Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-12-11
Senatorial ControycrsY.

Senatorial Controversy.
1t has been generally known that af-
ter the senatorial caucus Gen. Wm. II.
Payne spoke vigorously to Mr.. r. c..
Pitcher, the delegate from Fauquier,
in condemnation of the latter's vote,
which was for Mr.. Martin also, that
in the caucus there came near being a
scene between Senators Stubs and
Washington on account of the latter's
voting the same way These last named
gentlemen had for years been warm,
personal friends, and the next day eX
plantations were made which restored
entirely their amicable relations.
AS bearing upon the Payne. Pitcher
episode, and the charges that have
been current that the Lee men We're
deceived by a number of members upon
whose votes they confidently counted,
the Dispatch published special tee
gram from its Lynchhurg correspond
ent containing an interview with Capt.
Ham. Shepperd, who was one of Gen.
Lees managers. 1t also gives tie other
side as stated by Delegate Pitcher,
Senator Stubs and Col. Carlett Gibson,
the three gentlemen mentioned by
name in the Shepperd interview.
Delegate Pitcher did not attend the
session of the House OH Saturday, but
in the afternoon he was in the lobby OF
the Exchange, and freely discussed the
senatorial contest and the position lie
had taken in the matter. He com
planned of feeling badly.
While talking with several of his ac-
quaintanccs the representative OF the
Dispatch approached him aud showed
him the statements of Captain Ham
Shepperd. Mr.. Pitcher called several of
the members of the Legislature aside,
with the remark, Lets see what
they've been saying about me-" lie re-
quested the reporter to read the inter
view aloud to him. The gentleman
from Fauquier said nothing al ali until
that part of the paragraph containing
the words of General Payne was reach
ed. When the newspaper-man read
the lines, Don't speak to me, sir; !
feel that the touch Of your hand would
disgrace me-" Mr.. Pitcher remarked
| told him l didn't give d-if he
didn't speak"
When the perusal of the publication
was finished the Fauquier representa-
tive said nothing, and the reporter ask
ed him if he had statement to make
or if he cared to publish an explanation
Of the matter.
'No, feel too badly" said the dele
gate, dolefully resting his head on the
morocco back Of the seat.
Mr.. Pitcher looked like a man who
had headache, and as be seemed nm
well, the reporter suggested that he
should confer with some of his friends
and get them to prepare a statement.
This ne promised to do, after which lie
continued to discuss the matter with
the gentlemen standing around. lie
denied that he attended any OF the Lee
conferences.
Mr.. Nicol, one of Lees lieutenants,
who labored most faithfully in behalf Of
the General, called Mr.. Pitchers atten-
ton to the fact that he was present with
Gen. Hunton's friends who assisted IN
bringing about the withdrawal of the
Senator for the purpose of electlng the
Ex-Governor.
eyes. but that was Hunton meet
ing said Mr.. Pitcher.
"I know it was" reported Mr.. Nicol,
"but after we settled the matter about
Hunton the meeting resolved itself IN
10 Lee conference"
The Fauquier representative didn't
seem to lool; al the thing that way.
"Did you pledge yourself to support
General Lee 2" asked the reporter.
"No, did not" said Mr. Pitcher.
"Of course you didn't said Mr.. Nj
col, but you were taken into our conf
dencej inst the same, for you acted in such
way that we counted on you without
doubt. | didn't pledged myself to
Lee either. 1t wasn't necessary. /
don't supnose young Eppa Hunton
pledged himself to support his father
for the short term, but he represented
him in such a manner that the very cir
cumstances indicated his interest. That
was the way with YOU"
Mr.. Pitcher didn't appear to consider
these cases analogous.
"Yes," continued Mr. Nicol, "you
were taken into our confidence, and
you knew all our secrets"
81 have those secrets yet" replied
Mr.. Pitcher. II have disclosed none.
NV vote didn't make any difference,
anyhow" he added.
Mr.. Nicol expressed the opinion that
it did. "The Lee men were so abso-
lutelv certain of you," said he, that
when your name was called and yon
responded for Martin they necessarily
thought something was wrong.
Mr.. Pitcher addressed the following
open letter to the Washington Post,
which contained similar telegram to
that published in the Dispatch;
"My attention was directed to a
statement from Captain Ham. Shep-
perd made at Lynchburg, and publish
ed in your issue of the 9th. For my
vote in the senatorial caucus I have no
apology to make; that responsibility
rests with me and my constituents,
whose highest interests l tried to serve.
Representing their will, | honestly
supported General Hunton as long as
his name was before the caucus: after
that was under no obligation TO vote
r r..,,I T oo Ac tn tho ctntcmau :