Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-01-11
WILL BE NO CONTEST
Mr.. SOUTHWARK D WRITES TO COLONEL
ElLETT WITHDRAWING HIS NOTICE.
jority of the Votes Cast-Says tho
Election Was Fair.

Colonel Tazcwell Elicit will take his
seat IN the next House OF Representa-
tives backed by a Democratic plurality
OF over 1900. and with the satisfaction
that n one Is fighting for the place for
which he holds the certificate.
Even Mr. J. Wilbur Scuthward. his de-
fea;ed Republican opponent, has become
satisfied that he RECEIVED a majority OF
the votes cast. and has abandoned the
intention OF making contest. Mr.. South
ward served notice of contest several
weeks ago. but sent a letter TO Colonel
Elicit yesterday Withdrawing this notice.
our congressman-elec IS aisO in receipt
Of letters from all three OF the other
defeated asplrants. testifying TO the hon
orable manner in which he conducted
his canvass. and stating that the election
in this district was. as the Dispa,ch has
maintained all along. perfectly fair AMI
honest
when Colonel Ellett was seen by Dis
patch reporter last night. he said sD far
As he was personally concerned he dt
not care FOR the publication OF the letters.
but that he desired 10 vindlcate the people
= the district and the election officers.
MR.. SOUTHWARD'S WITHDRAWAL.
Mr. S1utAwlrIs Letter bears date 0t
yesterday. and reads:
Dear Sir.-After consulting with the
leaders of ny party. both here and IN
Washington. -. C.. | have concluded u
Withdraw the notice Of contest served on
You by me on December q, ls9t FOR the
seat In the Fifty-fOurth Congress. FOR
which you hold the certificate. While
believe that there were many irregulari-
ties in the late election which, think.
| would be able 10 prove. | have no
doubt that yOu received a majority OF the
votes cast | have found nothing from my
injuries through tho district 70 connect
you with any of the frauds or irresu.drI-
ties charged In my notice OF contest
Mr. Martin Meredith Lipscomb. who ran
on the independent workingman'S ticket.
writes Colonel Elicit "a follows.
Honorei Sir.-lt gives me great pleasure
t. endorse you as the choice of the people
Of the Third District of virginia. No
honorable man Of your opponents could
say ho was treated otherwise bv YOU
than as an honorable gentleman through
out the canvass. and that your election
was conducted fairly and squarely
throughout the district. II was one Of the
fairost elections ! ever saw, and ] have
had experience with elections for iitly
years. and am - years of age at present.
THE OTHER CANDIDATES.
Judge James NJ Gregory. the Popu'ist
candidate. VINO made quite spirited
fight against Colonel Ellett, says IN hts
letter. II state very freely that I know
cf no irregularities which took place in
the last congressional election and be-
leve that You received the majority OF
the votes cast, and take pleasure In fur
ther adling In so far as the canvass was
concerned between you and myself, the
same Was conducted In a manner noted
for its high sense Of honor. and | Will
add that nothing took place which was
unbecoming. ON your part or indicated Il
spirit OF uufairncss."
Mr. O. NJ. SmithdeaI. who was the Pro-
hlbition candidate. writes: II wish To say
that | had occasion 10 watch political
tendencies. AMI the result Of the election.
and that from these observations | believe
your majority was unquestioned and that
your uniform courtesy was recognized by
oil