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

Attorney OF your county, but py me- me-
assistants gentlemen OF rtahnihs
ability. specially retained Tor 'he p""p
20 assisting the CommohNea'.",
iornev who himself | confdenty rs
sert has not a superior as man anu
LAWYER in such an oincia
nos,tion In the State. I am very sure
il has never occurred. either 10 the pun
uc or these gentlemen. TO consider the
employment OF the assistants relerleu
70 as a reflection upon the common
wealth's Attorney.
Perhaps the most astounding, ana 10
me inexplcable part OF your letter -
your assertion that you consider yourseiI
nnaer no Obligation. either because or
nv request or because OF professional
etiquette. to refrain from giving TINS cor
respondence such publicity as you thlnh
proper The wonder 10 me Is that. IN
view OF my request. you could consider
any publicity. under the circumstances,
as proper; but as you have threatened
your purpose 10 disregard this request IL
YOU should see ft. / reserve the right
TO make such public use OF this cores
pondence as may seem best 10 me.
In bringing to a close this. the most pain
ful experience OF my short career. l cannot
refrain from expressing my deep regret
at the unkindness and injustice you have
done me.
have the honor to remain, your ODE
dent servant 4. b. GUIGON.
Farmvile. Va, September Z, 1896
Mr.. A. y. Guigon, Attorney at Law
Richmond, Va;
Dear Sir-Your letter OF August 3lst
was duly received. | was during the last
week. as you know. engaged in the Cir
Of I CnfIlN
then find time to reply. I learn from
this letter that the expression lin this
fight" used I'm your first letter was not
intended 10 refer 70 the contest now
going on between the two political par
ties Of the state; that my services were
not desired and a retainer was not sug-
gested, that / might advocate the poliu-
cal views Of the Sound Money League OF
Richmond; that you did desire my ac-
tive professional cooperation. and did
suggest a retainer. IN order that my ac-
tive services might be secured in the ell
forts Of the, league to prevent possible
frauds and illegalities throughout my
section I'm the approaching election. To
remove the regret you now feel at having
been mistaken at the time OF writing
your first letter. in taking for granted
that my sympathes would be in the d.
rectiOn OF this very well-knOwn purpose
Of the Sound-Mouey League Of this
State" as now explained. l will state my
views on the subject OF fraud In cleo
tions: / desire that all voters at every
election shall be permitted 10 cast their
ballots as they wish. uninfuenced by fear,
or reward. or the hope OF reward,
and that when the ballots have been so
cast they shall be counted as those who
cast them intended they should be. !
Il s.NN tfHT-
ton II In my power to do so, to- prevent
all attempts to defeat the Will of the
voters as expressed by their ballots. This
obligation rests upon me as a man AMI
a citizen, regardless OF my profession or
occupation In life. / cannot allow with
out protest and denial one who informs
me that he and his associates are actu-
ated by the same desire TO suggest
that my desire viii be more intense, my
moral obligation will be more keenly felt
and my activity In preventing such at
tempts will be quickened, If l will accept
pecuniary compensation, and come under
obligation TO an organization Of which he
is a member, by reason Of being retained
az its counsel. AS a lawyer interest
ed in the growth and development
OF our system Of Jurisprudence,
shall scan the public prints 10 learn
If you succeed in discovering the attempts
will be made at the approaching election
TO defeat the will of the voters, by what
legal process, and before what court you,
as a lawyer. will proceed to prevent this
consummation.
If. i'm my section, such attempts are
successful and indictments shall be
found after the election against the
offenders. then my professional services
can be retained, and the amount OF my
fee can be fixed by either the prosecutor
or the accused 10 test the truth OF the
allegations contained in the indictments,
and / will then be in a position similar to
that which you, or the distinguished
gentlemen occupied in the case 10 which
ysu nave referred as recently pending IN
this county.
As l have stated that my views con-
corning frauds in election are similar 10
those which you state are entertained by
the Sound Money League OF Richmond
and by you, its counsel, your injunction
Of secrecy is removed, even If l ever re-
garded IT, and you are at liberty to use
this entire correspondence IN such public
manner as will best subserve the ends Of
truth and right which take for granted
are those at which you aim, and l VIII
do the same.
Respectfully yours,