The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-12-21
Mar~han Decline. 10 Contest.

NOT BECAUSE HE BELIEVES lie WAS FAIRLY
DEFEATED, BUT PROM WANT oP POSITIVE
PROOF OF 5000 FRAUDULENT VOTES.
PORTSMOUTH, Va, December 10, 1882.
VI. Gssnndn. Esq, Chairman Democratic
Congressional Committee:
Nv Dear Sir,-After aiull examination.
and due consideration Of my duty 10 Tue
Democratic party Of this district, which
houorcd me with the nomination Tor Con-
.gTcss In Portsmouth on the 4th OF Octo-
Ter last. have concluded not to contest
the seat in the Forty-cighth Congress
awarded to Mr.. Libbcy by the State Cam
wasting Board in Richmond on the 18th
ulhmo. The conclusion reached is moi
because l do not believe thai gross and
great frauds and irregularities, both
before and nj the election, were perpctrated
by the friends and supporters OF my COM
pettor, IN fact TO the extent OF his election
on the face OF the returns, but because
from the long experience and expertness
Of the controller and master OF the Coa'i-
ton party, with his active and willing SER
wants, End l: impossible by POSITIVE les
timony TO overcome nearly 5000 iiiuvii,s
rolled up against me in district where
five sxths Of the voters oil the 'oaiitloh
party are puTcDasbV lt '"' '"''" ~
hcoi fi,,. so many cabhaccs.
Conscious OF having fought the fight 20
the best OF my ability, and rejoicing IN the
support OF more than 10000 WHITE Demo
cratic voters, glory In having been The
recipien, Of the suil'inges Of the worth and
intelligence OF this district, while the Cot
litonists nay rejoice in securing the scat
for Mr.. Libbg.
say this to YOU as the head Of our par
ty, TO whose diligence, activity. and cNccu-
tive ability the organization OF on district
and the large vote il mainly due. that The
people Of the district may understand that
fully appreciate and feel grateful for thou
earnest support, and that fail TO contest
the election simply for the reason that, al
ter thorough canvass Of every county III
the district since the election, investigating
the question OF frauds aud irregularities. !
do not think that can PROVE sufficient to
entitlc ne TO seat in Congress as their
representative.
/ aqk you Is return my sincere thanks 10
the Democratic press OF the district, whose
services were so generous and'so Efficient
in arousing the people to the importance OF
the contest, and to Mcssrs. John Goodc,
Baker T.. Lee, X. Il. Griffin, George u.
Parker, IL. IuckcT DTCOkt, II. ~. i'ON ~
l.. ID. Starke, j. j. Burroughs. John W.
Young, Leigh X. Watts, a. {. Withers, u.
b. Prentiss, j. III. Wright, W. G. Elliott,
J. G.. Holiday, DR.. George l.. RiycS, and
others. whose eloquent voices were heard
in behalf Of the Democratic party and my
candidacy, and to whom is largely due the
interest Of the people OF our district, rs
demonstrated by the magnificent Demo
cratic vote east on the 18th OF November
wish also to say TO the various county
and city committees, and the district COM
mittee. that the former showed their faith
by their works. the full vote being a tribute
TO their patriotism and true Democracy ;
that the latter, signallly recognizing that
they were not the bosses, but merely in
charge Of the interests OF their party, have
fully met every expectation. and deseryedly
merit the fullest appreciation.
Go on in the good work OF organization,
and this district will be redeemed, ana to
you, sir, repeat, will lie mostly due tie
praise and honor.
Very truly, your friend,
II. {. MARSHALL.