Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1899-10-04
MIR. Kownslar against the House of
Delegates Nominee.
(Communicated)

democratic party of Warren county
and that portion of it in Clarke coun-
ty which declines TO be dominated by
what may be termed (of course in no
offensive sense) THE RING. That the
late SO called primaries which result
ed IN bogus convention was, in no
sense, the action of the democ-
racy of the two counties is
demonstrable. The executive COM
mittees of the two counties are the
agents and servants of the people who
constitute the party. Unfortunately
the executive committees think them
selves the party; hence they acted as
"bosses.' Now the law governing the
holding of conventions ia the two
counties IN question provides that if
primary election or convention be
held at all (and | admit that il is not
necessary TO hold one), but if one is
held 1T must be held not more than
30 nor less than 20 DAYS previous TO
the general elections. What right
had the bosses" to ignore this law?
In Warren county, by unanimous con-
sent almost, the friends of senatorial
reform declined 10 attend primaries
thus Illegally called. IL is known
personally To the writer that numbers
of such men in Clarke county. for a
like reason, declined to attend Most
notably was this true in Battletown
district. On the occasion of the so
called primary the town Was unusu-
ally full of democrats About 20
persons gathered in the court house
to attend the meeting. and | am reli-
ably Informed for was not presently
that only about s voted.
1t Is pertinent now to enqunr, why
WAS this great haste necessary: Was
It unprecedented that If the law was
complied with that the people would
rise in their might and DO Ito use a
sluu- phrase the bosses: We're they
afraid that Gov. TYLER anG senatorial
reform would carr, ihl, couaty:-
Some such reason must haze been
hidden behind this action. Without
meaning 10 make alv uukiui crIti-
cism, ! may add that Use chuirmeu
Of both counties were wei known
Martin men: that both we,, fh, onlv
candidates before their respective
conventions, and both were nornina
ted. Now, contrast with this the &C
tiOn of the TYLER and senatorial re-
form men. In respectful way "a
most dienitied body Of gentlemen.
representing large meeting of dem
Ocrat~ in Warren county. appeared
before this illegal BODY calling itself
a convention of democrats. and in the
interest Of harmony in the party pc
titioned it to make no nomination.
but to adjourn and call convention
IN accordance with the law, pied ging
themselves TO abide bv such legal
convention. !, with Mr.. +. b. Viii
ting, had the honor to appear as
counsel for these gentlemen. stated
then that l not only represented them,
but also spoke tor what | believed
to be a large majority of the demo
Gratis Of Clarke county. No one then
IN the court house could fail to see
that the Clarke county democrats
endorsed this sentiment. The bogus
convention denied the prayer of the
petitioners and put up Its candidate.
He now poses as the nominee of the
den ocratlc party. | here declare that
he Is not the nominee OF that old
party, and never has Oeeu Tor single
moment; and | Affirm the collars of
the ring are not numerous enough
TO put around the neckS of the free
people of Clarke and Warren counties.
They will not submit to be thus de
prlved of their just rights. For de
chnlng TO do so and for rotes,ing
against such illegal and high handed
measures your paper, usually 50 fair
and so conservative, brands them as
independents, and as working for
men instead of measures. Harmony
in the party is most desirable, but
harmony at the sacrifice of principle
is entirely too dear.
On October 10th, 1897, the War
rem county executive committee, of
which Mr.. Warthen is now the chair
man, by published resolutions bolted
the Berryville convention of that
year and put up its own candidate.
The COURIER justly censured that
action at the time, but your censure
did not give them absolution, and
this action, deliberatel, taken, nee
essarily read them out of the party.
They then became and have remain
ed ever since Independents. How
could Independents call democratic
convention? The democrats of War
rem, az they had right to do, elected
another committee with Gen. II. Dill
ger as chairman. He has called up
on Mr.. Gold to unite with him in
calling a convention according to the
law. This Mr.. Gold has declined to
do hand You the correspondence
and ask You to kindly publish it.