Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-10-28

do nOt-whcther your letter is 20 be con-
strued In the way I have last stated, or
whether the Sound-Money League OF
Richmond, and you. its counsel. desire
TO secure my professional services. and
my professional services only. about its
legal business. and its legal business
only. l do not consider that l am under
any obligation. either because of the re-
quest with which your letter closes, or
because of professional etiquette, TO re-
frain from giving 10 this CORES ondence
such publicity as 7 may think necessary
and proper. Respectfully
]. p. FITZGERALD.
August 81, 1896
J. p. Fitzgerald. Esq, Attorney at Law.
Farmville, Va:
Dear Sir.-I am in receipt Of your letter
Of the 26th inst, and my establishment at
its tenor IS mingled with some Indignation,
and no little regret. In fact, | am not FAR
from believing that some evil disposed
person has forged your good name 10 this
communication, as 1 can with difficulty
bring myself TO think that its sneers and
insinuations are the products of a mind
known 10 be ordinarily clear, and a heart
that is generally charitably disposed. and
penned by a hand which not very long ago
held mine I'm its friendly clasp.
II. indeed, however. you did write this
letter, can only regret that l was mis-
taken in taking for granted that your
sympathies would be in the direction OF
the very well known purposes Of the
sound money organization OF this State,
and though | am surprised that you have
not learned the nature of its business and
the purpose of the organization from the
public press, yet as you ask for imforma-
ton, I feel constrained in justice TO you
and TO myself to say that your services
were desired and a retainer suggested
not that you might advocate the political
views Of the Sound Money League, but in
order that your active services might be
secured IN the efforts Of the league, not OF
Richmond alone, but Of the entire State,
TO prevent possible frauds and illegalities
Throughout your section in the approach
ing election.
Had it been your good pleasure 10 accept
this professional connection, l should
have been only too glad TO leave the
method of procedure TO your own sound
judgment.
| trust that you are correct in suppOsing
that free ballot and fair count are uni
versal IN your vicinity, and ! sincerely
hope that your impressions on that subject
may not be due to a lack Of actual eX-
perience Of the political methods IN vogue
in some sections of the State.
| very we'll know, and the knowledge
gives me pleasure, that in some portions
of Virginia the elections are as fair as
anywhere in the world, but in other sec
lions there have been frauds and irregu-
larities of so grave a nature and so clear
ly proved as 10 cause. in my judgment
and in the judgment Of those with whom
/ am associated, serious apprehensions OF
a repetition In the approaching contest,
and between Democrats. of such palpable
frauds as have heretofore. between oppos-
ing parties, escaped the punishment which
they merited. Among other instances
which are matters Of public record and
general knowledge. and which may have
escaped your notice, / would call your
attention to the following:
In the contested election case Of Thorp
against Mckinney in the present Con-
gress Mr.. ThOrp. the Republican candi-
date for Congress in the Fourth Congress
sional District, contested the election Of
Mr. McKenney. the Democratic candidate.
The Committee on Elections unanimous
" reported that Thorp had been swindled
ont of his seat and the House OF Repre-
sentatives elected Mr.. Mckinney and
seated Mr. Thorp. Hon. William A Jones
Of Virginia, signed the report favoring the
unseating Of Mckinney and the seating
Of Thorp
Again: In the gubernatorial election Of
1899 the Democratic candidate was ceru-
fed TO have received 1890 votes in Peters
burg 10 4Oi for Mr.. Cooke. and It Is mat
ter OF common knowledge in Petersburg
at least II not throughout the State, that
there were not 1000 votes cast in Peters
burg at that election.
Again: At the same gubernatorial cleo
ton frauds committed at Smithers Pre-
cinct. I'm Henrico county. were so patent
and so gross, that the election officers OF
the precinct were indicted, and after
most determined and persistent, but vain
technical fight on the part OF the able
counsel In their defence, the indicted
iudges and clerks Of election came into
/ court. and rather than suffer exposure OF
their theft Of nearly 400 votes acquiesced
in a verdict Of fine and imprisonment in
the county jail.
Again: II seems very strange that you
should not have heard Of the contested
election case recently tried at Newport
Neax. which was fully reported In many
/ ne, s5aopers in this state and In which
case the following facts were developed;
Mr.. Post, a Democratic citizen Of
! Newport News. was made Mayor OF that
city by the act Of Assembly incorporat-
ing the city more than two years ago. He
| served his term so acceptably TO the
neonle of his community that he was re-
/ nominated for Office last spring by the
Democratic party, and was so popular
with all parties. that the Republicans
| declined TO nominate candidate against
/ him But Mr.. Moss, another Democratic
/ CITIZEN. ran fer the Office of Mayor against
/ poet. and although every citizen of New
mort News supposed that Mr.. Post would
/ he elected as a matter Of course the cleo
/ ton officers gave the certificate of cleo
! tion 10 Mr. Moss, and he was installed
/ as Mayor. Thereupon Mr.. Post instituted
/ suit 10 have Moss elected from Office
| and 10 have himself installed. upon the
Ground that he officers OF election had
| conspired together 20 defraud him, and
after an elaborate trial the Court decided
/ that the charges were sustained. and that
unless Mr.. Moss was able to disprove
them by further testimony. to be adduced
bv September 18th. he must surrender the
| Office TO Mr.. Post.
"Where have been fire and flame. men
fear fresh ruin and desolation." and it
seems TO me that the Sound-Money
League of Virginia is not needlessly ap-
prehensive when II seeks, by compact
and active organization, 10 prevent In
| The approaching election the possible rob
berry OF Democrats by corrupt Demo-
cratic election officers.
| am very glad TO accept, and very
heartily indorse your statement, that the
] commemorative attorneys In your dis
/ trict ARE men of character and ability
! Who with fidelity and zeal will prosecute