The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-03-17
AFFAIRS IN VIRGINIA.
cov.rnor Wells is out in letter in


which he says:
ain the first place, never heard that
an baltimore and Ohio railroad, nor any
arson in its interest or for it, wished to
Ipvrcbsse the Virginia and Tennessee rail
rnad or any interest in At, of the State Of
virginia or any other party. Nor did any
arson make for it any such proposal to
r,s Nor did make any such offer, pro-
nnsal, or suggestion to that road, OF to any
Of its agents, in any manner whatever.
do not, however, wish to avail myself Of
any advantage on account OF the narrow
and restricted form in which the charge
has been made, but propose to meet it in a
more liberal spirit and its broadest FORM"
As We did not publish either Rye's OF
r,.men,s's letter, We do not feel called
upou to publish Wells's. BE makes out q
cood case for himself. He gives all the de-
tails Of An interview with the Mr.. Wilson
who offered him $2,2o0,o 900 for the States
interest in the Virginia and Tennessee Rail.
road Company, and of others with Rye on
the same subject. AS Wilson would contra
dict these statements If not true, they may,
We suppose, be relied on. We quote:
"Perhaps in October, a Mr.. Wilson called
upon me, representing that he was connect
ed with some Of the Tennessee railroads,
and with other railroad interests, and wish
Cd 10 make purchase of the interest Of the
State in the Virginia and Tennessee road,
and you'd pay ss,200,0OO in State bonds
for it, informed him that the purchase
could not be made, because it had already
heen sold to the Consolidation Company, re-
heating at the same time what had stated to
General Malone in relation to his making
rsyments from time to time on account OF
ihepurchase; and that if it had not been sold
still it could not be done without an act Of
the Legislature authorizingit. The gentle
man at the same time asked what the views
of the Board Of Public Works we're on the
question of the propriety Of sale. l an
sSered, Il did not know, for the subject
had never been brought before them He
then asked if l would call upon Judge
Rye and ascertain mis- opinion. Con-
sentipg, I called Immediately upon the
Judge, and calling him into the passage in
front of his office, said, There is q
party here who wishes to purchase the inte-
rest of the State in the Virginia and Tennes-
see railroad, and will offer $2,200,000 in
State bonds--what do you think of it =
Mr.. Rye answered that it vas too impor-
tant a subject for US to entertain. We have
no authority to sell without an act Of the
Legislature, and I am opposed to it,
replied, Very well, that is the end Of it,
This, believe, ie fair statement, and the
substance of all that was said ct the time
on this subject by either Of us.''
The following card from Rye explains
itself;
RICHMOND, Va, March Is, 1869.
"EditorS State Journal:
"Gentlemen,-I have observed in your
columns denial of the fact that Governor
Wells designed or attempted to sell out The
States interest in the Virginia and Tennes-
see railroad. AS l understand that you
make the denial without the direct autho
rization of Governor Wells, and presumine
that you have perused the record of facts
contained in the response of James H
Clements, Esq, to my letter seeking what
ever information he had concerning this
subject, question Of veracity between
yourself and me may possibly arise in the
minds of those of our citizens who are I'M
acquainted with the prominent facts upon
which is based this grave charge against
Governor Wells. l therefore request that
you publish with this communication the
accompanying affidavit, which deem sufii-
Gent to justify my position and my course
in reference to this important subject.
Every respectfully, &C.,
"GEORGE Rye