Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-18

more than $50 for my vote. Now gentle
men. Mr.. John Lamb sent for me 70
come 10 his Office. I went 10 his ONCE,
and what was the result7 He asked me
n would vote for man named Hi,
who "a a relative Of his, 10 be Commits
sioner Of Railroads, and refused--re-
fused because, however base some may
have been, thank God ! VIII never De
found among that number who vote Tor
a man who is tool OF railroad cor
porations In this State.
"Down on me; down on Minetree, be-
cause Minetree supported Tazewell Ell
lett In the last campaign. Bitter per-
sonal enemy, and yet such a man as
that has dared to say that he has the
right to sit upon a committee ana pass
upon the character OF a man. Sirss 1
know nothing of law. but In courts or
law and justice twelve unbiased. un-
prejudiced men pass upon the charac-
ter Of man.
SCORES THE CHAIRMAN, TOO.
"Who is the other man upon this COM
mittee? A Mr.. Lecky. Mr.. Lecky. say,
a man who Is also his enemy, and who
IS fishing for the position he now holds
in r. f.. Lee Camp. Sons OF Confederate
Veterans. Mr.. Lecky is also opposed 10
him because Mr.. Lecky Is Republican,
and in the last campaign, with all MS
boasted high notions OF southern honor,
he was found voting for man who rode
through the Shenandoah Valley at the
midnight hour, and who routed out de-
fenceless women and children, and who
belonged with rank Of men whose only
notion of warfare was arson, murder,
and rape.
Now, gentlemen, this is the character
of two who form the majority. l do
not care what you may do, nor what
they will say but as for me, having the
satisfaction of clear conscience, l have
no cause to regret what has happened.
1t is only the scheme Of a dirty politi-
cian."
At this point in Mr.. Folkes's harangue
Mr.. Julian Bryant arose and said that
he did not think the audience ought 10
stultify themselves longer In remaining
to hear the gentlemen of the committee
slandered. Mr.. Bryant suited the action
to the word and walked out or the nall,
amid great applause.
SHOT AT MR.. BRYANT.
Mr.. Folkes continued, 81 thought that
the gentleman (referring TO Mr.. BryanD
professed to be a friend OF mine, but
see he is among that number who have
turned to stab me in the back. / want
go on and you may do what you please.
but 1 am not ashamed Of the name l
bear. and the two boys before you, In
the hands of committee who have been
given the right to pass upon them, do
not fear for them to adjudge them. /
say that this enemy is, to great ex-
N tent. against me. / know there are some
who will misconstrue my motive and
who will deny, but l ask you all to be-
leve me when I say that ! come simply
through the love Of my parents to de-
fend, as best I can, the name l bear"
COLLOQUY WITH MIR. cox.
Grand-C Commander Cox arose at this
point, and questioned Mr.. Folkes, as fol-
lows:
"Mr. Folkes, you made certain charges
as to that committee. Do you make
those charges as to the appointment of
that committee?'
Mr.. Folkes would say to the gentle
man at my right that have a high opin-
ion Of him, and do not hold him respon-
sible for it. l believe II he had known
then what he knows now he would not
have appointed them.
Mr.. Cox: / appointed that committee
with a view Of giving your brother fair
trial
Mr.. Folkes: / admit It. l have nothing
in the world, Mr. Cox. to say against
your action at ALL / simply think you
have made one of those unfortunate mis-
takes, and one you, perhaps, would not
have dreamed OF doing. / know you
would not have done so. / have nothing
to say against you, but have come SIM
ply to defend in my weak and humble
way as best 1 can the reputation Of my
family.
Mr.. Cox: You make those charges
against certain members OF that COM
mittee
Mr.. Folkes: Yes, sir.
Mr.. Cox: Well, sir, you substantiate your
charges that the members OF this COM
mittee are enemies of your brother.
Mr. Folkes: At the proper time I will.
I have nothing further to say to the gen.
tlemen present.
DEFENCE OF MR.. LECKY.
Mr.. Folkes stepped from the platform
when he concluded. ard the audience
arose and left the hall in body. AS
he was going out Major Randolph hand
ed the Dispatch man the following card
in defence OF Mr.. Lecky:
1 desire to state that / was approached
by Sons of Veterans to know IL Mr..
Lecky who is in the employ of the COM
pany of which l am president. would
accept the position as commander of
their camp. / replied that his business
would not allow him TO give 1t attention,
and having been a member of the Inves-
tigating Committee made II improper for
him to accept the office If rendered.
afterwards told MIR. Lecky Of my CONVEX
sation, and IL met with his full approval.
as he did not desire the position.