The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-08-19
A Gard from Gen. Wickham
RICHMOND VA August 8. 18S

TO the Editor of the Wing:
SO long as you were content to confine yourselves
myself which you doubtless thought would help
your party, had no objection to your doing So
with four or five or your paragraphs in your paper
of to-day, you would never have heard from me in
regard 20 them. But the long editorial of to-day, in
N Oh my name is introduced, is of such tone that
II would be improper for to let it pass in silence.
You 1nS1nuate that last winter $4,000 sent by
Mr. Huntington, the president Of this company, to
Richmond, 10 be- used for the purpose of securing
my election to the United States Senate against
Gen. Malone. l assert that Mr. Huntington did not
send or furnish in any way cent for any such
purpose, or for the purpose of in any way control
ling the action of the Legislature ON any subject
whatever. am also perfectly that no one else
furnished or expended any mony to procure my
election to the United State Senate.
In regard to the Ross Hamilton BIZ, Mr.. Hunting
ton never heard of it before 1t Introduced ino
the General Assembly, If then or since. prepared
the bill myself, at the instance of Hamilton had ii
printed, and did send copy to New York to the
parties representing tne bondnolder5, with a view
10 obtaining thelr assent to the modification OF the
contract with them, not being willing to interfere
with that contract except with the assent OF the
ties thereto.
Mr. Huntington has never in any way interfered
with the politics of Virginia. does he propose
do SO. If he wants any legislation i'll connection
with the road Of which he is president it is openly
brought forward and stands or falls on its merits
and no measure has been brought forward in tina
connection that is not of benefit the people of tn,
State.
There is nothing in the laws of the United States
of Virginia. that in any way inhibit5 officer
railroad company from serving on an electora
college. There is nothing in the rules of The Chesa
peake and Ohio Railway Company that makes pc
Htical opinion in any way bear upon the employ
ment any of its men, but it is rule OF the com
pany fill all its positions with the best material
obtain; and il is not surprising that NO OF II
o1ficers-one republican and the other uemocra
should be the electoral tickets OF their respect
i've parties and the very fact that they are tner
give earnest that the company itself does not mi
up with politics. but does give its employees freedom
of thought and action upon political matters.
Individually, have once cast a vote as an electo
for Gen. Grant for President. L hope and eXpeC
this fall to cast my vote elector for Gen Garfield
but this is matter with which the management
OF the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Company d
not wish or propose to have any concern, any NOR
than they do with the action of Gen. Echols in tn
discharge of his duties member of the democrat
ic electoral ticket.
repeat, gentlemon, that 1 do not care how muc
of your space you may use in paragraphs at my e.
pense, but pray you word them not to pr,
due the impression (Which L certainly do not no
suppose is your purpose else l should not haH
troubled you with this letter. that l my friend
whose names you connect with mine in those art
cles have been guilty of any breach Of morals
law. ask that you publish this
Your obedient servant,
WINS. &. MICkHAN,