The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-08-06
CHAIRMAN WALLACe'S POSITION.
lie Replies 10 the Criticisms Against
the Committee.

The following is taken from a statement
made by Mr. jefferson Wallace. chairman
Of the city Democratic Committee, IN re-
gard 10 the criticisms which have been
passed upon the Committee as the result
OF their action In ordering an early pri-
mary and failing TO put the names OF the
senatorial candidates upon the ballot:
AS to the early date fixed for the
urinary. which Governor Tyler, in his
interview published July soth. alludes to
as a snap primary" let us inquire
whether Il be true that snap judg-
mcnt" was taken, or whether tho Com
nittoe proceeded with that deliberauon
which Was proper. ! was personally in
favor OF a primary In September. but
when the demand for an early primary
became so insistent, ] called the Execu-
tive Committee together and we held
conference at which all Of the ten can
didates then in the held were present. All
of the candidates, with possibly one eX-
ception. asked us 20 order an early pri-
mary. stating that the excitement in
cident 10 the conference held in this city
In May last by tho advocates OF the
popular election Of senators had com
PEELED the opening Of the campaign and
that an early primary was expected and
demanded by the people. Upon the ad-
vice Of the Executive Committee, ] then
called 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 al the
request of twelve members of the Com
mitiec and an early primary WAS ordered.
This could not be fairly termed snap
Judgment against Governor Tyler, be
candidacy. but even ~ 10 was true that,
al that time ne had virtually decided %
become 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 C0mmittee-besides, the matter had
been exploited al length in the newspa-
pers. and there can be small doubt but
that most OF the people IN Richmond ex~
pected that the primary would be ordered
az some early date.
"As 10 the absence OF the names Of the
senatorial candidates from the banot, 30
is a fact that a number Of the Committee
who personally favored Mr.. Martin were
anxious 20 have the names Of the sena-
torlal candidates placed upon the ballot
while Il has been openly stated I'm one OF
the newspapers Of this city that the Tyler
men did not propose 10 make fight IN
Richmond and that statement has never
been denied, so far as / am aware When
IL came TO q vote. the alignment Of the
Committee was not indicated by the SEN
storial preference of the committeeman,
some OF Mr. Martins friends voting aye
and some mo" II Governor Tyler's
friends wanted a popular expression. that
fact was not indicated by the position or
his brother, who made the point or order
when the plan was reported by the sub
committee charged with that duty, that
10 add the names OF the senatorial candi-
dates was not in order (Which point l
over-ruled) and when the matter came
10 a vote Mr Tyler asked TO be excused
from voting one way or the other.
THE reasons advanced in the Com
mittee against placing the names OF SEN
atorial candidates upon the ballot We're
various. Some held that the State Com
mittee having decided that popular vote
for Senator was improper, our Commit
tee. being the child of the State Commit
tee had no moral right TO depart from
this decision One or two were opposed
10 the thing, on principle while Others
held that It was unnecessary al this time
But 1 wish 90 make IL clear % the minds
Of the Democratic people Of this city what
IS very clear in my own mind, nancy
that the vote of the Committee was cast
according 10 the conscience of each in
dividual member and. so far IS l could
Judge their preference for Martin OF
Tyler did not influence their vote.