Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1894-08-25

uNTRUR TO HIS PARTY.
EDITOR MItchsll's'Plea.


The Third Congressional District Re
publican Committee met last Wedncs-
day, 22nd inst, at 12 O'Clock. There
are Eve members of this committee, one
of whom Editor MITCHELL is colored.
Present Hon. J. w. Southwark, of
Henrico Co., Va, Mejor Joseph Walker
of Chesterfield Co., Mr. Wray T. Wright
and Editor John Mitchell, Jr., of Rich
mond City.
Hon. ]. w. Southward was elected
chairman and John Mitchell, Jr., Sec'y.
Mr.. Bernard Teylor of King William
Co., was the only absentee.
The purpose of the meeting was to de-
eide whether or not q convention for
this district should be called to place
candidate in the field.
Editor Mitchell stated that it had
been alleged that Mr.. Wray T. Knight,
who was present had renounced the Re
publican party, voted in the Democratic
primary and subsequently voted for the
Democratic nominee.
1t was alleged that Major r. F. Walk
er had done the same thing. He desired
to hear an explanation from Mr.. Knight
| In reply Mr.. Knight said he had enter
ed the Democratic primary, voted for
| the Democratic nominee and would
make no apology TO the committee for
his actions.
This statement was severely criticised
| by Mr.. Mitchell, who declared that an
explanation to the committee was neces-
sary.
MR.. KNIGHTS POSITION.
| Further queries by the members of the
| committee were answered by the gentle
| man that he had nothing more to say,
| and he had acted TO suit himself. Edi-
tor Mitchell said he did not intend to
| act hastily in the matter. When Mr.
Knight acted il the manner charged. he
had addressed letter to him, also one
to Msjor r. f. Walker and'no reply had
been sent.
He had not raised the question in the
meeting of the Republican State Com
mittee ut Washington, because as MIR.
1 Knight had been elected in the district,
the charges should be formulated here.
In view of the circumstances he moved
that the pcsitiS-. ield by Mr.. Knight be
declared vacant.
MAJOR WALKER TALKs--
Msior Joseph Walker said that he pre-
sumed that Mr.. Knight had done az had
other Republicans when there was no
candidate of the Republican Party in the
field, they had voted with the Populists
or the Democrats. He had hoped that
Mr.. Knight would make an explanation,
but he presumed that it was on account
, of personal feeling or wounded pride
that he declined so to do. He was not
ready to vote for the resolution, but
would ask Mr.. Knight whether or not he
, would support the Republicans and act
in accordance with the principles of the
, | party.
Mr.. Knight declined to answer, simply
contenting himself with saying that he
could Judge from his record.
q Msjor Walker, in no wise Disconnected
! pleaded that it would not do at this
! stage to place Mr.. Knight outside of the
| committee. Harmony was wanted.
He had himself voted for the Populist
candidate for Governor
: Mr.. MITCHELL Were you in the Popu-
' list Convention that nominated him ?"
Msjor Walker.l Il was not"
EDITOR AnTcBELL's CHARGES.
q Mr.. Mitchell then declared that the
!. cases were not parallel. Here was q
/. gentleman who by entering the Demo
4 | cratic primary Joined that party and
I had voted for it's nominees. He had
e publicly stated that he had renounceC
+. the Republican party, and would act
e with the Democratic party. The fac
b that he lad voted in the primary was IL
v itself renUnciation of the Republican
Party.
,s Mr.. Mitchell desired to know whethe
is a man could be member Of two partie
n at the same time.
,e He wanted to know how far into tn
r Democratic party must man get befor
ar he relinquished his membership in tn
Ie Republican Party.
lg HOW HE HAD BEEN HoNoRED.
Mr.. Knight had been chairman OF til
L. District COMMITTEES. The Republica
n party had honored him, aud as a result
SIS he had secured a government position
D. and drawn hundred of dollars in salar.
Id proven untrue, while thousa1 ds of r
q. publicans, who had never protited frol
tn financial standpoint as a result OF II
membership in tae party rems med tru
lie, fYou may have harmony in this con
rtI mittee," declared the Editor" but you
is have trouble on the outside. The non
ne inee of the Republican party will
Ill most concerned about harmony on Il
j. outside. There are numbers of Repub
st. cans enquiring about this matter and
Iy. settlement should be had here.
81. / have nothing to say about M
ST Knights personal character, but his p
on litical character is very bad. He is p
10 litical turn-cOat.
REPUBLICANs ARE WATCHING.
of 4 The Republicans are watching the 6
{ a ton of this committee. 1t is whether
for man who has proven false to the part
ex violated the party law, and ignor
Isi- party precedent shall place himself
red line for party preferment should we v
md in '96. We do not propose to have it {
op- 1t is unfair to the true and tried Repu
P. licans who have rallied under the flag
On the party through victory and defeat.
If Major Walker had been in
ro- convention of the POpulists and v
He ted for the Populist nominees, he woT
then be = Populist. A man col
ORC vote the POpulist ticket and yet mai
~, tain his standing as Republican, WI
w our party had no nominees. He insist
'er, that Mr.. Knight had by his action '
M. Gated his place upon the committee a
der while he could be Republican he VOL
Hip have to be accepted into the party j
as any other Democrat would be.
II claimed that MIR. Knights declinat
1av to make an explanation was an ins
to the committee. Mr.. Southwark 8,
he hoped Mr.. Knight would explain.
ON Major Walker said he desired more
was formation relative to the charges bef
he voted. He thought Mr.. Knights
linatlon to talk was due to perso
TT pique, and he thought a recess of tive
:. ia minutes would be sufficient to ARA
- a a