payne,
in reference TO the alleged conference
or agreement at Fairmont, between
Judge Hoge and Mr.. Lucas through
MI Payne, / cannot consistently
deny your request for . statement,
although | regret very much being
in a situation that draws me into
this controversy. Sometime after
the Fairmont convention Hon. j.
IL. Holt, Mr.. Payne, and perhaps
another gentleman or two; met In
Judge Brannon'S room at the EX-
change Hotel in this town, and
while there the conversation turned
upon the question of the Congress
siOnal succession, and in answer to
a remark made by me to the effect
that | had been informed that HOge
agreed or arranged at FairmOnt to
give Lucas "a clear field in 1882, or
words of like purport, Mr.. Payne
said that any one who said there was
such an agreement told a "d-n lie, ="
or that the report is d-n lie. "
This is substantially correct to the
best of my recollection.
Yours Truly,
j. G.. RALPuSNIDER
Mr.. Clarence T. Smith, Clerk Of
the Circuit Court Of Marion county,
writes to General Joseph Sprigg, of
Moorehele. Hardy county, as fol-
lows:
FARMONT, July 20, 1882
Dear Sir: Your letter of the
18th instant, requesting to know
what information | had IN relation
to the pretended agreement between
Judge Hoge ana Mr.. Payne, came
duly to hand, and will say in reply
that the only knowledge | have was
| derived from a short conversation
with Mr.. Payne. During the even
ing of the day on which we held the
Congressional convention In this
place, | heard rumOr to the effect
| that such an agreement had been
entered into between the friends of
Judge Hoge and Mr.. Lucas, and,
being a staunch friend of Mr.. Ben
Martin, was indignant and had
some interest in ascertaining the
truth of the report, and at the Mar
tinsburg convention, | approached
Mr.. Payne on the subject, and he
told me that there was no such ar
rangement entered into.
(From the Barbour JeHersouiaa
A CORRECTION OF JOHN BARTON
PAYNE'S CELEBRATED MEMO
RANDUM.
Mr.. John Barton Payne has pub
lished what purports to be a memo
randum of an agreement between
/ himself and Hon. John Blair HOge
whereby Hoge agreed not to be q
candidate for a second term in case
Lucas would withdraw in his favor
at the Fairmont Congressional con
yention. This agreement the Judge
stamps as false and gives several
good reasons why it could not be
true, We believe what Judge Hoge
says aboutit. In the memorandum
above referred TO MIR. Payne says;
II then went to Mr.. Lucas, and
told him What | bad done. lie was