The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-27
Mr.. @. H. RUSSELL
TO Mr.. WE|SIGER.
The Ex-Postmaster Replies to the
Letter of His Republican Rival.
THE SHAFER BUILDING MEETING,
This is Recalled and il is Charged
That the Machine Men Broke into
Lawyers Office and Held
Their Convention,

Mr.. Otis II. Russell has sent the fol-
lowing reply to the letter Of Mr.. b. b.
Wslsiger. his Republican rival FOR Con-
gress:
Richmond. Va. Sept. "a, 1895
b. b. Weisiger, Esq, Postmaster Man
chester. Va:
Dear sir-Your favor Of the 22d instant
in reply to my letter OF the 10Th instant
received. l wrote you in the interest OF
our party in tho district. hoping TO avoid
= division in the Republican vote, ana
wishing TO make it possible TO elect
friend Of President Mckinley instead or
contributing 10 the election of one or ms
enemies. 1 went so far as TO oHer 10
support you Tor the sake OF uniting our
party provided you would only relieve
yourself Of the objection that ma
iority OF the decent. seli-respecting he-
publicans have TO supporting Federal OIL
ncc-hOlders. who are forced upon inc
people through bribery, corruption ana
promises of position
believe you are averse TO being a can
didate. II so, why divide your party al
the dictatiOn of few Ofiice-ho.dersf 1
could not have been fairer 10 calling your
attention 10 the impOssibihty Of your see
curing the full Republican vote while
YOU remained under cover - Federal
postmaster.
Your answer Of a whole column. which
the Dispatch and Times so kindly gave
you. does not reveal one word OF anxiety
about the success Of our party or me
Republican vote in this district; on the
contrary, from beginning 10 end Is OF
personal character intended 10 be very
funny" but devoid Of q single ihought to-
ward uniting our party
Your Richmond friend. IN posting YOU
failed 10 tell you that on this side OF the
river most Of your personal criticisms are
cold chostnuts.' such IS Keeping Demo
Gratis I'm Office" "F5lssel good enough
Democrat" wallace Rowe rot removed.
Richmond mob. "Ohi consistency, thou
art a jewel" &c. &c.
WON'T INDULGE IN PERSONALITIES
hope ! am above rcsorting 10 sucn
personal twattle while discussing a plan
of uniting our party. I could deal in
some personal reflections upon your past
life while you were a Democrat. but my
warm personal regard for YOU fOrbids
my doing so nor could I be prompted
by an enemy OF yours 10 10 you am IN
justice.
You however. are led 10 make some
statements not true, YOU state that
headed the disOreanizers and rushed
into the convention at Hanover Court
house. i'm riotous manner. 10 break ~
up. etc. You know fun well that I had
been at your bedside sympathizing with
you over your accident for about TWO
hours. when the committee waited upon
nae in your presence 90 inform me OF my
nomination by reclamation. did not
know then. how IL had been brought
about. but bidding you farewell. I enter
cd the convention hall, and when / raised
my hand and spoke. absolute silence pre-
vailed. not a sound was heard except my
voice Your other hearsay statements
are equally faulty
BROKE INTO AN OFFICE.
The conduct of thirteen persons mostly
Federal officers. headed by a promlnen.
one. who received only one vote in his
precinct, as a delegate 10 our city conven-
ton, in forcing an entrance into a law
yers office in the Shafer Building at 10
o'clock at night by pushing one of their
number through the transOm over the
door so that he could spring the lock
ON the inside. 90 admit the other twelve
CAS- they had u0 key seems 90 meet your
approval and the farce of their naming
twenty-six delegates. including them
selves. TO the Congressional Convention
seems also TO be approved 10y you. The
legal convention called for that purpose
was then i'm session in the han where
IL was regularly advertised 10 be held.
with nifty delegates present and where.
without and disturbance. thcy transacted
the work they were authorized 10 do and
then adjourned.
/ am therefore led 10 conclude from
your letter. that you are Indifferent as
TO the final result You seem 10 prefer
division 10 unity in our ranks and the
election in this district OF Democrat.
instead of "a Republican. L therefore
have no alternative but 10 go right
ahead. and make my own canvass FOR tho
fun Republican vote. and we will soon
see who has the approval Of our people.
Very Respectfully,
OTIs IL RI-SSr.IL.