The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-23
He Sends Plain and Racy Letter to
Mr.. Russell.
A COUPLE MARRIED WHILE AWAY
Mr.. Osterbind Wcds Miss Ncai-ihc
Case of George 4. Bowman Being
Tried-City Central Committee
Mects-Ofhcr News Notes.

Republican party lvI 'vihi''' ."
Third District has made the following
reply "a the letter recently sent MIN 10y
Mr.. Otis II. Russell:
Manchester. Va. sept p, 1888.
Colonel Otis n. Russell, Richmond va
Nv Dear Sir-Yours OF the 10Th instant
mailed TO me and simultaneously pun
llshod in the Democratic press came
duly 10 hand. The proposition contained
Ia your letter appeared To me so strange
that al FIRST ! was disposed 20 give IL no
serious consideration but I have since
reflected that when one gentleman
writes another a letter he is entitled 10
the common courtesy OF a reply espe-
oially as the claim that you are the he-
publican nominee for Congress IS so un-
founded and the rocklc7aness ~ your
statements and the disingenuousncss OF
your position and assumptions are so
manifest that cannot refrain from pay
ing some attention 10 your communica-
ton.
You I'm substance say ttat you were
nominated unanimously by the fepup-
lean convention and that subsequently
and after most OF the delegates had leit,
a few remaining Ga the room named me
as their candidate Now. Colonel, 10 pe
entirely frank and not wishing 90 undnly
must know this statement 90 Doe untrue
and that the truth is that you are in
active and open cooperation with the
remnant from the usual "Richmcnd mob
that sought 10 break mp the Richmond
CITY Convention on the night before,
and finding that the stalwart Republicans
Of the district outside Of the city OF
Richmond. had repudiated as hereto
fore. this Get Of laWloss disorganizers
you as their new fuclcman and head
lieht. Won. and they rushed into the con-
vention in riotous manner. and, falling
10 break II up pretended that you had
been nominated and then retired
TRIED TO OVERTURN 1T.
You and yours were not the convention
or the delegates 80 st. but, on the con-
trary were seeking 10 ovcrturn it; and
you well know that after this diseracetul
conduct the convention composed or
ffty-nye delegates. duly accredited by
the Committee ON Credentials. and form
ing large majority of the delegates
from the district proceeded with the Or
DERBY conduct Of its business and norni-
mated me by reclamation as IT'S candidate
for Congress. and regularly elected the
members of the state Committee. ana
the Congressional district chairman ana
~ is not out of place that ] should can
your attention to the fact that your per
formanCos at Hanover Courthf use and
the regularity of the convention that
nominated me. have. within the last rev
days. been thoroughly investigated by the
Republican State Committee ana my
claim as the candidate indicated and
yours repudiated.
THE QUESTION OF A JOB.
But you say that you want me to re-
sign the small Office OF postmaster or
Manchester which ] now hold. and allow
someone else 10 be appointed and thereby
relieve myself Of the charge OF being
Federal offioe-holder and mere dunn
my" candidate. and that few persons VIII
vote for me while ] hold "a Federal Of
flee. and that YOU even. will retire and
canvass for me il l resign my Office
Now, can Il be possible. Colonel that
having failed 10 secure the Richmond
postonce and IL being the first time in
thirty years. until Cleveland's last term
that you have been out of n good Fede-
RAJ Job dor you were a good enough
Democrat 20 hold over during Mr.. CleNe-
lands first term you now want the Man
chester office? 10 certainly looks that
way. for it cannot be possible that you
disapprOve OF holding q Federal office
and / submit TO you. as a matter OF
fairness. ~ YOU do not think that you
ought TO support me. and allow me TO
retain this little place. as 10 is the first
place that I have had from the party
after nearly fifteen years work. and ]
have only been I'm about eleven months
whereas others have sowed and you
have reaped and your harvest has been
not smaN offices but large ones. for over
30 Il -
thou art a jewel" but one you were
never adapted 10 wear.
WHO WAS THE DUMMY?
II am entitled TO support without the
Office as you sag. surely YOU can stand
me with IT,. But you say ] viii be
dummy" candidate holding the office
40. Now this. indeed Is amusing? II
surely has not occurred TO YOU whose
dummy you are. The disorgani2ers
of whom you are now the dummy
came into being as a result of quarrel
over Federal offices when YOU were post
master and mainly because you would
keep the most offensive Democrats in.
and not do justice TO the colored people
an your appointments. This was the
charge that your new friends made. ana
II was certainly true 50 far as retaining
Democrats IS concerned and without
excuse. for the civil service had not
then been extended and stlll. you stood
by Wallace Rowe and others 90 the last
Two years AGO YOU were the leading OBJ
iect OF the wrath OF the mob. as they
feared you would again be postmaster
Have you forgotten how. when you were
loyal to your party. they enacted Just
such scenes as you have Just repeater
Have YOU forgotten that Richmond city
and Hanover Courthouse were the places
whore you aided them in defending order
and discipline with the party against the
same men and methods you have just
taken 10 your bosom and adopted as your
own?
CALLED UPON FOR SUPPORT.
You certainly ought TO be more modest,
Colonel. since YOU have abandoned your
friends and those who have stood by
YOU so long and gone In as a disorganizer
and | appeal TO your sense OF justice 20
support the party that has so long sup
ported you. one time I'm your life with
out demanding as the price, good Fat
Office.
My dear Colonel. when YOU wrote your
letter 20 me. YOU certainly must have
expected a reply, and I have endeavored
90 accommodate you. but ] give YOU TO
understand that + do not intend TO be
drawn into any extended controversy.
Yours very respectfully
BENJAMIN y. WEIsIGBR."
THE TIE THAT BINDS.
Mr. Andrew j. Osterbind and Miss Lucy
Neal left this city Wednesday at noon on
the Southern train for the young ladys
old home IN Halifax county. where they