Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-09-09
A Card From Mr.. Dawson.

A Card From MIR. Dawson.
To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
a friend OF mine in Richmond has to-
day written me that the assertion Is
being made on the streets OF Richmond
that In the position which | took in the
meeting OF the District Committee, held
last Thursday. / violated promises which
/ had previously given TO the friends OF
Colonel Tazewell Elicit. cannot in
justice TO myself allow such a statement
to 20 unchallenged
Before / left Richmond I was charged,
during the excitement attending the con-
vention, with having acted in bad faith.
while l at all times shrink from street
brawls, | could not refrain from at once
denouncing the charge as false. and the
author OF II to his face as a liar. And
l challenged him TO produce proof.
deeply regretted the occurrence, but I
pursued the only course open to a man
OF honor
/ cannot hope to meet and so brand all
such slanderers I'm person; l. therefore.
take occasion TO thus publicly denOunce
them and TO state what are the real
facts I'm the case
Inv it'DiAF bl the meeting VI Aut NbHl-
mittee referred to will show that only
three questions We're considered by that
body. The first was on the temporary
organization, the second on the making
up OF the temporary roll. and the third on
the merits Of the King William contest
Ing delegation.
Regarding the first proposition. my po-
sition was at all times unequivocal. and
] have no excuse to make for IT. nor do
! regard II as a matter OF any moment.
/ distinctly stated, both 10 the leaders
OF Colonel Elicit and TO those Of Captain
Lamb. that ! had promised TO vote for
Mr. -. +. Owens. and that / would not
under any consideration reconsider that
promise; therefore, no one can justly
charge me with any breach Of good faith
in this connection. II may not be i'm
proper 70 state here that / was told by
two OF Colonel Elletts leaders. whose
names ] will give II necessary that they
thought a majority OF the District Com
mittee was pledged 10 Mr.. H. NJ. Smith.
Jr.. and that. II there should be a full
meeting OF the committee he would be
elected without my vote. Inasmuch as
Mr.. owens was chosen by n vote OF four
10 one, / presume these gentlemen were
mistaken. They also stated that they
did not regard the position OF temporary
entertain the same opinion
Regarding the second and third ques-
tions considered by the committee. I
stated to the friends Of both candidates.
who interviewed me on the subject prior
10 the meeting OF the committee land
they were numerous and importunate)
that I would not undertake 10 express
an opinion until I had been put I'm pos
session OF all the facts: but, as soon as
the evidence was submitted 10 the COM
mittee I would render in accordance
with that evidence an absolutely impair
tial verdict ! stated. however. that /
was OF the opinion that the Committee
on Credentials was the proper body TO
pass on all contests between delegates
When the question OF making up the
temporary roll was being considered. the
committee by a unanimous voice voted
TO seat all delegates who had proper Gre
dentials. except those from King Will
liam, the consideration OF whose case
was temporarily deferred until the COM
mittee could have an opportunity TO hear
the gentlemen who had been invited TO
appear before II. a motion was after
wards made TO reconsider this vote, but
It was passed by without n second.
After all the evidence had been heard
regarding the King William case the
committee by a vote Of 10 /. decided
that II was not competent 10 pass upon
the merits Of IL. and referred the whole
matter to the Committee on Credentials
in the mean time allowing each con-
testing delegation a half a vote each. so
that neither side would be prejudiced.
Those who voted for this motion were
myself and two other members Of the
committee one OF whom stated that he
had voted for Colonel Elicit. which shows
that I'm reaching the decision 10 refer
the matter to the Committee on Gre
dentials we had no desire 70 prejudice
his interests, but only 10 take position
as bipartisan as we could. and as mem
bers of the committee. in our opinion,
ought 10 have taken, regardless Of per-
sonal preference.
These are. briefly. the facts I'm the case
7 had no feeling whatever In the matter
/ had the highest personal regard for
both gentlemen who were contesting for
the nomination. and supposed that had
the honor 20 number them among my
friends. Being a member Of the City
Committee, ] took no part in the city
fight. and IL / have estranged any Of my
friends by acting as I conscientiously
believed TO be right while occupying a
quasi-judicial position. / shall bid fare
well 10 them with as little regret as
possible. and shall console myself TO
their loss with the knowledge that I
have lost them in the discharge Of a
difficult duty with impartiality
II the assertion Is made on information
derived from others, that I. in casting
any Of the votes above referred 10. acted
I'm partisan manner with the intention
OF furthering the interest OF either can
didate. or that / violated any promise
previously given, the assertion has been
made upon a misapprehension OF the fact.
and I trust that the above explanation
will be satisfactory 10 those who made
It. II. however. II has been made by
those who professed TO make the state
ment on their own knowledge. / I'M
hesitatingly and unequivocally denounce
the author or authors OF any such state
ments as wilfully circulating malicious,
slanderous. and contemplate falsehoods.
l desire 10 state. further. that though
! am some distance in the country. and
expect 10 remain here for some weeks.
shall return TO Richmond Friday and
can be on that day found al the law
offices OF Montague & Dawson. I'm the
Chamber Of Commerce. between the hours
OF 10 \. NJ. and 4:30 p. NJ, to personally
answer for this card 20 the full satisfac-
ton OF any gentleman who may feel
aggrieved by its tenor. Yous truly.
MARION l.. DAWSON.
Scottsyllle, Va.
Extt