The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-03-22
Mr.. Wlse's Address.

carer I'll Thought Oh the party. IL 10 graz
flying to see that interest is being mani
tested in the condition of the party. and
the necessity recognized of modifying the
plan of organization, as we'll as the mar
agement under which the plan has been
administered. 1t is only necessary for the
attention of the popular mind to be called
to the arbitrary and despotic power lodged
with the chairman ard the utter disregard
for and want of respect for the people its
provisions impose Tor an earnest demand
to he made for radical change. with
oat proposing al this time to discuss the
plan formulated by Mr.. Wise. we Will sim
DIV point out one defect, which we have no
doubt he will recognize when his attention
is called to it. 1t is in the LIST section of
article ID where it is required that the
estate Chairman shall designate from the
State Committee two or four members
who with him shall constitute the EXecu-
tive Committee This should be changed
to meet the ger era spirit of the address
and the plan, SO as to provide for four
members. in addition to the Chairman, TO
be selected from the four grand divisions
OF the State and appointed 10y the dele
gates in state Convention. constituting
the representation from such dlyisl0ns
This would come nearer the idea OF popu-
lar representation. and locate responsible
lty upon the people in the selections. 1t
would remove the objection that has been
urged and which has caused much dissat-
isfacton. Of too much power and influence
being conferred upon the Chairman, and at
the same time would relieve him OF re-
sponsbility and embarrassment that onght
not 20 be imposed upon him.
What is alb ,olutely necessary in remodel
Ing the plan of organization and the adj
mnistration of the affairs of the party
under it, is to get as nearly as possible, con-
sistent with efficient work, to the people.
Let them understand that they have a
work to do and a responsibility to meet,
not only in The arrangement OF the plan.
but in its working, and that it IS expected
of them to take vigl!ant5 interest in all
that pertains to party organization and
party management.
The pronounced views Of Mr.. Wise on
the unit rule are in conformity with the
law of the party. Itwas an attempt to
enforce the unit rule in the National
Convention of 1880, which came very near
" breaking up that body without making
Presidential ticket The Convection of
1884 simply obeyed the recommended of
the Convention of 1880, in the policy it re-
commended, and the National Committee
in December last merely carried out the
purpose of the National Conventions OF
1880 and 1884 in the rule It adopted for the
election of delegates. In a recent letter
from Hon. b. f. Jones. Chairman of the
National Committee. to one of the edit Is
of the VIKGINIAN, he says: Ia reply to
your letter of the 10th ult., l beg to say
that under the action Of the National Re-
publican Convention Of 1884 (sea official
proceedings. page 50 whatever has been
the manner of nominating members OF
Congress in any district, is the manner in
which the Congressional delegates repre-
senting that district, must be chosen" So
any attempt of /, State Convention to bind
the delegates from the districts to the
the unit rule would be nulity, and would
not be respected by the National Con-
Yention
The observance Of this law of the party
would necessarily preclude any such thing
as pledged delegation from the State fol-
any candidate. Each district will have
the undoubted right to vote its choice in
the convention. whatever mi sht be the ac
ton of the State Convention. and unless
there was a concurrence Of opinion as tG
the candidate with all the delegates unit
vote could not he expected and certainly
could not be enforced.
With the adoption by the State Conyen-
ton Of some such plan as Mr.. Wise proposes
and the election of a Chairman in sympa
thy with it, we believe the party could be
united, and if united the State could be car
rled for the Republican ticket. provided
the nominations are not effected by packed
delegates from other States.
The people are III no mood for any fool
ishness or for the tricks and arts of The
trading politicians. The ticket must re-
fleet the popular Will must be selected il
Difference to it. and with this done, We
believe it would be endorsed by majority
of the popular and electoral votes of The
country because of the principles and pol
icies it would represent aid the best III
terests of the county it would consult.
1t is natural. by reason OF their persona
relations, thar Mr.. Wise should SPEAK
kindly OF the present chairman aud toucl
lightly upon his harsh. ill-jndged and ruin
Gus administration of the party7s affairs
We are gratied that be has done so. L
is enough that his most steadfast aD(
prominent frie,d now sees the errors that
have been commitled-the abuse of powe
that has been despoic lily exeIcised-tht
fragrant wrongs which have been perpe
trated. II is enough. at this late hour
that the fact is recognized that a change
is absolutely essential for a hope to be en-
couraged of a vigorous and successful par
ty existence in Virginia The mild regret
expressed that the recent secret circular
was issued is III c0nSonance with the
spirit that pervades the address. but that
does not measure the Indignation Of the
great mass of the people for the hideous
plot. the deep seated treachery and alb
sorbing sellishness which were the source
of the circular. Let that pass. however
and let the Republicans of the State, fully
impressed with the immipent danger of The
situation address themselves to the work
of reforming the lines, and marshalling all
the influences that are within the party tC
revitalizing and clystalizing its forces te
the end that a successful campaign may
be waged this fall. Wetrust this courage
Gus step of Mr.. Wise may prove the silver
lining behind tile clouds which en-
velop and will bring the fruition of a
united party inspired hy the sympathy
and earnest support Of the people. and
march forward to victory in November
next.
Claim Allowed.
Congress on The 10Th passed bill allow
sng claim of 81 345 is for. tobacco taken
Inv Cen. Ayerill' S command from Mrs. EliZ-