Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-22
HUNTER WITHDRAWS
HE Is FOR DEBOE, But NAMES NO
SUCCESSOR.
He Leaves for Washington After
Finishing His Communication to
the Cnucus-Matter of n Nomina-
ton Postponed TIL Tonight.

FRANKFORT. KY. April 21.-Dr. Hun
Ter finished writing his communication to
tho caucus called for s o'clock tonight,
and then left with hts wife for Washing
ton He came out boldly for Deboe this
afternoon and he had gotten all his
friends at work for him. but the latter
and his friends were evidently Oh the
opinion that the Doctor should not have
gone away before he had dictated ms
successor.
When the caucus met, at O'CLOCK
Chairman Jones stated its purpose. and
the roll was called. The clerk called the
names of Baird, Stout, and Norman and
the gold Democrats who have beensvotlng
for Hunter There were a number Oh
proxies. Those not present even by proxy
were Deboe, Whitaker, Stout, Norman.
and Jasper. Present, 20; necessary to a
choice. 36. Mr.. r. r. Morgan's proxy, In
the hands of Mr.. George W. Limeberth.
instructed Limeberth 10 cast his vote for
Judge Holt. Mr. G. =. Thomas showed
I'D with a telegram authorizing him TO
cast his proxy for Hon. W. J. DeDoe.
There was of course, a wrangle over
this. but the Chair decided the question
would not be passed upon till the voting
was begun. Mr. Howard then read the
following communication from DR.. Hun
ter:
Gentlemen Of the Republican Caucus
Some weeks ago you conferred upon me
the distinguished honor of the nomina-
tion for United States Senator. Bearing
that commission from you, / have labored
from day TO day assduousiy and zealously
to reach an election to that high trust
but my labor has been fruitless and with
out avail.
TT is needless that I should recount
how political animosities. on the one
hand. Joined with jealousies and dissen-
sions among those claiming 10 be OF my
own political faith, worked together 10
compass my defeat on every ballot. Inese
things are known OF all men, ana are
"To me it is a source of untold gratifi-
cation that the almost universal Judg-
ment of the good men of all parties Vin-
dicates me from aspersions which would
never have been cast upon me but LOT
the purpose of accomplishing my defeat.
LAS a loyal Republican. / recognize that
our party is infinitely greater than any
man. For the success and growth or our
party in Kentucky in the future; for the
consummation of the policies or the Re-
publican administration just now Delns
inaugurated, a Republican senator from
Kentucky should be elected. l VIII no,
stand in the way of such result, but /
will rather work to cooperate with you
In all laudable ways to bring 1t about.
"ro that end | have requested that you
be called together that l might make TO
you this communication, and return 10
you the nomination which you so gene
rously gave me five weeks ago, in order
that YOU may at once. and without delay,
select. If possible, some one among tne
many distinguished and worthy RepuDh-
xsrhn q
and whose election may thus be assured;
Thanking you again for your kindness,
/ desire TO now formally return to you
the. nomination you gave me, ana 10
'W. GODFREY HUN TER
Mr. Flppen introduced resolution that
in accepting the withdrawal OF Or. Hun-
ter the Republicans renew thelr eXpIes-
sions of confidence in his ability integ-
rity. and devotion 20 Republican princi-
pies, and tender him sincere sympathy,
in view of the prosecutions Whlch nau
been visited upon him, etc. III was auott-
ed with dissent from those known as the
bolting Republicans. Mr. Howard, OF the
Deboe-Hunter side, moved 10 proceed TO
the nomination OF a senator Mr.. W. II
Morgan. of the Holt side. proposed
postponement for few days till they
could all agree on some man. Mr.. Bur
nam also thought little delay would DO
no harm. Mr.. Howard, Tor the DeDoe
side. insisted on immediate acuon: MI.
Leiberth argued that the two conflicting
proxies of Mr.. Morgan were a sufilcient
reason 10 postpone the nomination.
Things finally got warm. and Mr.: Lei
berth said. in so many words, that Deboe
had been given an advantage by Hunter
In being allowed TO electioneer. while Holt
could not consistently DO so. Finally, al
ter a two-hOurs' wrangle, a motion 10 ad-
iourn till tomorrow night was voted
mon MIR Leiberth made the point that
certain proxies could not be voted on this
question. and the Chair sustained his
point. The vote 10 adjourn was carried
by one vote II was 81 to 81.