Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1901-06-26
ICOMMuN1CATED.l

800 ASocV1c All q
proxy to represent him at late meet
ing of the democratic county COM
mittee, calls attention to n resolution
offered by him, through his proxy,
defining the duties of the county
chairman aud giving his reasons for
offering the resolution. In order that
my position and my answer to the
criticisms contained therein may be
fully understood l quote from his
article the following.
AS have heard considerable criti-
cism of late, that the chairman of the
committee had exceeded his authority,
and as l have been asked by democratic
voters in my district why l did not OPP
pose certain things, which has been done
by the chairman alone, and which had
no chance TO vote on because the COM
mittee had not been consulted,I thought
II would be fairer TO the people, the
chairman and the other members of the
committee for his duties to be defined,
and to meet that view l drew the follow
ing resolution, before leaving home
Resolved, that il is the sense of this
committee that its chairman has no su-
thority to take any step looking toward
office. for which the democrats make
nominations in the counties of Clarke
and Warren or TO prepare in any way for
a democratic campaign in said counties,
until he shall have received instruction
from his committee in meeting assem-.
bled IL is the intention of this resolution
10 take from the chairman all power in
reference 10 the management of any
campaign in said counties until he shall
have called his committee together,
which he shall do at the request of any
two members and in the event he fails TO
do so, the said members can call a meet
ing of the committee on five days notice
to each member through the nails"
which resolution was offered by Mr.
kOwnslaT and defeated by the commit
tee"
From this | gather that the chair
man has been thought by some to
have exceeded his authority IN two
directions. First, in taking steps
looking to the nomination of candi
dates for positions in which the coun-
ties of Clarke and Warren are jointly
interested. On this point ! will say
that 1t has been the custom, since the
counties have been in one Legislative
district, for the chairmen of the two
counties to act as joint committee
IN initiating steps looking to nom
lnatlOn of a candidate for the coun-
ties. This custom has been invaria-
ole and has never been criticised or
called IN question. 1t was the Gus
tom before | was made chairman and
has been adhered to by me. More
over, il is the only convenient and
practical way. A glance would
show that it would be impracticable
TO have the committees of the two
counties meet in joint session for that
purpose. 1t would be equally i'm
practicable to have them meet seper-
stely and instruct the respective
chairman. As the committees might
not fOresee and provide for every con-
tlngency which might arise, and as
the chairman would have no discre-
tionary powers in any matter, other
meetings of the committees would
have to be called which would be at
least inconyenient.
IC oCNOhN pOAub lS ludJ i nave cA-
ceeded my authority in the manage
ment of campaigns. 1t has been my
rule in every campaign where there
has been opposition to the party can
didate to call the committee together
to devise plan of campaign. Usu-
ally, a committee of two have been
appointed to assist me. 1t has been
my duty to invite speakers and ar
range for public speaking. Nothing
that | have done in this direction has
ever been objected to by any member
of the committee. Mr.. Whiting has
been Il member of the committee for
some years. He has never objected
to my management of either of these
matters to me personally. and has
never done go in a meeting of the
committee. If had overstepped nv
authority he has had frequent oppor-
tunities to have called it TO the atten-
ton of the committee. When Mr..
Kownslar, his proxy, introduced his
resolution before the committee, he
stated that Mr.. Whiting did not mean
by his resolution to cast any refec-
ton on any past action of the chair
man but to provide a rule for his flu
ture action. The resolution was de-
feated by the vote of the full com
mittee; only one vote being cast for
it. When committee composed of
such men as are now mem bers of it,
see no necessity to tie the hands of
the chairman, | think the people
may feel he has the COM
mittee's confidence AS many
may not remember who are on
the committee | will name them
w. <. Reed, NJ. H. Reardon, G. A.
Ford, r. II. Lee, Jr., f. B. Whiting.
NJ. Mccormick, @. NJ. Broun and
the chairman. | am sure the demo
Gratis of Clarke need fear no machine
methods from such men.
AS chairman of the county com
mittee | have always endeavored to
work for the best interest of the par
ty and never for the personal interest
of any man. My duties have some.
times been arduous, and have de-
msnded much of my time and some