The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-12-07

The fraud shriekers seem to be holding
Quaker meeting now. Immediately after
the election, and until within a week ago,
they yelled themselves hoarse and the
whole pack Yied with each other IN depict
ingthe wild revel OF frauds through which
the State had passed on the 9TH. Each ac-
count was more narrowing than its prede-
cessor, and the minutest details were not
wanting. Suddenly, however, change
has been brought about. Tie howl OF de-
fance has been succeeded by miserable,
cringing whine. They who little while
ago called loudly for investigation now
shrink and cry persecution when investiga-
ton is ordered. 1t was all very well when
reckless scribblers could SANDER the State
by publishing to the world alleged unclean-
ness, but when these men are brought to
the book and asked to prove their asser-
ions they call it an Infringement of the
liberty of the press. There is no law
VIII ich gives the newspapers the right to
make wholesale charges without sc intilla
of proof to sustain them. In the interest
Of government and the fair name of the
State they should be called TO account
when they undertake to defame a people.
This whole cry of fraud is well illustrated
by the facts as they exist in Augusta coun"
ty. The polls had scarcely been closed, be-.
fore the wires were busy conveying az
counts of "gross frauds committed in the
county. Shortly afterwards more specific
information was given. 1t was stated
that a number of tickets had been discov-
cred signed by the delinquent tax collec-
tors, and not filed out. These tickets were
alleged to have been issued so that the
name of the voter might be filled in on the
day of elect ion. 1t was further stated that
these tickets had been handed to Mr.. AL
bert Roller, of this county. by an unknown
negro man and that Mr.. Roller had turned
| them over to Capt. James BUmgardner,
| Commonwealth Attorney. 1t now turns
out that nobody who had seen the tickets
stated that they were untitled. Mr.. Roller,
we are informed, says he does not know
whether they were filed out or not, and
Capt. Bumgardner, when asked by Mr..
| Craig, Chairman of the Readiuster Com
mittee, if he had any untitled tickets in his
hands, stated that he had not examined
them and knew nothing of their contents.
In like manner great fuss and Juror was
! raised about a colored man named McGuf-
| fin, VINO was lodged in ia il on the charge
of perjury, he having voted after being
publicly whipped. 1t was true that Nc
Guffin had been publicly whipped, but he
was not disfranchised thereby for the offence
was committed and punishment inflicted
before he became of age. Until he was
an enfranchised citizen, it can hardly
be claimed that he could be disfrancbised
When the case comes up for trial we have
no doubt, from the facts as we learn them,
that the accused will be set at liberty.
1t is boldly announced that there
| were frauds enough committed in Augusta
to overcome Capt. Paul's official majority
of 205. Now let the parties making this
charge be forced to prove it. The United
States Court meets at Harr isonburg in a
short time, and let those who have been so
free in their accusations appear before the
Grand Jury, and state under oath just
what they do know. There the opportuni-
| ties will be given tc make good their charges
if they can be made good. Certainly moth
ing could be fairer, and if justice is
wanted it can be had.