Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1878-10-18
THE VARIAN- BARNEY DIFFICULTY.

| EDIToR APPEAL: As requested oy you
take pleasure in stating the facts as learned
by me at Reno concerning the difficulty be-
tween Mr. q. s. Varian, Republican condid-
ate for District Judge. and Mr.. Barney, editor
of the Reno Record. Dir. Varian sat at his
dinner table with his wife and children after
| spending the day il Court, and taking from
| his pocket the Record read for the first time
an article replete with malicious falsehoods
as to his record and acts while member Of
the State Senate. Recognizing in that article
| the first open and positive charge of this char
acter, and justly deeming it but the outcrop-
ping of the secret and irresponsible line of at
tack to which he has been subjected through
out the present season, his resentment was
aroused, and abruptly leaving his family
rushed to seek the author of the libel. On his
way he hurriedly procured pistol, and enter
ing the Office of the Record became convinced
| from the prompt answers of MIR. Barney to
his pressing questions that he had found the
person who was responsible for the publica-
ton. Mr.. Varian at once struck Mr.. Barney
with his fist and the latter returned the blow
Varian in retreating fell partially backwards
over the stove box, and in falling quickly
drew his pistol and fired Mr.. Barney mar
rowlp escaped the shot, and the two immed-
lately clinched, Varian being underneath, and
struggle for the pistol ensued. Mr.. Barney
was joined at once by gentleman present
and the effort to take the pistol became des-
perate, but without result until parley en-
sued, when it was agreed that Mr. Varian
should yield the weapon to the gentleman
above mentioned (whose name | did not
learn). The affray was then at an end, and
Varan and Barney entered into a talk over
| the matter in which Barney disclaimed being
the writer or having knowledge of the pub
ication of the offensive article Mr.. Barney
made complaint and Mr.. Varian was arrested
and Immediately gave bail. | am assured and
believe the foregoing to be a correct outline
of the facts. The following morning NIr.
Varian made every effort to assemble the
Republican County Central Committee and
other Republicans, and the meeting took
place-seven out of the nine committeeman
with others being present-on Thursday even
ing. The whole matter carefully con-
sidered; B1r. Varian submitting the question
of his continued candidacy unreservedly to
the meeting. The conclusion was reached
that, as Republicans, those present did not
think it advisable that Mr.. Varian should
withdraw his candidacy from the ticket
The circumstances already related were
deeply regretted and Mr. Varian con-
sdered blameworthy in proceeding as he had,
but, believing him to be innocent of the
charge brought against him; considering his
rights as a man and citizen to resent base
less SANDER; as husband and father to pro-
tect his own good character and his wife and
children from disgrace; that the honor of the
Republican party will not permit that all
man and citizen holds dear shall be attacked
and destroyed merely by reason of his pre-
Stunning to seek official preferment, it was
resolved by all that MIR Varian name should
remain on the ticket, and that the Republi-
cans of Washoe would redouble their ener-
gies to secure his election. l have now
stated in the main what observed, and in SO
doing have complied with your request
Allow me now the responsibility of saying that
no more malignant opposition was ever shown
to candidate than has been experienced du-
ring the past season and the present canvass,
by Mr.. Varian, from those who are in honor
bound to support him. Some of the more
prominent names connected with this oppo-
sition are SO well known to the community
and the Republicans of this District that
repetition by me is unnecessary. Pretended
Republicans who have never been known to
the party nominations, unless named
somewhere on the ticket, have joined in the
hue and cry. Men of wealth and influence
who owe to the party naught but cordial sup
BORT as Republicans, have determined long
.go to beat Mr.. Varian because not satisfac-
orily pliable. If defeat comes to the Judi
aal nominee next November, let it come; but
he Republican party will have the satisfac-
ion of knowing that it was true to it's colors
nd refused to second base attempts to
'lacken the character of an honest man. or to
ct its treacherous enemies advantage them f
elves through the enraged resistance of a !
nan and candidate, whom, with slanderous c
ongues, they have endeavored to assassinate i
4 the dark. Yours, very truly, Z
c. n HARRIS. Y