Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-09-30
THE REPUBLICAN WAR.

Chairman Browne nepiies to the Charge
of Irresponsibility Made by tho Union
Republicans.
The gentle dove Of peace has taken
flight and no longer hoyera over the
camps of the Republican factions in
Delaware. The flag of truce has been
called in, the nrmistice haa been de-
clared off, and war.clouds have APP
peared in the sky. To the Union Re.
publican charge of irrespousibility
State Chairman Hugh q. Browne
makes this reply;
''ln regard to the assertion that the
Republican conferrees were an ire
sponsiblo body | would say that the
Republican coferrees acted clearly
within their instructions. The chair
man of the COMMITTEES was authorized
at meeting of tho Republican State
Committee, held on August 18th, to
appoint conference committee OF eight
whose powers were clearly and dis.
tinctly set forth In letter to Chairman
Alice, under date of August 18th, in
the following words: Our committee
will, therefore, provide for the selec-
tion of eight Republicans to such con
florence and suggest that tbs Union Re-
publican State Central Committee
select q like number and the men thus
selected shall meet to consider tbs
proper steps 10 DO taken and make such
recommendations for the approval OF
their respective State committees as
they may deem right and expedient.
1.-THE Union Republicans knew be
fore the conference was held tho exact
powers of our committee. They ac,
cepted cur profIer for conferences.
under the foregoing conditions, and,
therefore, 1t was not a question to be
raisad by them at any meeting.
No opportunity wan given for the
discussion Of our proposition, the
Union Republicans evidently following
Il cut and dried programme. We dis
cussed their proposition in open meet
ing at the previous conference for fouI
hours. whereupon they, and not we, in
sisted unun adjournment for the double
purpose OF giving us chance to con
slider their offer and for them to give
publicity to tho same. We told then
at the time that we could not accept
their proposed basis for the apportion
ment of the delegates and we're par
ticular in assuring them that We die
not need time to make our reply. WI
even outlined the counter propositions
which were made formally at their in
stance on Monday.
I'VE met them with counter propo
sitiou on Monday night, which the.
received in silence, and then retireC
from the ronm for its consideration.
They gave it no discussion. whatever
in open meeting. hut replied with I
series Of resolutions which gave ever.
evidence of having been prepared bo
fore the meeting on the obvious as
sumption that no counter proposition
would be made.
Immediately upon this reading o
their statement a motion was made t,
adjourn, by one of them, cutting OF
all opportunity for discussion. w
have rigidIy adhered in both confer
ences TO the principles involved AM
studiously avoided all personalities.
1--WE declined to recognize PERSONAL
ties when they were used against us
Their preambles and resolutions y
grossly misrepresent the facts involves
that it will be necessary for the Ropub
lican conferees to make a reply to ther
at some length through the press. A
10 their alleged reasons for breakin
off the conference we regard both as
mere pretext"