The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-26
THE REPUBLICAN RUMPUS.
Chairman Allan and Judge Waddlll Reply
10 Col. William Lamb.
A LETTER FROM THB STATE CHAIRMAN
To Mr.. Allan Made PubIic-Thc Latter
Makes some Poignant Thrusts at the
CoIoneI-CombInations and Tricks.
What Judge Waddil Says.

Chairman Edgar Allan. Of the City Re-
publican Committee, was asked last
night what he had 20 say in reply to
Colonel Lambs interview as to the trou-
bic between the two party leaders. lie
replied as follows.
Colonel Lamb interview in me
Times indicates that the beginning Of
the trouble between him and myself
arose out of the fact that / did not
know It was necessary that / should
give expressions Of pleasure. which 1 did
not feel. at his selection 10 the two
places OF State chairman and national
committeeman after he had secured them
by bare majority Of the State Com
mittee.
1T would have been a species Of hypo-
crsy, which ! cannot practice for me
10 have sent such a message, and thus
be the supple hinges OF the knee that
thrift might follow fawning," which he
seems TO have required at my hands.
did not think, and do not now think,
that either he or the Republican party
of this State is to be congratulated on
the policy adopted in the Capitalization
Of power. which he secured by making
combinations against many Of his friends.
who. like myself, would cheerfully nave
supported him for either Of the two
places. and with those who went 10 the
committee meeting bitterly hostile TO lhs
being elected 10 either place.
Il kept perfectly quiet until Colonel
Lamb had published several interviews
declaring that he was the unanimous
choice of the committee. ! knew thls
10 be untrue, and he knew that only by
a bare majority and his own determined
efforts and combinations had the commit
against any one man holding the two
places he sought. Then when l was IN
reviewed. 1 did say he had solicited the
nlaces and can prove that ne wrote
letters so doing before he went to re
tersburg. lie then wrote me a letter.
which boasts Of his own success When
his friends were alarmed 9nd tFsed
him TO run for one place only. Inc Ieller
IS as follows:
THE LETTER.
Norfolk Va. Dec. q, 1870.
General Edgar Allan, Washington, y. c..
Dear Sir.-A friend has sent me the fol-
loving item, published in "a Virginia
newspaper:
WASHINGTON correspondence Of the Alex
andria Gazette. General Edgar Alan OF
Richmond talking to-day about Colonel
Lambs assertion that the two honoIs re-
Gently conferred on him by the Nirsliild
State Committee had come 10 nm uh-
sought said il was wel-kno"h idcl
that the Colonel had solicited for each OF
them with an urgency that was most IN
eeernlv. that he obtained them by the
adoption Of a method that ne tLamo) mao
previously objected to-that of turning out
committeeman opposed TO Lamb and put
ting IN others in favor Of him, and that
he only succeeded by combine with the
late General Mahones most lnVeterate
enemies in his own party.
"The above statments area bsolutely
false. but / have the charity 10 believe
on account of the kind personal relations
which have existed between MS, that YOU
have been misled by misrepresentation.
Immediately after the death OF General
Malone leading Republicans from dii-
ferent parts Of Virginia wrote 10 me
asking me if j would accept the positions
made vacant by his untmely death. !
wrote positively declining the great re-
sponsibility involved. principally on ac-
count of my health and large business
interests. which left me little time FOR
leisure or recreation.
after / had written the replies, ] was
invited North by some distinguished Re
publican leaders and was entertained by
"a naluAtl. lHtN l4AfH llAAVA lAl'N iti' ftttt g.
our great leader. Gen Malone had indi-
Gated 10 them that when he retired be de-
sired me TO take his place, and they re-
Quested me. IL offered, 10 accept the posi-
tions held by General Malone, and they
would assist me in every possible way 10
place Virginia IN the Republican column.
! told them that it would be a great sac
rince OF time, money, and personal COM
fort. but that / did not feel that / had a
right TO refuse to accept this offer 10 re-
deem my native State from the misrule
of Democracy
II came home and wrote TO friends these
facts. and that l did not care 10 accept
the positions from the State Committee,
as il might be considered a put-up job,
but ! would wait until they were rendered
unanimously by a Republican state Con-
vention However my friends insisted
upon my accepting stating that IL was
the almost unanimous wish of the party.
and i consented.
Before the meeting I'm Petersburg ! had
the assurances in writing and 10y verbal
messages from majority of the commit
tee that they were in favor OF my holding
both positions.
1T was my first intention not TO 90 20
Petersburg but upon the earnest request
from the members Of the Ninth district,
and some distinguished Republicans, MOI
members OF the committee Che might have
said living i'm this city, l went there.
After arriving there, and before the
committee assembled, found that
through intrigue influence. still unknown
TO me. they, members OF the committee,
who had voluntarily pledged themselves
TO give me their support had changed and
were meeting in caucus with those who
s-l.. 4
Their place. Some of my friends became
so alarmed on the eve Of the meeting OF
the committee that they came to me and
suggested that l had better refuse to al
low my name as a candidate but for one
place. ! told him that not through any
wish Of mine. but through their pursua-
sion, | was there. and having gone into
the field / should
AS victor exult. or In death be laid
low.
With my back TO the field and my face
10 the foe. 80
81 then went into the commiittee-room
and took charge Of the contest. and dur
ing tee recess for the Committee Of Gre
dentials to act, ] made combinations
which utterly destroyed the intrigucs
against me, and when the fight you led
came on your forces were whipped. de-
moralized and routed. and you were so
spsechlcss with surprise. that if you de-
sired IL, you neither made a nomination
against me. or voted against my election
by reclamation"
Il wrote the present plan Of organiza-
ton of our party. and / understand the
use of the English language. and what
] intended 10 express in every article of
that plan, and tho decisions Of the com
mittee as TO contested seats, were in ac-
cordance with the law. and advised by
me- regardless of the opinion of the con
testants and contestees, none OF whom
We're for me when my positive decision
was announced.