Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1897-09-23
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER %, 1897.
A STRAINED INTERPRETATION.

Since the action of the State Republican
Committee in refusing to call q convention
we have not hesitsted to express our dis
approval of its course and question the
motives that inspired its conduct. The
committee has lost the confidence Of tie
masses of the party and open revolt is
threatened in response to the call Of Col.
Lamb. To check the revolt the State CON-
1Nittee has inspired the preparation and
Gil, ,lation of a circular letter which has
been sent out in this district by the district
committee.
Among other things the circular tries to
justify and legalize the conduct of tie
State Committee in refusing tofx the time
and place for holding State convention.
The circular says: "While We regret it has
been found inexpedient to call a conven-
ton, yet under Section ofArticle of ON
present party plan Of organization, a copy
of which we herewith enclose, which is oul
constitution and guide in all party
matters, the Commute undoubtedly
had absolute authority for its action, and
this being true it therefore becomes oul
duty, five claim to be loyal Republican
and respect party law, to abide by the de
csion OF the State committee
This putting it pretty strong and j.
well calculated to deceive the ordinary
reader as to the authority which was vestet
in the State Committee by the party plan
organization. Section of Articles, above
referred TO reads as follows: 'It shall fy
the time and place of all State convention;
of the party, and prescribe the number Q
delegates and alternates for each county an
city in the State"
The State Committee chose to constru(
this section as giving it the right or privi
eye Of saying that State conventions may
or may not be held. The Committee hG!
given tie section q false and strained inter
probation. 1t delegates no such authorit,
to the committee and was never INTENDED
to do so.
When the plan of organization wa:
adopted by the party ii had become fixe(
by custom and by the unwritten law tina
in all State and National elections State
conventions should be held. This being
true, the intention was 10 place the dat.
upon some one to fix the time and place {
holding such conventions. The Section
of Article was framed for that purpose
and imposed duty upon and did not ex
tend a privilege to the State Committee.
Having failed to perform its high duty al
the servants of the people, who constitute
the party land lnsurped an authority which
is dangerous and detructiye, the Committee
tries to check anyrevolt by appealing to tbC
loyalty OF Republicans and by urging then
TO stand to the organization.
In 1888 Malone assumed powers thai
were not believed to be vested in him a!
Chairman of his party and there was {
revolt. That revolt was led by James D
Brady and Yankee Allen, two of the Elk
ecutive Committee who are now appealing
to Republicans to stand by the "organ
ization." The revolt of 1855 was agains
the zone man power" The threatened
revolt of 1897 is against the "four mar
power" of Bowden, Brady, Allen anc
Waddill.
These nell have selfshly perpetrated q
great outrage on Virginia Republicans
They are conscious of their guilt and are
trying to Justify by false Interpretation
of the party law. The law says: ut shall
fix the time and place of all State conven
TONS" They have interpreted it as say
ing: 1t may or may not fix the time and
place of all State conventions.