Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1882-07-18
THE FAIRMONT AGREEMENT.
[From the Kingwood Argus ]

that you will in this issue publish letter
from Judge Hoge in relation to the arrange>
/ mont made between him and myself at the
Fairmont Convention in July, 1880, deem
it but just that I should at the same time
| publish the facts rs they occurred, so that the
| public would be in possession of tho whole
| case at once.
The heated contest between the four as
pirants before that Convention will be res
membered by all. After the Adjournment
for supper had been made, Mr. Lucas came
to me at the supper table at the Continental
Hotel and asked me what thought of the
situation 1 responded that he could not
| get the nomination. He then asked me what
had better DO done. Irepled that scarcely
knew. He then said: "You do what YOU
think best. L then hastily finished my
supper and went directly to Judge Hoge's
| room where he and several friends. among
them Judge @. J. Faulkner, Jr., and Col
| W. I. Stewart, of Berkeley, were. L called
Judge Hoge out to little veranda at the
hotel, and there, after some preliminary re.
marks, made to him tho distinct proposition
that If he would not be a candidate for re-
nomination for Congress in this district two
years from that time, in the ovent that Mr..
Lucas should be a candidate, that then the
friends of Lucas-he- Withdrawing, would
vote Tor and thereby nominate him (Hoge).
| cuuSo l1oSe tcnecteo momont aad replied
tnat ne would not make such an arrangement
without consulting his friends. He excused
himself, left me standing on the veranda and
went into his room whore his friends were.
After an absence of several minutes he re.
turned to me and requested me to re,state
the proposition. 1 did so, and he then ac-
oepted 1t. aud requested that upon my return
home make . memorandum in writing of
the matter, which promised to do
In tho conversation suggested TO Judge
Hoge that in all probability be would not de-.
sire re>nomination-that he had good
prospect of succeeding II. G.. Davis in the
Senate but this did not enter into the agrees
ment. l remarked to him that this was
merely suggestion. I went from Judge
Hoge to Mr.. Lucas and in Informed him what
had done. He seemed satisfied, but expressed
some fear as to our ability to nominate Hoge
unless Capt. Bradford would withdraw. Ithen
went directly to the Mountain City House saw
Capt. Bradford, told him that myself and
others were anxious to secure the nomination
OF Hoge, and that it could be done if he
would withdraw. He consented then
went to MIR. Lucas aud informed him of this,
aud he at once started for the Convention
then reassembling in the Courtyard, and
from MIR: Lucas 1 went to Hoge, who was
still at his room waiting my return, and in>
formed him that the arrangement was COM
SUNNI returned at once to the Con.
| Ventlon and when 1 arrived there Mr.. Lucas
was addressing the Convention, withdrawing
from the contest. These are the facts in do
tail. From this Convention [ went to the
State Convention at Martinsburg, thence to
Fauquler county, Va, where l remained
few weeks (about two) and did not make
the memorandum until my return homo, when
made it. put it in my safe where it re-,
mnined until I received the following lottor
from Judge Hoge, to-wit:
~, ~, "MARTISsBURG. Dec. &c. 1881.
| hy lear SSr-A gentleman has lust called
upon me with an inquiry which involves this
lnterVlew you bad with at the Fairnont
him as to the terms of our confetene Ss nnti
heard from YOU as it was understood that you
YOU m0uio maze an Immediate note of it aud give
denoe In You, am content to abide by your
E Ssateme1., partSalarly as being contemPo-
more accurate than any more recollection of my
As you will remember, I conferred with nv
friends; stating to them plainly the points of
The inquiry made of mo is tho result of some
} Sinerence OF recollection among them. which,
My purpose in writing has no other sgnitica-
eion or scope than to learn your own statement
or n TnPS to rely upon my own recollection,
, It may be proper to add that made tbis in.
aairy of Mr.: Morrow. who suppose has sc co Ia
heard from him and learn that be isF not h %.
fa"mont' am very sincerely yeurs:
To Jno. Barton Payne, Esq. Kinewood. WA.
The following is the memorandum as made
, at the time aforesaid, which has ever since
been in my possession. The only difference
between the memorandum and tho statement
above, Is that the memorandum is a moro res
sumo OF the facts, and the statement sets out
, all the circumstances in detail.
TIE MEMORANDUM.
AZ fhe Congressional Convention. at Fair
supper, Mr.. Lucas having finished his supper.
same 90 me. Upon consultation we concluded
+ nation, and authorized me to do what seemed
pest Ia the premises: thereupon went to Jud ge
woald agree not to ask nomination two yea T
IRON that time, IN case Mr.. Lncas should be a
friesSs of Ior me nomaiination, that then the
tsst.wGuld vote for and thereby nominate
aGge Judge aoae retired, consulted with his
aud requested that make a memorandum in
tbea gsS 9t IL tns I'm matter upon my return home
zone GONE t he vas entirely satisfied, but expressed
so nI hear about our ability to nominate HoGe.
, Bradford could be gotten of the track there.
hpon vent up street; saw Capt. Brad ford, told
him that myself and others were an xious to Sc
euro the nomination of Hoge instead of Martin =,
and that it could be done if no would withdrsw'
started at once for the Convention. then rsas.
sembliag; I then went to tell Hoee When
fact that in all DO would not dos ire
Il: had n d.. FS9a
did not enter into the arrangement.
JNo. BARTON PAYNE.
This memorandum was made by INC at a
time when the whole matter was fresh in nv
! hain