The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-07-17
Meeting of the State Republican
COMMITTEES.


Washington Post.
The Republican State committee of
Virginia, Gen. William Malone. chair
man. concluded it's deliberations at
Chamberlain's Hotel, Washington, on
Wednesday, the 9th, and most of the
members Of the committee left for their
homes during the day Although there
was prolonged debate on the set of res
olutions presented on Tuesday, the com
mittee was unanimous in it's action,
which is fully set forth in the following:
q In pursuance of section 2, article 3. of
the party code, which provides that the
State committee ''shall fix the time and
place of all State and congressional CON
ventions OF the party and prescribe the
number OF delegates and alternates for
each county and city in the State and
the mode of electing the same to such
convention" the State committee, at a
meeting held on Tuesday, the 8th day of
July. 1890, after full consideration of
the subject, do declare
First. That inasmuch as there has not
been in this State, as they believe. full
and unhindered exercise of the right of
the elective franchise and an honest re-
tion for Representatives in Congress in
the year 1882, when the election machin-
cry was fairly organized and honestly
administered. save and except in the
Congressional elections of 1886, when
the Republicans carried the State by
10000 and received the returns for seven
of the ten members of Congress- whereas.
according to Democratic authority, had
Mr.. Barbour been at home the count
would have been different
That, inasmuch as in the last State
election it is known that fully $4,000
legally qualified voters were fraudulently
stricken from the registration books, and
by such means the popular will nullified
and State government imposed upon
the people without remedy; and that in
asmuch as it has come to pass that an
election in the State for municipal, State,
or Federal officers under the Democratic
election law, and as administered by
Democratic officials, is mere mOckery,
and that any contention of candidates
opposed to the Democratic machine can
didates only serves to give countenance
to the belief that elections in Virginia
are free and fair
That we for ourselves declare that we
will not participate. and that we advise
all self-respectiug Republicans to forbear
participation, In any election in this
State Except in such districts where the
district committees may elect to call con-
ventiOns) where, and SO long as, the same
shall be conducted under the foul cleo
ton law of the Democratic party, as
now fraudulently administrations
fully biding the time when unlawful dis
franchisement of the electors, and
fraudulent returns, shall become SO
repugnant to popular sentiment as to
m a a 10 IF -
such means badge of dishonor; when
the better thought of the masses shall
realize that an efficient, frugal and pure
administration of public affairs is only
to be reached by fair elections; when, in
fact, it shall be seen that a Republican
form OF Government as guaranteed by
the Constitution of the United States, |
the paramount law Of the land, is al |
lowed or enforced ia Virginia.
But, 10 deference, ana emily in defer
ence, to what may be the wish in same
e. re .distriets, tAla committee hereby
sional committee, that may so determine,
to call district convention to nominate |
q candidate for Congress, and to fix the |
tiMe and place of the same.
Hy directions.
ASA RODGERS, Secretary
The stand taken by the Virginia Re-
publicans in thus practically abandon
ing the political field, save in certain
Congressional districts, was surprising
ia outsiders, but the committeeman
themselves were deliberate in theiT az.
tien, and had evidently weighed the
matter carefully befare the meeting.
The debate was wholly with reference
to making campaigns in districts. So far
as the State in general was concerned,
there was such a unanimity of feeling as
to render discussion unnecessary.
General Malone, when seen by Wash
ing Post reporter, had nothing to say
further than that his views were fully
expressed in the resolutions.
Politicians accept the declaration of
the committee as a strong demand for
the passage of the pending election bill,