The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-08-20
.SAYS.COMB|N[
HAS BI.'lNI'i|SK|'.E:..D||
Mr.. w. w. Bourne Writes Of Po-
litical Circular5ii1
Bristol.
CANDIDATES. NAMES PUNCHED

Mr.. w. w. Bourne, n prominent b'lsl-
ness man of Bristol. Va. has sent o
signed communication To rho Times-Dis
patch stating that circular letters have
appeared In that city calling upon the
voters to cast their ballots on Tuesday
for Martin swanson, 15llyson. Williams
and Joseph .. Eggleston, Jr.
Any knowledge OF or responsibility for
such circular Is denied by Mcssrs. Mar
TN, 13lyson Swanson and Egglcston,
either personally or through their re-
spcctivs friends. Judge Williams could
not be reached last night. but he would
probably havc made d like answer could
Y he have been seen. $ x
Mr.. Bourne's Letter.
Mr.. Bourncs signed letter Is as fol
lows: 5
''1t seems that poll teal pool has been
formed By certain candidates In the conf
ing primary III jsl llia 4.
"Circular letters appeared among me
voters Of this city yesterday. calling upon
them to vote this tickot}in the prIna ry''
vIz.BMartin for senator. Swanson Tor
Governor. lJllyson for LicuGnant-Go'..
ernor, Williams for Acknowledgement, ana
Egglcston for superintendent Of FuDlis
instruction. II ii.
--fa' Gclnb one Oh those WIN ue'iCSc1' - -
fair field and no favors. had hopeu
that political combinations would form no
part OF the primary plan, but hat every
Democrat would have the privilege o.
4 casting his vote freely and indcpend!e nt'S
for the candidate OF his choice VII hout
being lhrottled and embarrassed by poi'1-
lea combinations and bargain-counter
methods. !,
am a friend OF some OF tho candi-
dates whose political interests seem 70
have been pooled with those OF other
candidates 10 whom l am opposed. ana
take this method Of inform,
Ing them of my dsnpproval,
OF their ccurse. and that can
not and will not aid or bet them In any
scheme or combination as against other
Democratic candidates submitting their
claims independently In the same pri-
mary.
''Thc Judges who are to conduct the!
primary here have not as yet been chosen,
and for this reason unknown to those
outside Of the Combinations. the So
called political leaders. who are report.
ed to have control OF the election ma
chinery.' seam to think that the people
are not entitled 10 know who Will cor.
duct the coming primary. Secrecy, y
seems. Is their stock in trade, and silence
Is us breath to their nostrils. "a
Why This Secrecy?
!
Einia the law requires that In elections
the names OF the Judges al every pre-
cnct be published. Then. why should
such secrecy be maintained In a Demo.
cratic primary? Surely none OF the com
hine candidate would sanction the scan
dalous and fraudulent methods that dis.
graced the Richmond primary. y
II It. be true that the names OF the
primary Judges are being withheld ION
the public, wherever those who speak
q the Language OF the tribe control. 1t IL
4 clear that such concert OF action Is al
the behcst or in the interest OF some
particular candidate or combine, and
the great mass Of voters Will have Ilttlc
or no say in the primary.
The Martin Swanson circular. above
mentioned is not signed by any one. and
does not state whether the combination
Is confined In It's operations TO the Nintll
\, Congressional. District, or whether 1t Is
n State organization. but whatever It's
scope, there can be no doubt as to ITS
purpose, and the friends Of every other
Democratic candidate, as we'll as every
one who believes In honesty and fair
dealing in politics. should register their
disapproyal at the ballot box on Tues
day next
So far. as am concerned ! want every
vote counted as 1t Is cast and so far
rs am able to do 80 propose TO see
that this Is done at my precinct next
Tuesday.
heartily endorse the sent mcnt Of Mr..
a s. Thomas, the senator from Lynch
burg, when he says III they steal the
nomination or adopt corrupt practices
In tho forthcoming primary, shall feel
free TO Join hands with the decent people
OF Virginia to break the hold OF the
polltical knaves on this Commonwealth.
' Respectfully,
5..gI. : ar 't,tr, rnY1D
Bristol va. Aug. IS, 1906, "
All Make Denials.
All the candidates whose names are
involved, and who could be reached, de-
MED any knowledge OF the circular. either
personally or through their friends.
Here is what they say;
Without Martins knowledge.
..1f such a circular us you mention Is
being distributed. It is done without the
knowledge or consent of Senator Martin.
what YOU tell me Is the first intimation
ue have OF such a. thing. The senator is
making his own fight: has made no sort
OF combination, and no one is or mas
been authorized to connect his name With
any other candIdate"-Les1i II, Martin,
Swanson Repudiates 1t,
."rhe news OF the circular Is, indeed,
news hardly think 1t Is necessary for
4 me to say that have never before heara
of the circular. know nothing except what
you tell me OF It. and have not oeen
cnrared in distributing the circular II
rs simply another means Of making an
anonymous attack with the hope OF IN
turing me."-Claude a, Swanson.
Ellyson Hadn't Heard i.
ar am. NJ course, very glad to have the
vote OF every Democrat In the State, II
reply, viii say that I did not send out the
circular; that have no, knowledge as TO
who did it. and that ! have never heard
OF the circular until you mentioned 1nhI
such a circular was out - lay4o'
Ellyson.
Eggleston's Friends Talk.
Mr. Joseph D. Eggleston, Jrr was nov
IN the ctv. hut his friends here declare
the thing is ridiculous. and that MI
Eggleston has had no understanding VAN
any candidate for any office.