Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-06
Virginia Democrats Divided on Sill
yer; Republicans on Patronage.
HISTORY OF FIGHT ON COL. LAMB
Began With the Contest Between
the Reed and Mckinley Factions.
THE SITUATION AT PRESENT


existing within the republican ranks. 1t
is unique situation, and the powerful
fight going on within the party bids fair
to result in as bad a split as now exists
within the ranks of the democracy through
out the state over the question of the re-
monetization of silver at a ratio of 16 to l
with gold and the attack upon the federal
courts and the Cleveland administration.
The trouble dates back before the re-
publican convention in Staunton. National
Politics was at the bottom of it all. There
was certain faction in the state who
strongly supported the interests of Reed
Tor the presidential nomination. The most
conspicuous among these were what is
generally known in political circles here
as the machine men, and they were COM
posed principally of shrewd politicians who
were anxious to control patronage. These
men were led by Park Agnew Col VIM
Lamb, chairman of the republican state
committee; Col. James T. Brady and a few
others; On the other hand there were the
great oulk OF the republican party in the
state favorable to the nomination of Nc
klniey for Pre- sdent. it may be said that
more than three-fourths of the republica ms
Ia virginia were Mckinley men. Still they
mad hard road to travel when they
tackled the leaders of the Reed forces. who
Weie familiar with the ropes and skilled in
pontical m lnipulation Col Lamb him
ser was not to all appearances in search
On 'iiSe, put was anxious to remain
stat@ chairman and elect Reed delegates to
Inc rational convention.
When the Trouble Began.
AT the Staunton convention NIck;r,a,
delegates carried the day, and then il was
that the fight was on in earnest Tho nIan
adopted at Staunton was for the v,rious
county and city charmen to he chose, Nv
'he respective county and city committees,
ana Tor the state committee not to jnterfare
Win the work of the local committees
mere was to be a state committee of
Thirty, and an executive committee of four
members with the chairman of the state
committee as chairman, and three OUT
siuers. 1t was agreed that the chairman
OF the state committee should be elected NV
the state convention, and that the chair
man of the executive committee onIv would
ne authorlzed to call meeting of the COM
mlttee when majority of the members re-
quested it, and that the state committee
could then call convention if it saw fit.
AS a matter of fact when the committee
met IN Lynchburg it was not called by the
executive committee through the chairman.
as COL Lamb was not notified at all
charges were brought against him by out
slders: and he was deposed by the state
committee, part of which was represented
by proxies. He claims that the whole pro-
ceedlngs were illegal, and consequently not
In accordance with the plan agreed upon at
the last republican convention held
weil-known republican here who stands
nigh In the party as one of the most in
huential and trustworthy men in the ranks
throughout the state, and who has held
several prominent federal offices, in an in
terVleW with The Star correspondent, said
that political patronage is at the bottom of
the whole difficulty. 1t is a well-known
fact, he said, that Judge Edmund Wadd:lI
1r, was the leader of the Mckinley cam
paign in Virginia. Judge Waddill was
personal frierd of Mr.. Mckinley's and had
charge of the campaign funds in this state
He was very active in McKinley's behalf
and his right-hand man was Gen. Edgar
Allan, VINO spends about one-half Of his
time in Washington. Both of these men
are, and have for quite while been bitter
political foes of Col. Lamb, state chairman
and for some time have been trying hard to
defeat him as state chairman. They have
worked hard against him, and have never
let up in the fight since it commenced
Those who are supporting Colonel Lamb
in the present fight are trying to make
capital out of the change in the attitude of
Colonel Brady and Park Agnew toward
their chieftain They broadly charge that
the prospect of patronage. since realized,
led these erstwhile strong friends of Colo
mel Lamb to desert him and finally COM
pas his downfall.
The anti-Lamb faction is uneasy about
the call for convention, evidently fearing
that the Norfolk man will be put forward
again as the leader of the party in this
state.
The pressure upon the ex-chairman 20
call Il convention resulted in the issue OF
the call for October >, in Lynchburg Sep
TENDER 30 meetings will be held all over the
state to choose delegates to the convention.
Meanwhile there is a great deal of specu-
latiOn as to what will be the outcome of
this gathering. 1t is thought that a gubor-
material ticket will be nominated, headed
by Gen. James A. Walker and that Lamb
VIII be Endorsed for state chairman. In
this event there will be two state chairmen
directly opposing each other, and this Will
probably result in a division in the party
Col. Lambs Ambition.
Colonel Lamb says he cares nothing for
the position of state chairman, and would
not take the office again If it was served
up on a waiter to him. He says he only
wanted to see the state carried for the re-
publican presidential nominee, and he
would have succeeded in doing this If hi
supporters had not been caught by Offices
and promises of offices to oppose him AMI
his methods of work in the campaign He
claims that he would not have any office
within the gift of the people of the state
not even governor.
Colonel Lamb says he has clear proofs;
that his supporters. whom he had depend
ed upon for assistance were bribed to Join
the opposition with offices. and that a few
of these men are making q fight against
the bone and sinew of the republican party
in the state against the holding of a CON
vention. He thinks the gathering at
Lynchburg will be q representative one,
and that they will make ii warm for those
who have tried to run the interest of the
republican party in Virginia according tn
the views OF few men VINO practically
controlled the patronage of the state in
federal offices under the present admins
tration.
While all this row in the family is going
on there is being drawn within the ranks
of the party very distinct color line
Little show is being given the negroes.
and they have already held convention
here in which they decided to demand more
patronage, and insist upon some considera.
ton being shown their race in the party
They claim that they supported Mckinley
and worked for his interests in the state
and that they consequently have a right
to expect that some of the patronage will
come their way. A general gathering OF
the negroes is called to meet here the latte,
part of the month and formulate plans tC
secure some of the offices among their race
| 1t will be large meeting. and it is proba
J BILE that Lamb will be Endorsed for stat.
| chairman.
! AT a recent meeting of the negro anf
white republicans in Halifax county. the
negroes outnumbered the whites, and car
red things to suit themselves, whereupon
| after some protests, the white members o.
| the convention withdrew and refused Il
| have anything further to do with the pro
ceedngs.
| The division in the party is being steadil,
| increased by the drawing OF the color line
u