New-York tribune., 1897-08-30
MR.. HARRITY'S POSITION.
HE SAYS THERE is NO VACANCY IN THE
NATIONAL COMMITTEE.
A LETTER TO STATE CHAIRMAN GARMAN-Mh'
JONES SAID THE HARRITY LETTER LAST
OcTOuEp WAS SATISFACTORY.

A LETTER TO STATE CHAIRMAN GARMAN-MR'
JONES SAID THE HARRITY LETTER LAST
OCTOBER WAS SATISFACTORY
Philadelphia. Aug. 29.-Willam +. harrity TO-
night sent a letter OF John NJ. Garman. chairman
of the Democratic State Committee, dcfning MS
position on the movement agtated by certain rae
tlons OF the party to oust him from the Nationai
Committee After referring to the call issued py
Mr.. Garman for meeting OF the State Committee
at Reading tomorrow nght-the eve OF inc state
Conventlonfor the purpose OF considering the ques-
tion OF the vacancy In the membership from Penn
sylvania In the Democratic National Committee
and OF filling such vacancy, IL one Is found>to eX-
list. Mr. Harry continues:
The language of your call practically assumes
that there is vacancy In the Pennsylvania men,
bership OF the Democratic National Committee. and
as a matter of fact. there is none. was elected
TO that position by the Democratic National Conven-
tion upon the unanimous recommendation OF the
Pennsylvania delegation to that convention. (See
proceedings OF the Democratic National Convention
of 1896 pages 167 to I'D have not resigned. and
have not been removed. nor is 1t in the power OF
any convention. committee person to remove me
except in the Democratic National Committee Itself
I'm the campaign OF 1896 the Democratic National
Committee delegated TO It's Campaign Committee
the power to declare vacancies. In pursuance Of
that authority Chairman James X. Jones. on behaf
OF the Campaign Committee. October ID. 1895,
raised the question OF my attitude toward the DEM
ocratIc party, and made reply to him under date
Of October 90 1896 Ny answer was accepted as
entirely satisfactory by Chairman Jones' and he
so declared and decided lie declined TO make a
vacancy or assent that one should be made. In
closed you will find copies Of the letters which
passed at the time. which, I trust. will. with this
communication, be submitted for the consideration
of the members Of the Democratic State Central
Committee"
Mr. Harrity then refers TO the resolution defeated
of the State convention OF September 10, 1896, re-
questing Chairman Jones 10 declare Harrtys place
on the National Committee vacant. Proceeding he
says:
1T will thus be that az the proper time for
the consideration OF the matter in controversy II
there any for raising the question at
all. namely, in the Presidential campaign Of 1896
the Democracy OF Pennsylvania expressed its opin-
ion In my favor. and the Democratic National Com
mittee, through its chairman. decided that there
was not sufficient reason for my removal from
Even within the last few weeks. namely on July 90
1891. Chairman Jones has written me that your let
ter 10 me last fall impressed me straightforward
tirely satisfactory to me
me over n year ago that did not intend to there.
after actively participate in politics as I had
TO say concerning political management or organi-
cation. have had no candidates to suggest and
have disposition to interfere with the legit-
innate work of the State convention. have
however, ventured to suggest that hoped that
wise counsels would prevail at the Reading con-
venon. and that the outcome would be Of that char
acter that would be an invitation to all Democrats
TO take an active and aggressive part in the coming
campaign. which may fairly be regarded as the
preliminary skirmsh Of the ,Gubernatorial and
however that the indications that some OF
the DEMOCRATIC leaders. among them some who no
officially connected with the organization or
the party. are bent upon a course which they
mistakenly think will benefit themselves. regard
less of it's effects upon the party Itself or us
future.
THE attack made upon me by some OF those
within the Democratic party in Pennsylvania Is ul.
selfish. unworthy and malign motives. BY their
wfu and malicious misrepresentato they nave
way have been inmical TO the Democratic party
and its interests. But such Is not the fact nave
never voted any other than the Democratic ticket
and have never supported any other than Demo-
cratic candidates. That has been my habit nave
no desire to change Il, and do not intend to 40
So 1t is my hope and expectation TO vote for
the nominees OF the Reading convention. Allow me
to add that do not believe that success ought
so narrow and bgoted to insist that the decla-
ratons of political convention are SO plndhs p
a marty as 10 drive from its membership al OF
those who do not accept implicitly very nie
Chairman Jones himself broad enough to ex-
press this same belief when he declared my letter
to him was "A straightforward manEi many 'e''e''
"If ar any time in the future the Democratic
National Committee. the only body now having
Jurisdiction Of the qualifications OF It's members
Since tbe work and life OF the Campaign Commit
tee TO which It had delegated its power in the
premises ended with the campaign OF 1890 shall
think IL proper to further consider the matter.
shall cheerfilly submit TO its authority ana DO"
to It's decision '''p''''''"w "w. F. HARRITY."
The inclosed correspondence consists oi & let,er @
from chairman Jones dated October 10: 1879: asking
nain ind Mr. Harritys reply declaring his al
Ieeiance to the party. but maintaining bis belief
pemocratc State Convention at Allentown Penn,
April %, ls'V.