The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-09-02
0'FERRALL TO HIS CRITICS.
Men Have Abused Him Knowing That
He Coud Not Answer.
TOOK ADVANTAGE OF HIS POSITION.
He Gives His Reasons for Declining 10 sup
bort the State Ticket-Without Popu-
list Support siiverites Cannot
Garry Virginia Again

was made In The Times OF yesterday
In part the article Is as follows:
The administration of Governor OFer-
rail is drawing to a close. The four years
during which he has been the Cniel Exc
cutive OF the State have been nlled with
important and at times exciting episodes
not only from a point OF view purely VIZ
pinian. but also from the standpoint OF
national politics. My term has passed
quickly" said the Governor this after
noon, as he sat smoking cigar upon the
wide porches Of his attractive home on
the hills overlooking the city, but 80
out OF office without regret. return TO
private life with the knowledge that
have done my duty according TO my con-
Science. | have no apologies to make for
the course / have pursued
Nor any regrets
And no regrets" echoed the Governor.
III had the last four years. and espec-
tally the last year. TO live over again,
should not deyiate hairs breadth from
the path | have followed"
A SPLENDID RECORD.
Gov. O'Ferrall. now with hair and mus
tache whitening, has long been prom
inent figure in Virginia politics. For thir-
~ years Of mis- life he has occupied POSI-
tlons OF trust and responsibility to which
he has been elected by the votes of his
people. When but a boy OF fifteen years
lie was Unexpectedly called 10 I'LL the po-
sition OF clerk OF his county, made vacant
by the death of his father, and at seven
teen was elected 10 the office. Since that
time he has filled with signal ability al
most every place of honor which could be
bestowed upon him, including two years
IN the General Assembly, six years serv-
Ice on the bench, twelve years In Con-
gress. and four years as Governor Of Vir-
ginia. chad he aspired for further honors.
which has not been the case, for with his
Inauguration as Governor his ambition
was gratihed, he sacrificed, at least for
the present, everything by his course last
fall when he decided not to support either
the nominees or the platform of the Chi
oago Convention. For this bold step he
brought upon himself an avalanche OF
criticism. Not only Is he still firm in his
position. but as matters now stand he
will not support the nominees OF the re-
cent state Democratic Convention.
Did you reach your decision not TO sup
port Bryan suddenly, or after mature de-
liberation" l asked him.
AS a matter OF fact" replied the Gov
| ernor. looking far away over the wooden
/ Mills 10 the horizon beyond, and eVidehtiy
/ recalling moment of much mehtdi
/ STRIFE 1t was the hardest struggle or my
ute In endeavoring 10 make up my
mind what course 10 pursue, was to'i'
bv connict.pg On otions. ] had peeh d
/ democrat all my life. L had never Voteu
for any otner than a Democrat. / did not
,,o+e for Horace Greeley. All the honors
beaned upon me by the people had come
tbroueh Democratic votes. II was Sc
we're struggle. and could not have been
more painful than parting with dear
/ friend And vet when ] iine'i" reachen
nv determination, did not turn my race
backwards. | do not now. ] remember
said the Governor, in muslng tohe'
.Wben 1 went into the war Tor the Ooh-
,.deracv Nv county was Union. In my
town only two men went INTO the south :
ern army, and l was one OF those men,
felt il to be my duty to stand py my
state and the principles which the Con-
federacy represented though py ~ uoiis
surrendered the office | held, and when
exempted me from military service. ! was
ostracised and lost everything, except my
ufe think" he added, that II was
something OF the same spirit which came
over me last fall"
but YOU do not agree with your critics
that you are no longer Democrat
81 am now and have always been a
. Democrat" said Gov. O'feuall moving
his chair 10 get the benefit OF the way
/ ward breeze "As / said "a moment ago
1 have never, in any election, cast my
/ ballot for any candidate VINO was not q
! Democrat. | declined 10 vote for Horace
] Greeley because he was not Democrat
| and the platform was not Democratic,
II being the same as the platform OF the
Liberal Republican or Greeley Party. In
that election | refrained from voting for
either Presidential candidate, both being
Republicans. with this exception l
/ have supported heartily and labored earn
estIy Tor every candidate nominated for
/ President by the Democratic Party until
/ 1876.
/ WILL NOT SUPPORT THE TICKET.
"rhat was a national election and ON
/ national issues" l suggested. What you
did then may be different from what you
viii DO now. WIN you support the state
ticket recently nominated at Roanoke
GOV. OTerralls face grew firm.
shan speak frankly and without reserve
since you have asked me the question,
no replied. Il have no concealments.
/ answer you emphatically that l will not
vote tor the nominees OF the Roanoke
. convention. unless there Is danger Of Re
publican success. In that case" added
| the Governor. II would have 10 shut my
ewes and not see the platform or swal-
low il and throw It off as soon as posi-
/ bic. I rear Repuhncanlsm and Populism
/ In our State government too much 10
/ withhold my support in case OF Republican
/ or Populstc opposition TO the Roanoke
/ ticket. l 90 not say Democratic ticket
Tor il is not Democratic Personally
like all the nominees. They are good men
/ / am sure that the candidates for Lieu
tenant Governor and Attorney General
, nave mad ample evidence OF my warm
personal regard FOR them"
DO the gold Democrats OF Virginia CO.
operate with you in this proposed ac-
| tion?'
"Tnat question would suggest that
am the leader OF the gold Democrats In
! the state" replied Gov. OFerrall, with q
smile. Il do not claim that position. al
though | am accused OF being the hea,
and front OF the gold sentiment Serious
~, though. those who believe with m,
nave talked the matter over. We cou,,
have. and would have, supported thu
nominees or the State convention IL
platform adhering 10 fundamental Demo
cratic principles and State issues ha,
reen ADOPTED. In that event. il woul,
have made no difference 10 me nor :,
thosawho share my views whether tn,
nominees were silver men. gold men. o.
I greenbackers.
"But you object 10 being asked 20 In
dorse the platform which you could no
support last fally'
| CRITICISEs ROANOKE CONVENTION
I'VE Do object and Will not be coercec
into doing So" was the emphatic re-