Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-07-25

man Manley's letter on the question of can
didates in the Second Congressional district
of Tennessee:
New YORK CITY, June 2Sth, 1894.
Hon. r. W. Austin, Chairman Of the Re
publican Committee Of the Second Dis
trict of Tennessee, KnOTuille, Tenn.
srR:-The appeal of the Republican Con-
gressisnal Committee of the Second Dis
tct of Tennessee, accompanied by all the
papers filed by your committee, Judge H.
Il. Gibson ard Hon. John G. Houk, with
! the National Congressional Committee, to
me as chairman of the Republican National
Executive Committee to review their action
! in declaring that Hon. John G. Houk re-
ceived majority of the legal votes for the
nomination for Congress on March 10th,
and that he is the regular nominee OF the
party, was duly received.
After thorough deliberation and con-
sideration of the facts, desire to advise
your committee that approve its action as
regular and just in the light of the facts and
endorse the decision of the National Con-
gressional Committee to that effect as emf
nently proper and in the interests Of perfect
party harmony and success.
The National Committee has original
jurisdiction over the control Of cam
psigns in presidential years, while the
| National Congressional Committee has
original jurisdiction over the con-
troll of Congressional campaigns in off
years. But it is the duty of the National
Committee to cooperate with and aid the
National Congressional Committee in off
years. in promoting harmony in the party
and the election of its regular nominees,
and this committee will do all that it can in
proper and consistent way to aid your
committee aud its legitimate successor,
when chosen in September next. in giving
Hon. John G. Houk the usual Republican
majority.
The National Executive Committees of
the Republican party were originally organ
lied for the purpose, and have always been
charged with the duty of looking after the
Republican representatives and delegates
in Congress from the several districts in
the states and territories.
1t has always been the first duty of these
committees, in the election years, to keep
themselves informed of the course of Re-
| publican events and to inquire into and
ascertain the condition of the party organi-
cation in the various districts of the Union.
In the discharge of their duties, and to
the end of securing the election of Repub-
lican representatives and delegates, they
have ever since the organization of the Re-
publican party invariably examined into
and sought to promote organization and
harmony in the party everywhere. For
these purposes, uninfiuenced by whatever
local passions or prejudices that may exist,
these committees have always been recog-
nized by all loyal Republicans as the proper
tribunal to adjust party disputes and differ
ences, and settle conflicting claims among
the Republican Congressional candidates as
to party nominations.
While it is readily conceded that neither
natl onal committee has the power to inter-
fere with aud dictate the party organization
of any Congressional district, it has been
the immemorial usage in all cases where
disputes have arisen and more than one or
ganization sets up claim to regularity, for
the national committees to recognize that
organization which they believe to be regu-
lar, and to determine which candidate is en-
titled to the recognition and support of the
national organic alton of the Republican
party.
This is all that is done or attempted in
this case, aud it is suggested to the Repub-
lican voters of the second Congre sional
district of Tennessee that it is for them to
decide whether they will support a candi-
date whom the national organization re-
CARDS as irregular and not in harmony with
the party, and therefore ia the attitude of a
bolter, and not in position to command
and exercise influence with the party at
large, or whether they will give loyal sup
port to the candidate recognized and en-
titled to its confidence and necessarily in
fluential with it in its national character.
In this communication it is considered
wholly unnecessary and useless to enter
into discussion or review in detail of IL e
various points involved in the action of the
National Congressional committee which
have been so clearly and logically set out
in the report of that committee.
The action of Mr.. Houk from the begin
ming of the controversy has teen that of a
true and unseldsh Republican, commenda-
bic in every respect, especially his action
in deferring bis personal Canvass until after
the August eli ctions in the interest of your
local tickets, and the frank and temperate
manner il which he presented his claims
to the National Congressional committee,
and his repeated propositions heretofore to
arbitrate the controversy in the interest of
the party.
He is recognized in Washington. and
tn olghout the country, as sound on the