Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1904-05-06
Why MIR. Lindsay Resigned
Ninth District Chairmanship
Also Gives His Reasons for Opposing Col.
Slemp's denomination for Congress.

Following is the full text OF Hon.
Stuart f. Lindsay's letter explaining
why he resigned the Republican chair
manship In the Ninth Virginia Con-
gressional district and why he opposes
Col. Campbell Slemp:
Bristol, Va, April %, 1904.
To the Republicans OF the Ninth Dis
trict OF Virginia:
You have right to know why my
resignation as district chairman was
peremptorily presented on April Z at
the district convention at Bristol. i
am not willing to have my motives
misrepresented or misconstrued. You
know my record. 1 thought had done
my duty. believe you think so. had
hoped had cared recognition. II
had attained any prominence it had
come by hard labor, not by accident.
L had fought in the open-on the top
shoulder, when many OF my enemies
were silent as a grave, or in the bushes
To be slaughtered, AS was done by
deception, etc, cannot be condoned.
There airs incidents i'm ones life that
self respect demand shall not be disre-
garded. AS indicated my work as dis
trict chairman is known TO you. Col
Slemp's election in 1902 was largely
due (along with a corps OF stalwart
men throughout the district as chair
men and committees) TO my work.
Even Democrats have conceded this
When became candidate for nation
al district delegate, Col. Slemp, by let
ter and in person on April 7, expressed
his friendship. In one letter he as
sured me that if he went as delegate at
large he wished me to oe with him rs
district delegate.
thought he was my friend. Our re-
lations had been such that / was led TO
conclude he had some appreciation of
my services. He told me on Deem
Der 23, 1903. that Col. Agnew had de-
clared "that If the party had in each
district a man like Lindsay. who was
one of the ablest in Virginia, the other
districts could be organized" etc.
1 was not at Norfolk, being i'll, could
not attend. Without my knowledge or
consent l was elected alternate dele
6ate at large. Col. Slemp was elected
delegate at large. On April he urged
me 10 accept the same. expressing his
Willingness TO accept, Notwithstanding
his professed contempt and declara-
ton that he would never accept or 60
because it was tainted with organiza-
ton crime and outrage. etc. His dis
gust is memorable. The fiat was issu-
ed that anyone who minated or sug,
gested acceptance or surrender 10 the
organization forces was denounced and
told ''he should not live in the Ninth
district us Republican" That being
true yet Col. Slemp was willing TO ac
cept and go AS delegate ut large Now
If it Was wrong 10 accept at Norfolk
March Bird, how right at Bristol Z? Il
the action electing him was "taintec
with organization and outrage, etc.
and his self respect then deferred him
what what wrought the change? Or
March 3 when / heard it / declined
Immediately as alternate l reiterated
same April ut Bristol in a conference
Delegates from several counties hat
been instructed for me as distric
delegate. In order to put my attitud,
right and let them be free TO act if the'
disagreed with my position. announ
ced that / freely released any on
from any such obligation If my actor
was not approved. In the counties O
Craig, Lee, Scott, Smyth, Russell
Washington and Bristol, who-or
part-were thus handicapped, / re
ceived the solid vote of each. A trib
ute l will never forget.
That Col. Slemp was against me a
Bristol is easily demonstrated. Hi
interviews with, and letters to m,
misled me. And when it is remember
ed that (close rs we have been, know
to all informed men, who have know
ledge of politics in the Ninth distric
and the results OF my labor), he an
his sons live in Wise county; that eac
Of the other three candidates for d,
legates got votes, viz: Browning L
Honaker 8 IL, and Dickinson 8 l.
votes; and when Mr.. Dickinson Will
drew his name and his 8 IL vote
went to Mr.. Horaker, giving him IL
and Lindsay not one vote from Wis
county. no one can complain that wa
! wrong in resigining. No one can b,
H..