The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-14
THE REPUBLICAN ADDRESS.
Text of the Paper Issued by the virginia
State Committee.

state COmmittces
The following is the text OF the adj
dress issued by the Virginia State COM
mittee of the Republican party TO the
organization in this State, mention of
which was made in The Times yester-
day:
ITO the Republican Voters OF the state
OF Virginia:
THE State Executive Committee Of the
Republican party Of Virginia deem 1t
incumbent upon them to address the Re-
publican voters upon the peculiar, un-
usual. and somewhat embarrassing con-
dition of party affairs at the present
time.
1T Is well known that at regular and
full meeting Of the State Committee, held
at Lynchburg, on August 18th last when
meeting was held after conference and
correspondence with the most trusted
reliable and experienced party leaders
In every section OF the State, the com
mittee determined after full and careful
consideration, and by an almost unanl-
nous vote. that it was inexpedient TO hold
a state convention for the purpose OF
| nominating a Republican State ticket
AS it was deemed best for our party
interests. the committee published then
an address. setting forth some OF the
principal reasons which led 10 the cola
cluson reached by them as body. The
| most prominent OF these reasons was the
opportunity which seemed to be present
ed for a vigorous and effective campaign
throughout the State, looking 10 the cleo
ton OF a Legislature which would secure
a repeal OF the present iniquitous Parker
act, and the enactment in its stead Of
law framed intended, and operated to
"a fgh Of oh
structing that right, and TO secure count
Of every vote cast in lieu OF the bonfire
OF ballots at every precinct, which has
| heretofore proclaimed the methods by
which Democratic victories have been
achieved.
The address referred to contained an
urgent appeal for organization and CO.
operation where practicable. in order 10
secure this desirable end Similar action
was taken this year by the Republican
State Committee of New York. That
committee, however went further. and
after declaring ii inexpedient to call n
convention, as only one office had 10 be
filled. the committee itself nominated the
Republican candidate for that position.
In New York State. with loyalty to the
party organization, the action of the COM
mittee was acquiesced in. but different
THE chairman Of the Republican party
OF Virginia. at the time the committee
action was taken. was present i'm the
city of Lynchburg, but did not attend
the meeting. At a later date, and when
no longer State chairman, he called
State convention; and. conscious that the
organization Of the party throughout the
State was in accord with the action OF
the State committee, he encouraged and
invited the holding Of meetings. regard
less of any Republican organization, FOR
the purpose of electing, or, rather, select
ing. delegates 10 his proposed convention
at Lynchburg on October 8. 1897. AS was
natural under such circumstances, the
gathering. when assembled, as well as the
work il performed, utterly lacked repre-
sentative character, and save for the
presence Of a comparatively few OF the
supporters OF that movement, IL coulu
not have been recognized by any analogy
10 any Republican convention heretofore
held in the State. This gathering, thus
brought together. not only named a state
ticket but established a dual organization
In the State, contrary TO party law, ana
10 the detriment OF the party in the state
and its organization, thereby seeking 10
supplant the regular organization Of the
State. of which your committee are the
official representatives. and as to whose
legality no question can be raised
"This action thus taken right In the
midst OF the campaign of this body. which
had no local organization and no legisla-
| tive ticket In the field. and when II was
| TOO late to name them, operates only 10
| dishearten and demoralze the Republi-
| can voters in the State. Your committee
| Is well aware that prior 10 the action
OF the state committee some Of the most
prominent. able. and influential party
1 leaders favored the holding OF conven-
! tion. but with few exceptions they yield
ed to the practically unanimous vote OF
the committee. and determined 10 ABIDE
| ~, tts decision. Such a course followed
| nv all would. in the Judgment OF your
| committee, have contributed greatly TO
the welfare OF the Republican party
TT is hardly necessary for this COM
mittee 10 refer TO the irreguarity OF the
so-called convention at Lynchourg. as