Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1884-08-30
T.ExTNGTON INTELI4IC
FIFTH MISSOURI DISTRICT.
1Erom the st. Louis Republican,

From the st. Louis Republican,
The Lexington Intelligcncer has an
exhaustive article on the subject OF the
Wallace-Gravcs muddle i'll the fifth
congressional district. 1t gives with
apparent impartiality a review of the
proceedings leading up to the separa-
ton of the delegates, and concludes
that there was no lawfully organized
convention i'll that district.
The Intelligenccr says:
"We have stated, fully our objections
to the action of the opposition to Mr..
Wallace in the convention. We do not
believe it can be commended in calm,
di~spassionate discussion, that "
delegates out of 6S a organ-
ize a convention. The Graves men
took the position that the contested
Delegates could not vote. The uncon-
tested delegates exercised their right
to refrain from voting. This left nc
quorum on the vital question OF .he
committee on credentials. And the
absurdity, III the face of the position
taken, of acting upon a motion OF MI
PAYNE, a contestant in the fourth us
trict, speaks for itself. The admission
of Mr.. Paync's delegation upon OK,
parte evidence, in a district that voted
for Mr.. Wallace, also speaks for 1t
self. -,
"Now as to Mr.. Wallacc's side OF the
question. His delegation undoubtedly
had the right upon its side while it re-
NAMED in the convention. 1t was
ruthlessly trampled upon. The steady,
apparent, pre-arrangcd purpose was 70
admit the contestants; they were even
| suffered to participate in the proceed
ings before they could adduce violence
| to establish any sort OF right; but the
| Wallace men, having submitted to Inc
| Temporary organization, should lave
remained in tho convention to the end.
A division gave the opportunity for
two nominations. 1t gave the pretcXt
for the adverse vote in tho Graves body
from the fourth, district, and it placed
the majority OF the convention III the
attitude of boiling, thus doing an IN
Justice to its nominee, claim
ing to desire the representation OF the
popular voice it was compelled i'll Or
der to nominate Wallace to disregard
the wishes of the people i'll the second
district; and it deprived itself of the
opportunity in good faith to n 8 the
vote of that district for Franklin.
Beside this, it had abundant knowledge
that there were contests i'll two dis
tricts, and 1t took no steps to hcal
them. The futility of any sucf
attemrt cannot excuse the neglect
There was a right at stake, however
illy supported, and it should have beer
respected.
1--WE conclude, therefore that neither
body was a lawfully constituted and
lawfully conducted congressional con
v%ention, worthy of the respect or sup
port of the democrats of the fifth con
gressional district. We regard tn
present situation, with two candidate
In the field, as i~ntolerable-a conces
sion of the district to the republicans
At such a time as this, when demo
cratic discussions threaten to han'
, back the house OF representatives t
the republican party, the great body o
the people, who are more interested Il
l the success Of the party than in tn
ambition of men, should rise in thei
, might and take the management int
i their own hands. The factlonal pre-
ceedings of this week should be ignor
, ed, and partisan committees should b
asked to give way. This is a questio
for the democrats of the district t
settle, there is ample time to do it. b
a primary election in the entire distrlc!
+ Settled by the voice of the democrat
3 voters it will be settled indeed; arrane
| ed in any other way there will still b
: room for carping and d%issension. L.
the democrats of the district vote on i
0 and to their voice every true man wi
say, amen!
This reasoning seems fair, and sinc
Mr.. Wallace has declined to withdra'
u from the race az an act of self denia
we see no course left as promising fo
the people aud the party as the oil
suggested of RENTING the whole que
g ton to a primary election by the den
n ocratic voters of the whole district,
e be held in each of the counties OH Il
same day and under regulations appl.
u = ing to all alike. MI. Graves, in a pm
lished card, has agreed to abide by Il
action of the state GENITAL committe
Let the state committee propose Il
primary election, and let the democrat
j. of the district determine which II
:, their number shall represent them
: congress.