The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-10-07

which, possibly might have been miscon-
strued 10y the latter in its intention.
Chairman ratteson also briefly spoke in
support OF Colonel Bisger's request.
THE RESIGNATION ACCEPTED.
Mr.. IL. NJ Smith, Jr. said he had great
respect for Mr.. Meredith personally, but
hi. respect for the Democratic party cx-
ccoded that ior any individual. and he
did not think the cluD would show any
disrcspect TO Mr.. Meredith in accepting
his resignation. Colonel Bigger hnally
Withdrew Ais request but Sir. Julian
Bryant stated that he knew positively
that 10 was 4lr. Moredith's urgent request
10 haF' bis resignation accepted az the
meeting. and the resignaflon of Mr.
Meredith was then accepted without any
dissenting voice.
The resignation of Mr.. Thomas Atkin-
son as member OF the club was then
read, and promptly accepted.
IL was then decided TO go into an oloc-
uon OF "a president of the club TO sue
cecd Alr. G.. y. Meredith. and Mr.. II. 81.
TYLER nominated AR. jefferson Wallace.
Colonel Bigger ana Dir. Dawson second
ed the nomination, and Mr.. Wallace was
chosen by acciamatlOn
Ar. Mluetrco TOlkes. on behalf OF
the 1iiy Demn-lltio Committee. present
cd iie fo"h4tdu Club with two portraits
VI Alcssrs. Bryan and Sewal
Mf. Jefferson Wallace. the now chair
man. tnen called on Captain John A.
curtis, the Heu-knOwn "whcel-horse OF
the democracy, 10 accept the pictures
on "enaI OF the club. but that gentleman
expressed DIS regrets at not bein. able
TO rise on account of boins afflicted with
the gout.
POOR CLEVELAND
The chair then called on air. Charles
vi. Wallace Jr., another member Of Mar
shall ward, and tire Bryan and Sewall
eIector from the Third district. who
gracefully responded, Notwithstanding
the Tact that Che invitation had been
rendered TO him secondhand.
MI. ~. Micfarlane Jones then moved
that the picture of President Grover
Cleveland, which adorns the wall Of the
club room behind the cnair Of the pres-
dent OF the club, be taken down and
rnod 20 the wall
Mr.. Julian Bryant entered his protest
against such action. and Mr. H. NJ ry-
lcf stated that he had been m favor
and voted for the resolution previously
adopted. endorsing tho candidates and
the Chicago platform. He thought. how
warranted impoliiic and uncalled for.
He. therefore. offered as a substitute
that the pictures of Messrs Bryan and
sowoll be hung in the most prominent
place. ana that the picture OF Mr. Cltyc-
land boz given an Appropriate place.
Mr. H. NJ Smith. Jr.. spoke lu favor
Of the substitute. and Mr.. Jones deClar-
od that ho intenied bis motion flr a
scst. II man declared himself for
Messrs. Bucknor * Co. De practically
came ont fer Mr. Mckinley. and 'he
picture Of such a man should not be hung
on the walls OF he Powhatan Club. for
be had shirked his duty and dehcd his
parry
Mr. Tyler advised that the club should
M this time rather make friends than
enemies.
Mr. Charles VI. Wallace. Jr.. suggested
that Mr.. Cleveand's picture Doe presented
10 the headquarters of Messrs. Palmer
and Bucknor. After some further dis
cussion the substitute offered hy Mr.
Tyler was adopted hy q vote Of % 10 E.
and the sergeant-at-arms directed to
carry ont the Instructions OF the club
AZ this stage Of the procedure Mr.. ,
Is. Bisscr announced that since the begia-
ni"g OF the meeting he had read letter
l'o'iNed from Mr.. Meredith. and that d.
would read the same TO the club. lie
explained that he had been Of the oplnion
l"Ht lhtsmuch as The Powhatan club inn
posed upon ITS members the pledoo -
support the nominees of the narfv a.
SOON as member decided TO disre,orl
l..'' Helse' he ceased 10 be a member
W '"' ciuD' and would therefore NOT h,-.
t,, ".," oi rendering his resignation
y, ~" ,,''i 'iew he had written d, hfr
','iiIu a. private letter n few, INV o.
10 Whieh hc had just received a -
" "ni1h was 1s follows. 'p'''
"e following is the fun text NJ NJ
MercdltAs letter: u MI'
r.,.. hichmond. Va. October 6. 1896.
'yii" beh Bigger. Esq.
c,i,.,'i ~, ioufs ot the 5th was re-
''.u ana read yesterday Bur + ~,
u'"ei 20 answer it then. would
to''p 'po"e my answer sull longer. but tbat
'"o o"H"lan club meets to-nigbf and
W. ."o" some anxiety Tor an answer
.-N To- AhoW my wishes and ex-
..'.'oiS "7 lo the disposition" Of NV
- - ''''''O"' AS 10 the expectations" ]
'o"e' as leave 10 the club 10 saw
What disposition 10 will make of 8,
~ my wishes YOU already know thar
nave Tried 10 keep the club from tn,
ing any position AS TO the Brvan and
9eWall ticket. knowing It's divided sonti-
ncnt' and believing that any declaratfo,
or support of that ticket woulI ond.p,or
the Iuture continuance OF the club. But
as ineie mas been of late some demand
Dy certain members of the club. that if
should pledge its support TO the BRYAN
ana SewaH ticket I sent i'm my rcsigna-
tion that my position and views might NOT
hamper them i'm getting the club TO decide
which course il would pursue. Bur il
is my positive and earnest desire. thar
If the club shall i'm any manner endorse
the nomination of Messrs. BRYAN and
Sewai my resignation shall be accented
AN UNFOUNDED THEORY.
But you inform me that. If have de-
termined not 10 vote for those candidates.
have thereby severed my connection
with the club. as It's constitution requires
that an Of its members shall support the
nominees of the Democratic party as
long as they remain members OF the club.
And that having so severed my connec-
tiOn. 1 can not resign. but that my office
is vacant. | cannot for "a moment ac-
cept such an unfounded and unjust the
ory, that "a man. before doing an act.
but merely in anticipation thereof can
not resign. so as 10 be free 20 do the
act. | do not propose to discuss furthcr
the correctness OF such an idea, bur
merely 70 say that, II such a course Of
treating my resignation has been deter
mined on, as you seem 70 think. ! regret
that you should advise me % withdraw 1t.
for / think that in the light OF such pos
sibility, l should quietly allow my resg-