Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-11
WALKER NOT HARMONIOUS.
He Denounces the Anti-Lambitcs-
still for Another Convention.

WASHINGTON. d. c., November le.-
Especial )-General James A. Walker, who
is TO write the conciliatory address In
tended to unite the Virginia Republican
factions. was interviewed to-day, ana,
instead of being harmonious himself, he
denounces the members OF the machine
Executive Committee in the most unmea-
sured terms.
He began by censuring the State COM
mittee for refusing to mold State con-
vention. and said they offered him The
nomination for Governor II be would ac-
cept il from the committee. He would
not have Ii I'm that way, and was in
formed that it would not be good policy
to call convention, as il was impossible
to tell what action 1t would take.
General Walker reviewed the familiar
events which led to the nomination of
state ticket. and recalled the fact that
the machine Republicans issued an ad-
dress, in which they stated that Republi-
cans who either voted for or refused TO
vote for the I.ynchburg nominees did not
forfeit their claims or position in the Re-
publican party. 1T was reasonable to
suppose" he continued, that after this
declaration the regular organization
would stand neutral or. at least. would
not exert Its influence TO pile up a huge
majority for the Democratic ticket. was
such the caseY 1t was not. During the
short canvass which ensued the force OF
the organization WAS exerted to prevent
Republicans from voting for the Repub-
lican candidates for State offices. Cireu-
lars addressed TO the colored voters de-
nunciatory OF the Republican candidates,
and tending to arouse race animosities,
were industriously circulated by members
| of the Executive Committee.
Had they brought to the polls as many
voters of the State as did the supporters
| Of the Lynchburg ticket. whom they de-
| rided. Virginia would" said the General,
"for the next four years have been In
| the hands of the Republicans. But the
| effect of this party division reached be-
| vond the State ticket. il sacrificed legis-
| lative candidates as well. The effort to
prevent Republicans from supporting the
whole Republican ticket kept thousands
| away from the polls altogether, and thus
| effectively aided the Democracy In Sc
| curing an overwhelming majority In the
next General Assembly. Furthermore
the schism dlsgusted and discouraged
| many earnest, loyal men, who love the
| Republican party and its principles, but
who have no sympathy with either fac
| ton. as such. These men are not or
6ce-seekers or office-holders. They az
not assume to be leaders, and when tnel
saw those whom they had honored as
their party representatives fighting eaci
other with a bitterness which was al
most indicative they turned in disgust
from such spectacle and abstained iron
attendance at the polls.
"To sum up a fatal mistake was mad
at Lynchburg on the 18th or August
When the servants Of party are afrai'
to meet their master: when representa-
tives refuse to submit their conduct U
the approval or disapproval or the con
s,ituent body, 1t may be accepted as
fact too plain to admit OF doubt ina
something is wrong, and radically wrong
safe rule is to trust the people
General Walker concluded by reiteratin
what he had advised in former inter
view-namely, the calling Of Republican
convention, the call to he united IN D.
both factions.