Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-08-22
From the Richmond Dispateh.]
The Parr .DickersOn Charge.

From the Richmond Dispatch.
The Parr .Dickerson Charge.
Mr.. EDIToR:-I have just seen a
statement of Mr.. Parr, of Patrick, in
the Wing of yesterday, which he says
he was impelled to make by sense OF
party duty.
I am sorry his duty to party over
rides higher duties and nObler cOnsid-
erations.i
I will not characterize "this state
ment" as it deserves, but give your read.
ers a correct statement of facts, and
leave them to judge between US.
Hon. John F. Lewis, Capt. John 8.
Wise, H. H. Riddleberger, and I were
all candidates for election to the United
States Senate.
Each had interviews with their
friends. All the candidates except Rid
dlebeger preferred the election of either
of the others to that of Riddleberger.
All knew, however, that Riddleberger
was Mahone's candidate, and that Ma
hone would likely control the caucus.
Each candidate had interviews with
his respective friends. The first formal
interview I remember to have had with
any of my friends was in my room. Maj.
IlaIo anu Oots V0uSAonj Va SA"y So
Judge Lybrook and Mr.. Parr, Of Pat
Dick erson, of Floyd, and, I think, some
others were present. I cannot now re-
member certainly who they were.
The two most earnest advocates of my
election then present we're Mr.. Dicker-
son, of Floyd, and Mr.. Parr, of Patrick.
Mr.. Dickerson declared that was the
choice of his people; that he intended
to stand by me and do all he could fol
me, and said over and over again to the
others "Let us stand by the old gen.
tleman and elect him"-using these
identical words and other similsr ex-
pressions. Mr.. Parr was equally and
think still more emphatic In his decla-
rations of determination to vote for me
and to do everything in his power to
induce others to do so. So far as !
know both of these gentlemen would
have voted for me. Indeed am quite
sure they would have done so.
After fairly canvassing the matter
and my friends became satisfied thai
Malone had such control of majority
of the caucus that there was no chance
for the election of any one but Riddle
berger, and I withdrew from the con-
test.
After Ihod aUithdrdt0,a fuona the con
test, knowing there was no chance fol
my election, but remembering the deer
interest Mr.. Parr had manifested In my
behalf, and having heard that he was
suffering some pecuniary embarrass-
ment. I felt DESTROYS of showing my
appreciation of his friendship and doing
him kindness, and said to him: 81
greatly appreciate the interest you have
manif ested in my behalf, and If car
do ytu a kindness it will afford MT
pleasure, and if you have need of few
hundred dollars for a year or 30 you can
get it think these were my exact
words.
My brother, J. T. Massey, had just
sent rae draft he had received from
the North for one thousand and twenty
dollars, which he requested me to invest
for him. I had deposited the money in
the ''City Bank of Richmond, Va
and i is there yet.
My only thought and purpose was te
lend Mr.. Parr a few hundred dollars
and should have required him to make
1t perfectly secure. AS he did not call
upon me for it, said nothing more to
him about it.
The thought Of offering him an in.
ducement for his vote or influence never
cutcIcO Ivy 1uiuu, VI tAC thOuShC Ch"'
he could so cOnstrue it.
Why should 1 have done SO? I had
then Withdrawn from the contest. Even
if it had been before I had withdrawn,
why should have offered him such an
Indictment to vote or work for me
He had assured me in the most positive
terms of his active support. What more
could I have expected of bin? Do
men buy that which they have already
without buying?
The nomination of a candidate for
Auditor of Public Accounts by the Re-
adjuster caucus was under consideration
for two months after the election OF
United States Senator. Several votes
were taken, and Mr.. Parr voted for me
every time, notwithstanding I had re-
fused to submit to the arbitrary and de-
grading rules of the caucus. Why did
he do this If he thought had offered
to bribe him? Why did he not rather
go before the investigating committee
and expose me if he thought had done
wrong. instead Of supporting me in the
caucus persistently for two months
after?
The only fair solution of the matter
is that his statement was an after con-
sideration and prepared to order.
During the contest in the Legislature
over the election of Auditor of Public
Accounts, after the joint order for his
election was broken, Mr.. Dickerson, of
Floyd, seemed to be the chief agent of
the Mahoneites in getting the joint or
der re-established. 1t was his represent
tation which deceived Maj. Hale and
caused him to vote differently from the
other big Four" on that occasion.
From some cause unknown to me he
changed over to Malone.
I heard of his whispering around to
other members that if they knew what
he did they would not support me, but
would not tell them what it was.
went to him in the House and told
him what had heard, and insisted if
he knew or had heard anything to my
prejudice he ought not to use it in that
secret way, but to state it openly. He
gave me no satisfaction at first, and
seemed DESTROYS to evade the subject.
He finally agreed that if would wait
until he could ''see certain man"
~,;kh1,,k foJIinr mo uhn tho n