The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-04-14
MIR. BINFORD TO THE RESCUE.
IIenrico. April Y.

Henrico. April Il, 1894.
10 the Editor OF the Dispatch:
notice an editorial in the Richmond
Times OF to-day rejecting on our county
chairman. Mr.. j. c. Mitchell.
| want all good Democrats in Virginia
10 know that this attack is uncalled for
unkind. and unjustifiable. and the facts
in the case do not warrant any such at
tack. w. j. BINFORD.
Mr.. Binford is the delegate from Hen
rico to the existing Legislature.
1t does not appear why Mr.. Binford
assumes the role of protector of Mr..
j. c. Mitchell. nor do we know why
he supposes "all good Democrats in Viz
ginia" Will disbelieve The Times. and
Will accept his statement that what he
calls an attack" by The Times is ''un-
called for and unjustifable." 1t is I'M
doubtedly great honor to represent
Henrico county worthily in the Legisla-
ture, but it is possible that MIR. Binford
assumes that his representative position
gives him an exaggerated consequence
with the people Of Virginia. When The
Times does attack" any one, we doubt
very greatly If the force of its "attack"
viii be neutralized by card from Mr..
Bnford, informing "all good Democrats"
that in his opinion the attack" is ''un-
called for and unjustihable."
But what attack" has The Times made
upon Mr.. J. G. Mitchell?
II has made none! 1t has. however.
stated that Mr.. Mitchell. as chairman of
the Democratic party for Henrico county
presented to the electoral board, when II
was about TO appoint the judges of cleo
toa for the county. list of two Demo-
cratic and one Republican judges for
each voting precinct In the county. That
the chairman of the Republican party
requested the board to select the Repub-
lican Judge at each election precinct, which
were proposed by him as representative
of that party. but that the electoral
board. by "A vote of two to one (Mr. Pope
opposing), accepted the list as Mr.. Mitchell
presented 1t, and thus allowed the Demo-
cratic chairman 10 appoint the represen-
tatives at the election of both the parties.
The Times dsclaimed all purpose TO
intention of committing fraud, but pointed
out that this kind of procedure might
plainly place 1t within Mr.. Mitchells
power to provide for stuffng each bal
iot-box as he pleased, with no apparent
way OF preventing it, or uncovering il
after 1t was done. The first part of the
statement is a statement OF what are
facts. and the second part is conclusion
which any man. however limited his
intelligence. can see is conclusion au-
thorlzed by the facts.
MIR. Binford may be right In thinking
II 'unkind' 10 state these facts and 10
point out this inference from them From
his standpoint IL may be an "uncalled''
for and "unjustifable' act in u public
people matters of vital Importance like
these. But The Times must be permitted
TO take different view Of the case. In
its opinion n course OF this sort is not
only called for and Justjhable" in a
true Democratic newspaper. but a part
Of Its most imperative duty.
The fundamental error>in Mr.. Binford 5
MIND. and In the minds OF those who
agree With his position. is tass expressed
by MT. Lewis-one OF the board), that the
electoral board represents only one party.
ana that the Democratic. when in truth
the board represents the whole body Of