Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-13
ANTI-LAMB ADDRESS
TO REPUBLICAN VOTERS FROM
AGyEw COMMITTEE.
ADVICE AS TO LYBCHDURG TICKET.
"xo Republican Who Votes or Re-
fuses 60 Vote for II VIII Either
Jcopardire or Forfeit His Party
Position"
Position"

night issued by the State Committee,
representing the regular organization,
and was signed by every member of the
state Committee, including General
walker:
ITO the Republican Voters of the State
OF Virginia:
"The State Executive Committee CT the
Republican party OF Virginia deem 1t
incumbent upon them 10 address the Re-
publican voters upon the peculiar, un-
usual. and somewhat embarrassing con-
dition OF party affairs at the present
time.
1T u well known that at regular end
full meeting of the state Committee, held
at Lynchburg. on August 18th last, which
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 unani-
nous vote. that II 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 to The con-
clusion reached by them as body. The
most prominent OF these reasons was the
opportunity which seemed TO be pre-
sented for a vigorous and effective cam
paign throughout the State, looking TO
the election Of a Legislature which would
secure a repeal of the present iniquitous
Parker act, and the enactment IN It's
stead Of a law framed, intended ana
operated 10 facilitate the right TO vote,
instead Of obstructing that right, ana
10 secure a count of every vote cast, In
lieu OF the bonfire of ballots at every
precinct. which has heretofore proclaimed
the methods by which Democratic VIC
tories have been achieved
"The address referred 10 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. mat
committee, however, went further, and'
after declaring it inexpedient TO call a
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 20 the
party organization. the action or the
committee was acquiesced in, but a dlf-
ferent condition confronts us in Virginia
COMPLIMENTS TO LAMB.
"The chairman of the Republican rarty
~ Virginia. at the time the committees
action was taken, was present IN the
city Of Lynchburg, but did not attend
the meeting. Al a later date, a'd wren
no longer state chairman, he cahed
State convention; an., conscious that the
organization of the party throughout tie
State was in accord with the action
of the state Committee, he encouraged
and invited the holding Of meetings re-
gardless Of any Republican organization
for the purpose Of electing. or, rather.
selecting. delegates TO his proposed con-
vsntion al Iynchburg on october 5, 1897.
As was natural under such cHcum-
stances the gathering, when assembled
as we'll as the work II performed utterly
lacked representative character, ana save
for the presence Of comparatively ieW
OF the supporters of that movement, 1t
could not have been recognized by any
analogy TO any Republican convention
heretofore held in the State. This gath
ering, thus brought together, not only
named a State ticket, but established
dual organization in the State contrary
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party in the State and its organization,
thereby seeking to supplant the regular
of the State, OF which your
committee are the official representa-
tivss. and as to whose legality no ques-
tlon can be raised.
This action thus taken right in the
midst Of the campaign of this body,
which had no local organization and no
legislative ticket in the field, and when
IL was too late 10 name them, operates
only 10 dishearten and demoralize the
Republican voters in the State. Your
Is well aware that prior TO
the action Of the State Committee some
Of the most prominent, able, and infu-
ential party leaders favored the holding
OF a convention. but with few eXcep-
tlons they yielded 10 the practically
unanimous vote of the committee. and
determined 10 abide by its decision. Such
n course followed by all would, I'm the
judgment Of your committee have con-
tributed greatly TO the welfare of the
party.
LAMB CONVENTION IRREGULAR
1T is hardly necessary for this COM
nittee 10 refer TO the irregularity Of the
so-called convention at Lynchburg as
each city and county I'm the State repre-
sented in said committee is thoroughly
both with the men and the
methods used in procuring delegates 10
that body Suffice TO say that one-thrd
OF the counties IN the state sent no dele
gates at all, while the majority Of the
claiming representation there
were overwhelmingly against the action
taken by the self-constituted delegates
that attended.
"Your committee renew. repeat, and
relterate that portion of the address OF
the State COMMITTEE which looked to
securing i'm the next Legislature of the
State a majority in favor Of such changes
In the election laws of Virginia as will
remove the stigma which has so long
attached 10 her. and Will proclaim TO the
world that elections in Virginia are once
more free and fair. No loyal Republi-
can Will disregard this Injunction,
or will let anything interfere with
thls programme. Had the regular
organization OF the party called
and held State convention, 1t would
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