Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1899-08-24
INTERESTING CORRESPONDENCE.
Relating to the Senatorial Fight Now in
Porqress in this State.

The Hon. ]. r. WingfieId, who was
formerly State Senator from this coun-
ty and United States Consul to Costa
Rica, and who has for eight years past,
been treasurer of Albemarle county, in
an interview with representative of
the Progress to-day made the follow
ing important statement in regard to
Governor Tyler's position in the Sena-
torial contest six years ago.
Ny attention has lately been called
to an interview with Governor Tyler
reported in the Washington Times,
and reproduced in some of the Vir-
ginia papers. in which he is reported
as saying, ''You recall the defeat OF
Fitzhugh Lee for the Utited States
Senate? That election opened the
eyes of all Virginians | ned not dwell
upon that subject. 1t is familiar to
the plain people of the State. Its re-
suits incensed them. They resented
with indignation the spirit and meth
ods, which decided that election. They
saw that that election did not execute
the wishes of the people of Virginia. =
II am also informed that in the inter
views since reported in some OF the
Richmond papers the Governor has
denied that he supported Mr. Martin
| for the United States Senate in 1888.
and that these denials were Intended
| to meet the allegations of SONS OF Mr..
Martins friends that the Governor
was friendly to him in that contest.
In this connection I desire to make
the following statement: In govern.
or Tyler's canvass against O'Ferrall
for the Governorship in 1893, l was his
friend, and was also the warm and ac-
tive supporter of my countyman, Mr..
Martin in his canvass for the Senate,
which was in progress at the same tlme
AS Mr.. Martins friend l sought to as
certain what Governor Tyler's posi-
rion was in regard to the Senatorship,
and received message from him that
he was not unfriendly to Mr.. Martin.
This led to an interview by appoint
ment between Governor Tyler and my
self in Lynchburg in July, 1898. for the
purpose of comforting with him IN re-
gard to his own canvass as we'll as Mr..
Martins. In that interview l receiy
ed every assurance from him that one
gentleman could ask of another that
he would aid Mr.. Martin in quiet and
effective way. At the convention,
which nominated O'Ferrall, Governor
Ty Ter undertook to make good his
promise to aid Mr. Martin, and repre-
sented to me that after talking with
several of his friends there, they had
engaged to aid Martin. Later, several
letters passed between Governor Tyler
and myself. | find two of these letter.,
which report to me the situations IN
his county, and show that he was in
good faith attempting to carry out his.
pledge to me. When the Legislature
met in 1898, | was perfectly satisfied
that Martin was indebted to Governor
Tyler for at least one vote obtained
directly or Indirectly through his in
fluence. These letters | am prepared
to publish if my statement is denied by
Governor Tyler, or be requests their
publication. While my recollection
upon the subject is perfectly clear,
have been waiting until these letters
could be looked up before saying any
thing.
Nv conclusion is either:
1st. Governor Tyler in giving out
these interviews had forgotten the
facts: and if so, desire to refresh his
memory, OF
2nd. He acted in bad faith with me
in 1898: and this feel satisfied he did
not, because I fully believed then, and
believe now, that he gave material aid
to Martin, or
3rd. He mislepresents the facts for
the purpose of gaining favor with the
former supporters of General Lee
throughout the State.