The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-06-19
THE REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE
still at Work Settling the Contests of
Delegates to the National -Conven-
tion

Philadelphia. June 1.-THE republi-
can national committee began business
today by taking UP the contest from
the Norfolk, Va, district. In this dis
trict, ex-Congressman George z. Bow
den and William S. Holland claim TO
be the regular delegates, while this
honor is contested by H. H. Libbey
anu a. H. Martin.
John A. Wise appeared for Libbey
and Martin. He contended for the
regularity of the convention which Sc
lected his clients and attacked the op-
position in bitter terms, growing
quite personal in his reference 10 Mr..
BoWden. He charged him with de-
sire only TO control the patronage
without reference to party success.
saying that Bowden had himself voted
the democratic ticket.
Mr. Bowden contradicted in vigorous
language Mr.. 'Wise's claim to regular
ity, saying that he and Holland had
been elected almost two months be-
fore they heard of the pretensions OF
Libbey and Martin. He claimed that
the convention at which they were
appointed district chairman and that
it was fully endorsed by the state COM
mittee.
The committee then decided upon the
urgent request of the delegates from
Alabama to reopen some district
cases from that state. The committee
decided to place on the temporary roll
Aldrich and Smith, Vaughanites, from
the Fourth district and Lathrop and
Ewell, Wickersham men from the
Seventh district. The transaction was
accomplished without discussion. The
contest in the Second district was
withdrawn and the Vaughan men were
seated
The contest in the FIFTH Texas dis
trict was decided in favor of the Green
delegates on the ground of regularity.
The Green delegates were also seat
ed in the Ninth Texas district. They
are ]. S. Hornberger and J. T. Har-
ris. The committee then took a re-
cess until 8 o'clock.
The following resolution was intro
duced by Henry E. Tiepke, Of Rhode
Island:
Whereas, The repre- in con-
gress now ACCORDED to the several
states of the union on the basis Of
Article XIV, Section of the constitu-
ton, ought to be modified so that in
every state wherein the right to vote
is denied to amy of the male inhabi-
tants thereof, being q years Of age
and citizens of the United States or
wherein said right is in anyway
abridged, except for participation in
rebellion or other crime, representation
in congress and in the electoral college
should be reduced in the proportion
which the number Of male citizens so
deprived of the right of suffrage shall
bear to the whole number OF male cit
liens, q years of age in said state.
Therefore, be it
Resolved, That the republican ma
tiohal committee recommend that if
the republican party is continued in
control of congress it invoke and ex-
ercise the power of congress granted
by Article XIV section ;, 70 enforce
by appropriate legislation the objects
of this resolution"
This resolution called forth some de-
bate, w:lich was participated in by
Senators Hanna, Scott and others.
Both Senators Hanna and Scott ex-
pressed sympathy with the purpose OF
the resolutions, but said that they
were of the opinion that the question
was one for the national convention
itself and not the committee. The res
olution was laid upon the table by
vote of "a to 19.