The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-10-14
ROANO&E. Va. THURSDAY. OCTOBER IA, 1897.
mas heretofore proclaimed the methods
ny which Democratic victories have been

has heretofore proclaimed the methods
achieved.
The address referred to contained an
urgent appeal for organization and CO.
operation where practicable, in order to
secure this desired end. Similar action
was taken this year by the Republican
state committee of New York. ThaG
committee, however, went furher, and
after declaring it inexpedent to call a
convention, as only one Office had to be
niled, the committee itself nominated the
Republican candidate for that position.
In New York State, with loyalty to
party organization. the action of the ccm-
mlttee was acquiesced in, but II different
conhition confronts us in Virginia.
The chairman of the Republican'party
OF virginia at the time the coninittee's
action was taken was present in the city
or Lynchburg, but did not attend the
meeting AT later date anu when no
Longer State chairman, he called u State
convention, and conscious that the organ.
iztion of the party throughout the State
was in accord with the action of the
State committee, he encouraged and in
Vlted the holding of meetings, reg.rdless
of any Republicans organization, for the
purpose of electing or rather selecting
delegates to his sapposed convention in
Lynchburg on October ), 1891 AS WAS
natural under such circumstances, the
gathering when assembled, as we'll as the
work it performed, utterly lacked repre-
sentative character, and save Tor the
presence OF comparatively few of the sup
porters of that movement it could not
have been recognized by any analogy to
any Republican convention heretofore
held in the state
This gathering thus brought together
not only named Il State tius et, but form
ed a dual organization in the State. con-
trary to patty law and to the detriment
of the party in the State and its organi-
zation, thereby seeking to supplant the
regular organization of the State. of
which your committee are the official
representatives, and MS to whose legality
no question can he raised.
This action thus taken, right in the
mldst-of the campaign, Ey this body,
which had nc local organization and no
legislative tickets in the field and when il
was too late to name them. operates ONLY
to dishearten and demofalize the Repub-
lican voters III the State. Your commit
tee is we'll aware that prior to the action
ct the State committee some of the most
prominent, able and influential party
leaders favored the holding of conven-
ton, but with few exceptions they yield
ell to the practically Unanimous vote of
the committee and determined to abide
by its decision
Such COURSE followed by all would,
in the Judgment of your committee.
have contributed greatly to the welfare of
the Republican party. It's hardly nee.
essary for this committee to refer to the
lrregularity of the so-caled convention
ut LynchburS, as each city and county in
the State represented in said committee
is thoroughly acquainted, both with the
men AMI the methods used in procuring
delegates to that body Suffice il to say
that one-third of the counties in the State
sent no delegates at all, while the major
ity OF the counties claiming representa-
tion there were overwhe !minply against
the action taken by the selfconstituted
delegates that attended
Your committee renew, repeat and re.
lterate that portion of the address of the
State committee which looked to securing
In the next Legislature of the State IL ma
Jorlty in favor of such changes in the
election laws OF Virginia us will remove
the stigma which has so long attached to
her, and will proclaim 20 the world that
elections in Virginia are once more free
and fair No loyal Republican will dis
regard this injunction or will let any.
thinS lntereiere with this programme
Had the regular organization of the
party called and held Il State convention
It would doubtless have nominated n
ticket that we could look upon with pride
and support with pleasure. Under pres
ent conditions there will be upon the bal
lot an independent opposition ticket to
the Democratic nominee, and it is CON
ceded chat n Republican either in voting
TOR the nominee of the Lynchburg meet
ing or refusing TO vote for them will
neither jeopardize nor forfeit his claim or
position in the Republican party of the
State"
Park AGNEvy. Chairman.
j ASA. WALKER,
EDMUND WADDILL, Jr.,
JAMES d. BRADY.