Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1899-08-24
Governor TyIer's Denial,

East Radford Va, Aug. 1l.-Goyer-
nor J. Hoge Tyler was shown a copy
of the Charlottesville Progress with
the statement in it of J. R. Wingfield
regarding an interview between the
two that took place in Lynchburg IN
July, 1898. In reply to Mr.. Wingfield' s
statement the governor says: Il have
not felt at liberty to tell the facts re-
garding that interview and others,
had with me by Mr.. Martin friends
at that time, because l have regarded
them as private talks, which one gen
tleman could not repeat without doing
violence to the confidence of another,
but Mr.. Wingfield's statement has
sbsolved me from any such feeling IN
this case, and / take pleasure IN laying
before the people of Virginia just
what occurred at that time. l was
then a candidate for governor. My
friend, DR.. E. M. Magruder, OF Albe
marie county, who was working in my
behalf in that county, telegraphed me
TO meet him and Mr.. Wingfield in
Lynchburg went for the purpose
of conferrlng with these gentlemen in
regard to my own canvass, ana Mr.
Martins canvass had not been men
toned or suggested in any way as a
reason for the interview.
s'In the course of that conversation
| it developed that Mr.. Wingfield, who
had been strong friend OF mine, ana
who had come to Lynchburg for the
purpose of consulting with me and
furthering the success of my canvass,
was more interested in Mr.. Martin 9
election to the Senate than in my cleo
ton to the governorship, and l soon
discovered the fact that he was there
| for Martin purposes chiefly, and to my
modification at the time, found that
he thought that would trade of my
Influence and make combinations
which were then, and have always
been, repulsive to me.
when Mr.. Wingfield says, In thai
Interview, I received every assurance
lfrom him that one gentleman conl(
ask of another, that he would aid MIR
Martin in a quiet and effective way,
he makes statement founded u2oI
no fact whatever. in my actions befor
lor after that interview, nor upon any
Thing that l said at the time.
He received no such assurances iron
Ime. but on the contrary told him il
plain langu guage that l did not own an.
man in this Commonwealth, nor cOul'
Ii enter into any trade or combination
tof the kind suggested. He then aske
lme if l would use my influence TO
Mr.. Martin in return for certain dele
gates which he could control. This
lfirmly declined to agree to. He the
kept sending and getting telegrami
making offers of assistance to me dt
Ipendent upon my support OF MI. MAJ
tin, and be kept this up until, thlni
: it was we'll nigh o'clock in the morl
ing, and finally wound up the lnte
view by asking me to please, if woul
not agree to any of his other propos
tions, as personal favor to him, VII
was my supporter IN my race, try
| find out how certain gentlemen won
vote, among them my kinsman, u
Ouesenberry, of Caroline. All of th
, conversation took place fOrtur ately.
the presence of witness, DIR. r.
: Magruder, who was present and toe
- mart in the interview throughout.
o AZ told him that would write to,
|. lsee. the gentlemen mentioned, as
,.l favor to him, and tell him as near as
= could lust what the facts were, and
D that would be of any benefit to him
!, was welcome to 1t. He then said tn
:, DR.. Ouesenberry could not be elect
g in Caroline county without help.
4 afterwards wrote him friendly lettt
~ viewing him always as supporter
nv fight, and told him just what l b
learned. and which be had so earnest
asked me to find out. He is at liber
Ito publish these letters. 10 make su