The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-11-14
SUNDAY. NOVEMBER II. 1897,


Olt NDN I'D ~ y ~ = WV - 'sff
We have nothln4 TO say. OF course. upon
the statement ant the Richmond Dis
patch sent WORD to- Mr.. f. w. Mahood
by Mr.. Minetrcc Foikes that II he pushed
his resolutions against Mr.. Massey IT
would break up The Democratic party OF
Virginia. Mr.. Chcstorman took the stand
as witness and testified that he, Mr.
Ellyson and Mr. Cowardin are the only
officers OF the Dispatch Company au-
thorized to speak for it and that neither
one OF them ever sent any such message
10 Mr. Mahood. That must be accepted
as conclusive upon that point.
Mr.. Folkes also testified that 'he had
never told Mr. Mahood what Mr. Mahood
said I'm his letter as TO this matter"
Nevertheless. IT IS impossible 10 read
Mr.. Mahood's letter without seeing that
he is perfectly frank and sincere in writ
ing Il. aud that whatever the actual facts
were. the impression was created in his
mind that the Dispatch was of opinion
that II would be most injurious to the
Democratic party Of Virginia II he should
prove that Mr.. Massey was guilty of a
confederacy with the American Book
Company. and that as a good citizen he
ought. therefor To- drop his charges
This is a matter OF so much importance
that we repubnsh Mr.. Mahoods letter
as follows:
TimmonsviIe. S. c.. Sept. II. 1897
nQar
outcome OF my resolutions against Mas
sey. This action was caused 10y political
expediency. The Richmond Dispatch sent
rue word through Minetree Folkes that II
7 pushed this matter it would break mp
the Democratic party IN Virginia.
Mr.. Massey simply denied every thing
and as I saw that the intention OF the
camp was 10 defeat the resolutions ]
never used what proof had. After they
had ny their vote, said that my charges
were unfoundcd. 7 apoiogizcd 10 him.
simply 20 show those who had advocated
them once how basoly they betrayed me.
have taken my last action. The Demo
cratic party can stick 10 Massey If II
chooses but n the next Legislature re-
elects him ] VIII be compelled 10 think
that Virginia has lost her old-time dcvo-
ton 10 principle and has sold herself for a
mess Of pottage. I thank you for your
proffer Of evidence. but as far as I am
concerned 7 will take no more action.
Yours truly. r. w. MANHOOD.
That letter was written while Mr.. Ma
hood was snarting under the idea that
ne had been unjustly made 10 figure be-
fore the public as the originator OF a
false claim II was written long before
he could have had any idea that the
present investigation would be set on
foot. and It bears upon its face every
possible indicia OF honesty and genu-
ine Indignation. We are not now dealing
with what the actual facts Of the case
are All that now concerns us is to show
that Mr. Mahood was made 20 believe
that a good citizen could not press the
prosecution against Mr. Massey. however
guilty he might be. because TO convict
him would he to iniure the Democratic
party Of Virginia That is as clear as
the MONDAY sun.
And We are TO add TO this letter the
following from the testimony Of Mr.
Folkes:
Mr. Lamb. Has any ono approached you
with reference to the Massey resolution?
Mr.. Folkes. Wen. I'm ten YOU. You re-
member the Sons ~ Veterans have for the
last year been getting themselves into a
good deal OF newspaper notoriety Be-
fore the Massey resolutions were intro
duced Mr.. Mahood came 20 me and said
II am going TO put 10 on John Massey"
and ne showed me his resolutions 1 read
them and said. "An right: let them 60"
They were introduced and published In a
newspaper. A very prominent Democrat
approached me I'm confidential way and
said. "Folkes you are jumping on Mas
sew too hard. that isn't right II is
brinring your camp into disrepute. Those
resolutions ought 10 be stopped They
viii ruin tho Democratic party IN Nir-
rfnia. Look into the matter carefully
and let n drop. Why, YOU are anathema-
tiz'ng the man and sending him 10 perdi-
ton"
There Il f. again. A prominent Demo-
crat tells Mr. Folkes that he must not
uncover a villain (supposing Mr. Massey
20 be one (which we DO not even suggssO.
because 70 DO so would hurt the Demo
cratic party Of Virginia, and the Demo-
cratic party OF VirHnia-that is. the
Democratic maohine-must retain the Of
SEES u ths stste-whether It's retention