The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-07-12
CHAIRMAN ELLYS0n
RESIGNS POSITION;
ECH0LS. SUCCEEDS
Neither Of His Opponents Re.
quests Him to Take
This Action
USE YOUR JUDGMENT.
WRITES Mr.. MACHEN
Mr.. Wedderburn in Replying
to Mr.. Ellyson Says He Thinks
He Should Retain His.
Position

Acting upon his own initiative and,
although both of his opponents have
written him that they would not re-
quest him to do so. Lieutenant Gov
ernor J. Taylor Eilyson has resigned
as chairman of the State Democratic
committee until after the primary Of
August 5th, and has appointed State
Senator Edward Echols. of Staunton.
to act in his stead during the pro-
gress of the campaign.
Mr.. Ellyson has taken this step be-
cause of the fact that he In cam
didate for reelection rs lieutenant
governor and wished to have no ON
cial connection with the party's con-
duct OF the primary. Both Lewis
Machen and Alexander Wedderhurrl
declined to make any request for. hfs
resignation, the former replying 10
l. request for his opinion with the
statement that he preferred for Mr..
Eliyson to use his own Judgment In
the matter, and the latter declaring
that he would rather that Mr.. Ely.
son will continue to act as Chairman.
Where It Started.
The subject was first preached At
Mt. Elliott Springs during the con-
vention of the State Press association
by Mr.. Ellyson himself. and was fol-
lowed up later by letters to Mr.. We'd
derburn and Mr.. Machen. Mr.. Ely
son asked Mr. Machen at Mt. Elliott
to give him his views on the subject,
saying that It had always been ht1
custom, when candidate for any
State office, to ask the State COM.
mittee to relieve him of his duties a.
chairman. He had not done 30 this
year, he told Mr.. Machen. because
the committee met in February a.
which time he had not decided to pe-
come q candidate for reelection. but
| was willing 10 resign ~ his oppoz
nents desired It, On June 5btn az
wrote Mr.. Wedderburn and MI.
Machen TO the same effect. asking =
reply. RE received letter from MI
Wederburn on July I'd. and yester.
day notified Mr.. Echols by long dis
lance telephone that he had resign
ed and requested him to act in his
place. Mr.. Echois agreed to do So
Yesterday afternoon Mr.. Machen re-
piled.
Mr.. Ellyson said last night that he
named Mr. Echols because of his ex-
perience on the committee. and as .
member OF the finance committee OF
the house, and because of the fact
that he was one of the original VII.
son men In Virginia. and had con-
tributed largely to his preconventfon
campaign. II thought he would be
acceptable to ALL said Mr.. Ellyson.
The corr espondence bearing on tns
question Is as follows
Ellyson To Machen.
Richmond, June IS.
Hon. Lewis H. Machen,
alexandria, Va.
my Dear Senator:
During our very pleasant CONVEX
sation at Mt Elliott Springs the other
night, l told you that I would be very
glad to be relieved of the chairman
ship of the State committee during
the campaign, and that l would have
asked that my successor be appointed
at the meeting held February 18th.
but for the fact that at that time ]
had not made up my mind to he q
candidate for denomination for lieu
said to you that
iff my continuance in the office was
not In every way agreeable to you 1
would at once ask the committee to
name some one to take charge OF the
campaign.
Il write now to renew the request
that you will decide the matter IL you
think there is the slightest objection
to my retaining the position, for I
want to do whatever Is most agreeable
to you, for whom i have the every
highest regard. especially when re-
call the pleasant relations that you
and I have always enjoyed with eAch
other. and which am sure will not
be marred by anything that will hap
pen in this campaign.
please be kind enough to be per-
fectly frank In this matter and let me
hear from you at your earliest con-
venience. l go to Gettysburg tomor-
row. but will be back In two or three
days. and whatever is necessary TO %
done will be acted upon promptly
with assurances of my highest re-
gard, believes nae. s8a6 sesssss
yours most cordially.
u. TAYLOR ELLYSON."