Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1886-10-14
THE VIRGINIA FREE PRESS--rHE OLD FAMILY JOURNAL.

We took occasion last week to say, that
in response to letter from Berkeley asking
us 20 refer to the files of THE FREE PRESS
and ascertain the vote published there as
cast for President Cleveland, Congressman
Wilson and Others in 1854 in this county,
we did send transcript Of the totals as
found there; and that it was not until too
late 90 make the correction for use in the
Senatorial Convention did We discover that
the published vote for Congressman was IN
accurate: and we expressed our regret that
we had been mislead by the twO-year-old
figures and thereby inrocently deceived
others. Every man who mas taken the
trouble to examine our file promptly and
cheerfullv exonerates Us from any intention
al Misrepresentation of the vote Of Jeffsr-
SON county. But what does Mr.. Mason Of
the Ucsf Iugiaia Demoerat say? We quote
him:
"Camden's managers having a majority of
the committee ON representation put the vote
of jefferson at only 21l7 One OF the Berke-
lev men produced a letter from Mr.. Gallaher,
of the Fn. Press 10 staunch Camden organ
without q particle OF influence where II IS
known purporting To- give the vote as printed
I'm his paper in November. 1854. AT this point
me Camden men halted. They dared not per-
pe.rate s0 fragrant am outrage as 20 fix the vote
of Jefferson at 162 less than she was entitled
to. The jefferson delegates offered 90 tele-
graph the County Clerk and have him report
the figures. but this was refused, and the con-
veu-iOu adjourned over until yesterday. IL
was shrewdiy suspected that Camden's mana
GERS wanted weeks delay 20 see whether
some influence could not be brought TO bear
that would change one or more OF the dele
eatg, who are opposed % his re electi0n.
Mr. Gallahcr states that his mistake was ac-
cideutal and uuinteuti0nal. We have only TO
saw that the writer is one Of the many who
does not believe this mistake would have been
made If &c had been the other way.
During the last $50 days since the committee
fixed the basis of representation, there has
been much canvassing of the vote of the three
counties and 10 seems incredible that any one,
protesting 90 be informed, should not be ac-
ouaiuted with "a fact that has been so generally
talked about and So universally recognized iu
thi- village.
Unfortunately many OF Mr.. Camdcn's parti-
IAN. dOuot enjoy enyiabIe regulations Tor good
faith and iairdea.iug. We think we know the
dri1 of public sentiment and there is de
maud Cor clean and honorable methods m pol
tiles We oppose Nir. Camden because he rep
re.euts and believes iu machine methods and
DOB tue corrupt use of money and patronage.
This country cannot prosper unless tine affairs
Ot government are administered by hightOned
and honorable men. GallahCrs letter giving
the vote at 2ll7 when 20 is 2919 is but i'm keep
ing with Camden's policy throughout the
State and TO is the duty of an thoughtful citi
zeus Co denoUnce and discourage such prac-
tees they DO no good and must do harm.
Nobody knows better than Mr.. Mason
that i'm the ioregoing he was seeking to dis
credit the character of the editor of this
paper.
Atwhose request dij We examine THE
FREE PRESS files several days before the
Berkeley Springs Convention? The follow
ing letter answers:
NAErNsBURG. w. Va, Sept. %, 1856.
IS. rs. B. GALLhuEE ESQ. 'har.estown.
Dear >r,-Wu you kindly refer % the file
ui your paper and write nae what the vote OF
your county was for tbe following
Oct. "a. So Governors State senator.
Soy. o. 81 President Congressman.
By SD doing You viii greatly obhge,
Yours. etc.. ALEN. PARKS, JB.
Please reply by return mail and obiige.
Who is Mr. Parks Is he a Camden
partisan" who docs not enjoy am enyiable
reputation tog good faith aud tair dealing
We can best answer by quoting Mr.. Mason
uao says
-Dapt Parks is % christian gentleman and
stands admirably where he is known. He was
defeated because DE was uou-comuuttal ON The
Syua.or,hp.'
The Spirit ef J6,ro. said last week OF
Mr. Parks:
"Nr Parks came into the convention at this
Time and being asked 10 he did not know JET
fer-ou county wa, entitled Co 2219 answered
thu-.y. That Ge did not, aud he would not ac-
ceut 90 nomination , the hands of Tins Couven-
t.ou DO amy unfair advantage was taken; he
wanted each county to- have its representation.
We gave a transcript of the vote as pub
H,hed I'm THE FREE PRESS at the request Of
Nr. Parks as we would have done at the
bidding of any other gentleman. Any coll
fusion on the par, of this honorable gentle
man and oursclf, OF course Mr. Mason
didn't believe 10 or hcwould not have char
act,rizei Mr.. Parks as "a christian gentle
man" ,hat Stands admirable where he is
known"
Now Mr. Mason is pretty fellow to CUES
ton the integrity or yeracity or common
sense of any man. Why the editor of THE
FREE PRESS has never been accused of be-
m. higbwaymau-never stole a bridge or
by the techuicalities of law took the pro
coe5s of one built by other peoples money.
The editor of THE FREE PRES, never was
characterized 10 open court as having sworn
90 that which DE knew to be false, or by
distinguished counsel pilioried in the pres
encc Of "a judge as q wilul, deliberate and
malicious ,iar' There is but one man at the
bar of Jeferson-snd never has been but
one chat we ever heard ot-of whom the
universal Judgment of hi, legal brethren
was. 8, and ever shall be, until he repents,
that his word is only "a, good as his bord
and his bond Is as filthy rags. We give it
as our candid Judgment and we are not APP
prebensiye of an appeal TO a higher court,
thai, if the editor of The Democrat was play
ing croquet and the balls were Truth he
would never get one through "A wicket.
ID there are those who think that We I'M