The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-07-20
Letter from Mr.. Wynne--His Inconsistency a
Failurc--He Does not Own the ''News"--
Ben. Scotts Bad Aslyisers--Mr. Nynne
Hopes He Will Lead Better Life.

| Sir--Ny attention having been called to the fol
lowing passage in one of your recent locals, viz
"Seeing our notice of yesterday, in witch we
stated that Mr.. Wynne had presented to the
| Council, Ben's petition for work, II gentleman
writes us when Ben. professed to be u Repub-
lican, the Eyeaif'g Neics regarded us Mr.
MSnmG pape q 81, 5e 9 s sSTq
was arrested, and as write, the forces OF
Diayor Ellyson have the scouDdrel in charge, and
are on their way to the City Hall with him.
"If.Ben. was Il scoundrel then he is q scoun-
drel now: and yet Mr.. Wynne asks the Council
to employ him. We know but little of Ben.'s
character in 1870. but relying upon the statement
| of our contemporary, we are forced TO acknowl-
edge we agree with 1t.
have to say that the attempt to show up my
inconsistency will, hope, be considered fail
pre, when assure you and your correspondent
that had nothing to do with the qtterance of
the EreniRq NeirS at the time named in the ex-
tract; and if it was regarded as my paper this
| opinion was not founded upon any evidence, and
that had not then, March q, 1S70) and have
not now any right, title, interest in the above
named paper; and, therefore ought not to be held
responsible for anything which appeared in it.
At the same time, should not have objected to
the expression used in connection with Ben Scott
at that time as he appeared before the public,
any more than would refrain from aiding him
he was acting under the influence of "bad white
men, ~ more than u year ago, is no reason what
ever that he should not be encouraged to obtain
employment and lead better life at this time.
Respectfully,
July goth, ISL THos W. WYSSE
[#See STATE JOURNAL of the 18th inst.
Mr.. Wynne hopes our attempt to show
his inconsistency failure, inasmuch as he
did not in 1870, and does not now, own an
interest in the Meas. We accept his state
ment as true, but feel sure it will be news
to even many of his Democratic friends.
He, however, r''rums wild der machine" !"
and did when it pronounced Ben Scott a
sco,utdsel. AT that Etime the Neacsj failed
to qualify Ben's ecoundrelism, but stated it
as a fact, regardless of influences. If he
was one then, the teachings of bis present
patrons. however moral In their character,
will not change him.
We never wished to be understood as
exempting men who claimed to be members
of the Republican party from censure as
''bad white men," using improper influence
with the colored people. They are in both
parties, which every truthful man must adj
init. Ben Scott was notorious in the last
election, as the friend of Mr.. Wynne and
Mr.. StTaus, in their ward and we have
every reason to believe, induced a number
of the colored msaa to vote for them against
their own ticket, thereby electing them
, members of the present Council. That he
SnOulu NC SlllSieu OUT ailu ciiCouitSOu w
obtain employment" while there are thou
sands in want of work more deserving
smells little ''rattish.o
The City Council, Judging from its pres.
cnt character, will not make of itself Q
green pasture upon which to feed such cat
tie as Ben Scott.
We commend the course Of Mr., Wynne
in encouraging such renegades as Ben Scott
''to obtain employment" i" but if he sader-
takes to induce such as he to ''lead better
life at this time," we are satisfied he will
have his hands so full Of s. moral matter =
he will be unable to attend to any official
duties. His absence from the Council
while praying for Ben, would be a great
loss to the deliberations of that body; Ger.
tainly it would be robbed of much of its
interest to the community, and particularly
to those whose duty It is to report its pro
ceedings.
! There are honest Demoserats--poor mer
who have been ''workers in Zion" suffi-
GENTLY long to do all the work ''to let" by
the Council, and who will not stand by and
see rewarded before them the 'scoundreP
who was induced to go against the pagty
which he disgraced always as long as he
was member of it.
| Mr.. Wynne has found hard protege, O
which he will gladly rid himself the first op
portunity. Ben will stick like wax, and bt
| hard to mil off