Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-01-23
VIRGINIA REPUBLICANS.

committees of the Virginian republican
party met at the Hotel Carroll, in Lynch
burg, Saturday night under the call ro-
Gently issued by Chairman Park Agnew
and disposed of considerable amount of
business relating to party affairs in the
State. Mr.. Agnew's resignation was &C
cepted, and O. Bascom Slemp, son of
Congressman Slemp, was elected in his
stead. The contest between Snead and
Allan for place on the executive commit
tee from the Third district was decided
ia favor of the former.
The first business before the executive
committee, which met first, was the con-
test from the Third district. Judge l..
L. Lewis, of Richmond, appeared on be.
half of G. P. Snead, who claimed to be Q
regular member Edgar Allan, jr., who
had been declared member at the pre-
yious meeting, appeared for himself.
The statement of Judge Lewis appeared
10 impress the committee, and Mr.. Snead
was seated. All of the FEDERAL Office
holders members of the committee re-
signed, and their places will be filled UNI
der the plan Of organization of the party
by the respective congressional commit
tees.
When the central committee was CALI
ed to order at $3.50 o'clock by Mr.. Ag-
new, iosty-four of the fifty members were
represented in person or by proxy. Ag-
new vacated the chair, calling S. Brown
Allen to preside, aud he Immediately
handed his resignation to the secretary
to be read. 1t vas as follows:
Alesandris, Va, Jan. 81, 1905.
! To the State and Executive Committees:
You have been called to meet at this time
at the request of our Representative in Con.
gress, the Hon. Campbell Slemp. and with
the approval of others prominent in party
c0unsels, for the purpose Of formulating a
policy for influencing and governing party ac.
ton in the coming State campaign. The
most import Mt condition for minority par
ty, such as we are al this time, is that il shall
enter a contest with its maximum strength.
1t has been frequently asserted by prominent
members of the party that the present organ
ization, through its chairman, was not aggres-
siye enough, and that a different policy would
bring much better results and D obably place
our State in control Of the party to which we
belong. do not believe that anyone Of our
political faith has a more earnest desire than
myself for such result. have since my
party called me to the position now occupy,
in 1897, to the present time utilized my best
Judgment, effort and ability. and such means
as possess for the upbulding Of republican.
ism in the State, and as my future course in
all probability would he reflection ofthei
past, surrounded by the same conditions. and
which does not and has not had the approval
of those who contend that a campaign such as.
they would inaugurate would bring;therefore.
in order that trial Of the claims of those.
who disapprove my policy may be given 10
the party, / have decided that, so far as I
am able, will contribute all ] can to maxi
mize our strength and to remove the criticism
made by some Of our prominent members, by
handing back to the same representative body
OF the party who placed me first at its head
in 1897 my resignation, TO take effect ut
once.
In doing this wish it to be understood that
/ am not influenced by any other motive than
the hope that my action will bring good re-.
suits, and that the new policy may make
friends 10 Virginia such as its advocates clanz
that it will. So far as ] know, | am noe
aware, and do not believe. that / have tbe
ill-will OF any member of the party ip the
State. and | certainly know that ana entire
ly free in that respect.
desire 10 express to this committee and
through il to the republicans Of the State. my
appreciation and thanks for the honor confer
red upon me in the city Of Lynchburg in 1891
and for a renewal Of their Confidence In the
conventions Of 1900 and 1904. in the city of
Norfolk. desire also to thank them for the
kindness and loysl support which has been
gwen 10 me duriDg the years of my admins
traSlon. ID Will be my effort to discharge my
duty TO the party in the ranks as | have en-
deayored to do in my official capacity.
sincerely hope that my successor may be able
to meet the expectation of every member of
the party, and that he will hold them together
as a unit.
pl dge to my successor my help and cor
dial support to make his administration
success. Respectfully,
PARK AGNEW.
r. Taylor Gleaves, of Wythe, who
placed Mr. Agnew in nomination for
the position eight years ago, moved that,
the resignation be accepted. This was
done, and the chair recognized Morgam
Treat, who placed Mr.. Slemp in nomi-
nation. A food Of oratory followed, In
which dozen party workers seconded
the nomination. Mr.. Slemp was char
acterized as a capable worker and organ
izer, the speakers predicting a great rec
ord for the new chairman.
The election was made unanimous,
aud Mr.. Slemp accepted the honor in Il.
spirited speech, promising to give hiss
earnest efforts toward the success of the
party in Virginia.
A resolution urging the party to make
a fight in every county, city and town
of the State for local offices, az well as
for General Assembly, was unanimously
adopted. Then followed speeches by
Campbell Slemp, Judge Lewis, G. A.
Herrmans and John G. Blair, in which
the speakers congratulated the party
upon the personnel of the gathering, it
bling stated that it was the most repre-,
sentative ever held other than at State
convention, and predicting a great
future for the party in the State.
A resolution offered by Mr. KeezelI
rendering Mr. Agnew the thanks of the
we're adopted by rising vote
amid much enthusiasm.
The resolution was as follows:
Resolved, BY the republican and state execa.
tive committees Of Virginia, in session in the
city Of Lynchburg, Va, this 21st DAY of jan
nary. 1905, that we tender to the Hon. Park
Agnew, our retiring State chairman a vote Of
thanks for his faithful discharge of the duties
IS State chairman during his incumbency;
and We pledge 10 our newly-el ected chairman
Hon. G. B. Slemp, the hearty cooperation OF
very element Of the republican party in yir-
:iniR,