The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-12-22

1 ! am sure l!leit LIT. DOWuOln VIII Hut ue.lS
this statement Nor do think any oEn /.
| Accomac who has any knowledge OF The
recent contes; for the Democratic noml
nation In that county for tho House u,
| Delegates will deny that Dr. Bowdo!r
used this argument with the Montague
T.! men to compass my defeat, or that nc
| used his official influence. both as chair
MIN of tha Board Of Fisheries and rs
chairman OF the Democratic County Com
mttee. to the same end. regret TO have
to make this statement. hut circumstances
have arisen that compel me tnFdo SO.
Very sincerely yours.
(Slgned) rs. WILKINS MATTHEW'S
Member Of the House OF Delegates from
the county OF Accomac.'
MIR. sBARKsDALE's STATEMENT. Z
"Mr. President: In yesterdays Times.
Dispatch there appears an lntcrview With
the Governor denying that ne wrote tho
letter In question. Although perfectly sure
in his own mind that he never wrote any
such letter. he finds 1t necessary Ia tale
graph DR., Bowdo.n TO find out what was
HIS recollection on the subject.
II want to say, Mr.. PRESIDENT. that !
made a statement on the floor OF tho
Senate last Friday, while the Jordan hill
relating ITO the oyster question was
under discussion, that the delegate
from Accomac had said to me that IN.
< machinery OF the BoarQ Of Fisheries hud
been used In the Democratic primary IN
his county to accomplish his defeat. This
statement had been publicly and general
ly m.de.
II viii say that the defeat OF the dele
gate from Accomac was source Of sur
prise and regret to the General Assembly
as whole We all knew with what zenl
and fidelity he had served his people, n q
that he was buwark of strength to tls
oyster people In preventing hostile legs-
lation; and will say further that no man
In the General Assembly stands higher as
a man and representative than s, VII
kirs Matthews.
MY only object In making this statement
was to defeat legislation. which thnus''t
would Cypress and impoverlsh to q great
extent the people of T!dewator Virginia.
will say further that the statement ws
made OH the spur OF the moment aud
without hint or Suggestion from Mr.. Mat
thews or anyone else,
MOTIVES QUESTIONED.
"senatnr Keezell In rising to a'nllast'on
OF pc. sonal privilege on last SaturdA ~,
made 1t necessary III my Judgment. In jus
t!ce to others as well as to myself, to
state the whole case. The Governor IN
his lntaryiew by, lns!nuat!on or Innendo,
questions my motives. II by stating It
! believe to be facts and stating my au-
thorty therefor, have erred, am
sorry for it.
1.-THE Governor made his canvass for tnn
nomination on high grounds, on the
highest known grounds, He pleaded for
revival of old-fashion~-@' patriotism
and denounced IL unmcasurad terms The
machine. any man who used It, and any
man who would use his offlc nj position to
reward or punish, Or to further his own
political fortunes Now statements ara
publicly made that the chairman Of the
Board OF Fisheries. who Is the eppoin;en
of the Governor, used his official position
In a factonal fight within the party, ard
that he used 1t at the instance Of his
Excelency. | have repeated these state
ments, and given my authority; and II
the result be tho exposure of noFusal
can't and hypocrisy, ! confess shall he
gratifled. Like his Excelency. ] leave
the matter with the people TO pass judg-
mert. both as tony motives and his per-
formances,"