The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-03-22
VIRGINIA ASPIRANTS.
OF THE Result OF THE
CONFERENCE TO BE HELD TO-DAY.
A Free Race and a Fair Field VIII Proba-
bly, be the ResuIt-No Bind
ing Action.
TIMys BUREAU, RAPLEY BUILDING,
WASHINGTON. March n 1893.

ASHINGTOS, March Il, 1873
There is the devil to pay in the camp Of
the Virginia delegations tonight. The
political sky was serene and bright this
morning in anticipation Of harmonious
arrangement of the State Federal Offices
upon the morrow. About noon to-day a
cloud appeared mo larger than a mans
hand I'm the open revolt OF one candi-
date, who felt assured that he would not
receive that consideration that his merits
and Endorsements deserve. This senti-
ment has rapidly grown with the declin-
ing hours Of the afternoon. and now at
midnight there is imminently pending a
storm that presages the complete de-
struction of the contemplated plans Of the
Virginia Congressman.
There being six Federal offices. three
each, in the Eastern and Western dis
tricts, which are especially coveted. and
upon which there must Of necessity be an
agreement among the ten members Of
the congressional delegation. leaves neces-
sarily four Of the COngressmen, the ap-
plicants from whose districts would be
left without the shadow Of a chance for
appointment should the caucus-like man
ner be pursued. This fact has had the
effect to-day of terminating in the minds
Of many OF the candidates especially
from districts I'm which new members
have been elected. and also in other dis
tricts, that there possibly may nave
been effected a combination which would
effectively initiate against them ire
spective Of the excellent character OF their
recommendation within the State and
the advantageous assistance which they
have obtained from other political
sources.
These restless, uneasy and unsatisfied
candidates, who having plunged Into the
maelstrOm OF ofiice-seeking. do not pro-
pose to teOpardize their chances on the
whim. perhaps. Of a Congressman from
another part of the State. whose single
vote might bring n majority against them.
have aDpcaIed TO their representatives,.
and urge in many instances that they re
frain from being absolutely bound by the
ir0n-clad determination Of the majority.
The euccess Of the proposed meeting
Tomorrow hargs trembling In the bal
ance tonight and among the scores or
candidates here on the ground there is
exhibited a spirit Of unrest that seriously
threatens the perfection OF the cohtem-
plated plans.
CONGRESSMAN Meredith takes the bold
stand tonight that he cannot conscien-
tiouslv allow n dictation as to who shall
be the candidate from his district. lie
sensibly holds that any Of his cor sutuents
have a perfect right I'm the exercise OF
their American citizenship 10 apply for
whatsoever Office they may deem nt ana
that he as their representative, has no
discretion to barter away their inherent
right at the suggestion Of any man. Ihe
spirit is fast obtaining that it should be
a free race and a fair field for any man
who desires 10 enter for competition, and
n there has not been a precorcerted ac-
ton II Is more than likelv that the strong
demands Of the candidates will be Needed
bv their congressmen, and I'm the early
meeting which has been called for
o'clock tomorrow morning at the Ebbltt
House. there viii be p conservatism dis
PLAYED by several OF the congressman,
which will operate 10 the practical annul-
ment Of the programme heretofore ar
ranged.
This view Of the situation by the various
candidates is exceedingly strengthened
bv the intimatiOn which comes direct
from Mr. Cleveland 70 the effect that the
Endorsement Of even solid delegations will
not be considered as an absolute and un-
conditional ground for appointment. This
reservation by the Executive Of the ap-
pointive power. responsive TO the wishes
OF the people, and untramelled by the
dictation ~ political delegations yields
TO each candidate an opportunity for
fair consideration that "A majority OF
them tonight do not purpose TO unwit-
ingly resign. ii. l.. w.