Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-25
is NO HARMONY
REPUBLICAN ORGANIZATIONS ARE
AS FAR APART AS EVER.
COL. WICKHAM MUST STEP DOWN.
That IL the Rock on which the
Negotiations spiit--Cep. Walker
Suggests Arbitration, Bat Factions
Differ as 10 Proper Arbitrator.


The negotiations whlsh we're begun at
Murphys Hotel on Thursday night for
the purpose OF healing the breach which
exists In the Republican party In this
| State were terminated yesterday with
out any direct result having been attain
| ed. The State Executive Committee, pre-
sided over by Hon. Park Agnew, replied
to the third proposition submitted by Col
onel Wickham, but the answer, while
| concedlng all questions raised, was en-
| phatic in its fat that the essential step
towards the restoration of peace was
! the abandonment by Colonel Wickham of
his dual organization in this State, and on
this rock the effort at reconciliation came
to grief. General Walker sugmitted a
proposition, signed by Messrs Wise.
| Thorp, and Yost. that the points of diff
ference should be referred to Chairman
Babcock. OF the Congressional Commit
tee, but the Executive Committee replied
that the arbitration of the National Com
mittee alone would be acceptable, sug-
gestion with which General Walker dis
agreed. and so the committee adjourned.
| declaring the negotiations at an end, but
| empowering Chairman ABneW 10
| them II Colonel Wickham receded from
his present position as chairman of the
| rival committee.
COLONEL WICKHAM'S LAST PROPO-
SITION.
The Executive Committee met yester-
day morning at 10 o'clock. pursuant to
adjournment, and the reply Of Colonel
| Wickham 10 the communication of
| Thursday was considered. This reply
was as follows:
Hon. Park Agnew City:
My Dear Sir,-I have just received the
| reply to my propositions, looking towards
| party harmony, submitted to you, ana by
you 10 your committee.
| i regret very much to see that your
committee object to- certain features
which / consider essential-viz:
/. / cannot surrender my present or
ganzation until the new organization
has been effected
@ There should be an agreement that
conventions will be held in each congress
sional district as provided by the plan
Of organization adopted at Staunton Said
conventions should be held not later than
August 18th, for two very potential rea-
sons: First. to enable the candidates In
districts where nominations are made to
| thoroughly canvass their district; and,
second, TO enable the new Congressional
and State committees TO organize ana
perfect plans for prosecuting the canvass.
o. j
conventions shall be properly called ana
held, TO the end that a fair expression
Of the will Of the majority of the Re
publican voters may be secured.
4. Such county conventions should be
called by the chairmen, who were recog-
nized as such at the date OF the preslden-
tial election in 1895, since which time
there have been no conventions at which.
under the plan Of organization adopted at
Staunton, such chairman could have been
chosen.
5. There should be an agreement that
the new State Committee shall meet I'M
mediately after the meeting of the last
congressional convention, and proceed 10
its organization.
6. The new committee should be the
Judge Of it's own numbers, and no districts
i'm which there are contests should have a
voice in the committee until those con-
tests are settled.
| regret that / cannot accept the coun-
ter proposition you made, but trust that
an agreement can be reached on some
such basis as above outlined-one when
seems 10 me fair TO both factions OF our
party and which does not "abrogate'
modify or alter any organic party law
WILLIAM f. wICKHAM.
THE COMMITTEES ULTIMATUM.
The committee adjourned without
taking action. until / o'clock. but on re-
assembling the chairman submitted the
following reply TO Colonel Wickham'
communication:
Murphy's Hotel,
Richmond, Va, June "A, 1898.
Colonel William +. Wickham:
My Dear Sir,-I have received your
communication of last night. and l am
authorized by the Republican state Ex-
ecutive Committee, in reply thereto, TO
say: -.
1. We are willing to agree that there
should be a convention held in each con-
2 gressiona district at the time stated IN
your communication.
Q we are willing to agree, in fact we
would insist upon II, that the county ana
city conventions shall be properly called
and held and so conducted, in order that
the will of a majority of the Repubhcan
voters shall be ascertaned and expressed.
2 3. We are clearly Of opinion that county
or city conventions or meetings shouid
be called by the chairman duly recognized
by the regular organization OF the party
T. We are willing to agree that When
! the last congressional convention is helu'
promptly thereafter, the new State Com
| mittee should meet and proceed 10 or
ganize and elect State Execuuve COM
| mittee as the party. law provides
The foregoing suggestions are mace III
connection with the resolutions adopted
by the State Executive Committee at MS
meeting held last night. copy OF when
was furnished you.
surprise and regret that you could not see
your way clear 10 take the flrst essenua
step toward the restoration OF peace ant
harmony by the abandonment or your
dual organization i'm this State.
Our State Committee feel II TO be ar
imperative duty incumbent upon them t(
observe the party law in all It's require
ments as contained in the plan OF or
ganization adopted in the State eonven
ton held in Staunton in April, 1876. W.
sincerely hope mature consideration may
vet lead you to notify the chairman o.
the party of your acceptance OF these
suggestions to the end that we may
nave your cordial support I'm our EFFORTS
for party success in the campaign thl'
fan Tor congressional candidates In ever!
district in Virginia.
Y Yours very truly, .
Y (Siened) PARK AGNEW,
Chairman.
GENERAL WALKER OFFERS A SUG
GESTION.
r General Walker submitted the following
signed propositions
To Hon. Park Agnew and Hon. w. r
Wickham
Conference.-The undersigned Repubii
can members of Congress from virginia
having heard with regret that the com
mittees presided over by you gentlemen
respectively, have been unable 10 agree