Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-06
GARD FROM MIR. WALLACE.
Defends the Action of the City Com
mittee i'm Ordering Early Primary.
ro Ia Editor of the Disnnfch.

To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
Richmond. Va, August 8, 1899
l had intended 10 have nothing to say
In reply to the criticisms which have
been passed upon the City Democratic
Committee as result of their action IN
ordering an early primary and falling to
put the names of the senatorial ,andi-
dates upon the ballot, because | realize
that the members of the committee are.
in restricted sense, public servants and
cannot reasonably object to tue criticism
OF their constituents; but in view OF the
many remarkable statements and inter-
views in which one of the senatorial can
didates, Governor j. Hoge Tyler, hes inn
pugned the honesty of the committee, by
inuendo II not directly, / feel that a de-
cent respect for my own reputation for
political morality, as well as regard Tor
the fair name of the committee Of which
have the honor TO be chairman, impeis
me TO make some reply.
shall have nothing to say in regard to
Governor Tylers candidacy for the United
States Senate, because i doubt not that
either he or Mr. Martin would honorably
represent Virginia in that body, but shall
confine myself strictly to the matter be-
tween the committee and Governor Tyler,
and shall endeavor to treat IL dispasslon-
ately and calmly / ascribe no malice to
Governor Tyler, for ! know the amia-
bility and gentleness Of his character; l
think, merely. that in the heat of his can
vass he has forgotten some things that
other people remember, and that, per-
haps. his criticisms of the committee
have reflected the views of some of his
advisers, rather than his own PERSONAL
opinions.
AS to the early date fixed for the pri-
mary, which Governor Tyler. in his inter-
view published July SOth, alludes TO as
snap primary" let US inquire whether
II be true that snap judgment was
taken, or whether the committee proceed
ed with that elaboration which was pro-
per- l was personally in favor Of lri-
mary in September, but when the demand
for an early primary became so insistent
called the Executive Committee to-
gether and we held a conference at which
all Of the ten candidates then in the held
were present All of the candidates, with
possibly one exception, asked us to order
an early primary, stating that the excite
ment incident TO the conference held in
this city In May last by the advocates or
the popular election Of senators had COM
PEELED the opening of the campaign, and
that an early primary was expected ana
demanded by the people. Upon the adj
vice of the Executive Committee, l then
called a meeting of the City Committee,
at which no agreement as to primary
date was reached. A few days later the
City Committee was again called 1T the
request of twelve members Of the COM
mittee. and an early primary was order
ed. This could not be fairly termed snap
Judgment" against Governor Tyler. be-
cause he had not then announced his an
didacy; but even If II was true that at
that time he had virtually decided 10 pe-
come a candidate. ii was also true that
his brother. Mr. Henry NJ. Tyler. was
member Of the committee and knew quite
as much about any probable action that
IL might take as any other member Of the
committee-besides, the matter had been
exploited at length in the newspapers, and
there can be small doubt but that most
of the people in Richmond expected mat
the primary would be ordered at some
early date.
As TO the absence Of the names rf the
senatorial candidates from the ballot, IL
is a fact that number of the committee
who personally favored Mr.. Martin were
anxious TO have the names of the senate
rial candidates placed upon the ballot
while it has been openly stated I'm one OF
the newspapers Of this city that the 1yler
men did not propose TO make night IN
Richmond, and that statement has never
been denied, so far as l am aware. Nhen
it came to a vote the alignment OF the
committee was not indicated by the soma
torial preference of the committeeman,
some of Mr.. Martins friends voting AYE"
and some mo" If Governor Tyler's
friends wanted a popular expression, that
fact was not indicated by the position OF
his brother, who made the point or ofder'
when the plan was reported by the SUD
committee charged with that duty, mat
to add the names of the senatorial can
didates was not in order (Which point
overruled), and when the matter CAME "
a vote Mr.. Tyler asked TO be excused
from voting one way or the other
The reasons advanced in the committee
against placing the names of senatorial
candidates upon the ballot were various
Some held that, the State Committee hav-
ing decided that popular vote Tor sena-
TOR was improper, our committee, being
the child of the State Committee, ma no
moral right to depart from thls uscisioh
one or two were opposed TO the thths, OH
nrinciple while others held mat IL was
at this time. But l wish 10
make clear ito the minds OF the Defho-
cratic people of this city what is very
clear in my own mind-nameiy, that INC
vote i'm the committee was cast acco-dihs
to the conscience Of each individual mem
Der. and so far as l could judge, their
preference for Martin or Tyler did LOT
influence their vote.
As to any popular criticism that ma!
have been passed upon us, as l have sa'u
before we do not object. In my ten years
L
rarely known them to decide a question
In which the people were largely interest
ed without arousing severe criu-
cism from some faction in the party.
II was so in the Cleveland-Hiil
contest. IL was SO in the ceioprateu
smith Spottswood contest, IT was so
in the Tyler-Ellyson contest, and At is SO
in this. | can only say 10 those VINO are
still disposed 10 question the proprlety O.
onr action. that the City Democratic
Co,smittee is elected bienniaily' at the
regular municipal primary, and II cur
acts are unsatisfactory TO the people II
Il their right and their privilege to ciec'
other men in our places - no
hove known Governor Tyler some ht-
tle wbile-it was my esteem for MS ihans
aS,,,rable qualities of head and heart
.hat led IA my supporting him tor Tue
nomination in l@'-ahu,
'sarafore / do not attribute his unK'hu
.s.,o,eu, of the committee TO any ma
',a,on. infant. but il Is nevertheless "n-
' ~, IA notablv unjust. He is not less
''',, Tho, other men-were IL 50 nc
,,o,,,a hs unworthy Of the devotion OF i's
nanv friends and supporters-and ! 'ea-
re. Ga the excitement Of his contest ioi
The senatorship he has oeen .eu 's,,n