The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-04-29
DR.. HUNTER DID WITHDRAW
A COMMUNICATION IN WHICH HE
DEFENDED HIS CONDUCT
THROUGHOUT.
DEQUEATHEDH|S STRENGTH 70 DEBOE
Caucus Held Last Night Failed to
Name Candidate-Hunter Left
Suddenly for Washington,
DiscOmfiting His Friends.

Frankfort, KY, April 21.-Dr. Hunter
finished writing his communication to the
caucus called at his request for O'Clock
tonight and left with his wife at 1925 fol-
Washington. He has come out bodily
for Deboe this afternoon and his friends
were evidently worried that the doctor
should have gone away before a success.
sOr to him had been declared by him
When the caucus met at o'clock, Chair
man Jones stated its purpose and the roll
was called. The clerk called the names
of Baird, Stout and Newman, the gold
| democrats who have been voting for
| Hunter. There were a number of prox-
! les. Those not present even by proxy
were DebOe, Whitaker, Stout, Howard
| and Jasper. Present, TO- necessary to a
choice, 30; Mr.. r. r. Morgan's proxy
was, in the hands of Mr.. George w. Lie
\ berth. instructing him to cast his vote
for Judge Holt. Mr.. G. =. Thomas
him to cast his proxy for Hon. w. j.
| Deboc. There was, of course, wran-
gle over this, but the chair decided the
| question would not be passed upon until
the voting began. Mr. Howard then read
the following communication from DR..
| Hunter.
""Gentlemen of the Republican Caucus
Some weeks ago you conferred upon
| me the distinguished honor of the nom-
| nation for United States senator. Bear
| ing that commission from you, | have
labored from day to day, assiduously and
zealously, to reach an election to that
high trust, but my labor has been fruit
less and without avail.
at is needless that | should recount
how that political animosity on the one
! hand, joined with jealouses and dssen-
sions among those claiming to be of my
own political faith, have worked together
to compass my zeal on every ballot.
Whatever may have been done by those
who have opposed me from the begin
ming to accomplish my defeat, | must beg
to assure you and the world that l have
| consciousness of the recttude and the
| purity of all my conduct and purpose
| throughout all this fierce struggle which
| would not exchange for any office or
any trust To me it is a source of untold
qualification that the almost universal
judgment of the good men of all parties
vindicate me from aspersions which
would never have been cast upon me but
for the purpose of accomplishing my de-
feat.
AS loyal republican / recognize that
our party is infinitely greater than any
one man. For the success and growth
of our party in Kentucky in the future.
for the consummation of the policies of
the republican administration just now
being inangurated, republican senator
from Kentucky should be elected.
will not stand in the way of such re-
suit, but will rather work to cooperate
with you in all laudable ways to bring
it about.
ITO that end | have requested that
you will be called together that | might
make to you this communication and re-
turn to you the nomination which you
so generously gave me five weeks ago,
in order that you may at once and with
out delay select, if possible, some one
among the many and distinguished re-
publicans of our state on whom all can
unite.
ITO the many cordial and jealous
friends who have made me their choice
again and again for this distinguished
position and who have stood by me so
long and so Loyalty, | owe debt of graf
itude which | can not find fitting words
to express. | shall cherish while | live
an intense feeling of pride in remember
ing your devotion to my interests and
to my political fortune.
My fellow republicans, quarter of
century of the best years of my life have
been given to the work of aiding the de-
velopment of republican principles in
Kentucky and the upbuilding of our party
in this state. | have not spared time or
means in this great cause and when, after
long years of hard work. we carried the
state triumphantly in 1895, it was to me
and to you source of unbounded re-
jocing. As for me, in the future, as in
the past, l shall still do battle for our
great cause. That cause is worth the
life of any man. l shall be found striving
assiduously with you for the men and
measures of our great party, never falter-
ing for once in the faith that these great
principles will ultimately triumph.
Thanking you again for your kindness
and confidence, | desire to now formally
return to you the nomination you gave
me and to withdraw from the senatorial
race.
WILLIAM GODFREY HUNTER"
Mr.. Flipp introduced a resolution that
in accepting the withdrawal of DR..
Hunter the republicans renew their pro-
fession of confidence in his ability, integ-
rity and devotion to republican princi
pies, and rendering him sincere sympathy
in view of the prosecutions which had
been visited upon him.
1t was adopted. with dissent from those
who have been known as the boiling re-
publicans.
Mr.. Howard, one of the gold democrats
on the Hunter side, moved to proceed
with the nomination of senator.
w. III. Morgan of the Holt side coun-
selled caution against haste and pro-
posed postponement for few days until
they could agree on some one man. Mr..
Burnam also thought little delay would
do no harm. Mr.. Howard, for the Deboe
side, insisted on immediate action. The
Holt side insisted that caution and a lit
tie delay was necessary. Mr.. Lieberth
argued that the two conflicting proxies
of Mr. Morgan was sufficient reason to
postpone the nomination.
Things finally got warm, and Mr..
Lieberth 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, after two hours wrangle.. n mo-
ton to adjourn until tomorrow night was
voted on. Mr.. Lieberth made the point
that certain proxies could not be voted
| on and the chair sustained his point.
The vote to adjourn was carried by one
vote, g. to 81.