Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-04-25
Iished must say YOU have done me and

iished | must say you have done me and
other senators very great injustice, in
charging that there was a collision or
combination as to the election of Board of
Directors for the Deaf and Dumb Asylum,
having for its chief object the election of
Major Charles S. Roller as superintendent
of the same. But for the verysgreat in
justice you have done others I would treat
your card with that silent contempt which
[ think it deserves.
The facts in this matter are as follows
The present incumbent of the asylum as
superintendent is the Hon. Charles S.
Roller, who was my former roommate
and bed-fellow and is my particular friend.
Although we have differed very widely In
our politics. and perhaps in our religion,
none of these differences have ever aliena-
ted our friendship, and if | may be al
lowed to say it, think was instrument
tai, through the kindness of Major Roller,
in retaining Democratic professor in
that Institution under Readjuster rule.
And when the fact became known to me
that the Hon. John N. Opie was person.
al enemy and prosecutor of Major Roller
would have been an ungratetul dog had [
not loaned my influence in retaining
gentleman in this position fitted specially
for this place, and with no charge against
him save that he had been a Readjuster.
Mr.. Opie's Democracy could permit him
to lioniZe Messrs. Wickham and Callahan,
and install in fat Office Mr.. Wingfeld,
all Straightout Republicans, but he can
| not permit my Democracy to recommend
| gentleman who had been a Readjuster,
and am alluded to by MI. Opie as the
doubtful Thomas" In reply to which
will say that l have never had doubt
| oto ufhinn in tho nupoOoraau of
Mr.. Opie, and the sanity Of any consttu-
ency that would elect such a fire.eater af-
| ter having for their representatives such
men, as John B. Baldwin and John Echols.
| No, Mr.. Opie, L am not now nor never
! was a Readjuster, but 1 am afraid it is
| more than you can say :; and as to any al
fusion of yours about marcenary motives,
| &C., of mine it contempbuouSly refutes
itself among all sensible and decent peo-
pie. What can [ gain from a party that
is in the minority two to one and elected
as my successor, under ReadjusJer rule a
Republican judge? Conscientiously op-
posed as | was with four Or five senators
that agreed with me in caucus against
running these institutions as you would
| political machine, and in view of the oath
| that each member of the Board of Direc-
tors have to take, how they can do other
| wise than act non partisan L cannot see.
l will state this, that did make a request
of some of these gentlemen whom l
thought possibly might be placed on the
| Board of Directors for the Deaf and Dumb
| Asylum, and some of these gentlemen
| promised to use their influence for Mr..
Roller in the event of their being on the
! Board OF Directors. Only two members
! that had ever spoken to happened to be
placed upon the Board, and after they had
been nominated not one of them have l
ever importuned or have they made to me
| any promises since their appointment as
directors; and | will further declare that
| am not (by many the only Democrat in
the State of Virginia that has recon-
mended Major Roller for reelection :;
| and if necessary l can name some Of the
more influential Democratic canvassers in
the State who have given this gentleman
the highest testimonials. In vindication
of myself and friends, hope Mr.. Opie
and the public will read this card.
| am very respectfully,
T. J. CHRISTIAN.
P. S.-This card would have been pub
lished sooner had 1 not absent from the
city. T. J. G.