The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-06-05
Voice Of the People
Judge Rhcn and .Judn. ,Innn

Editor Of The Times. Dispatch:
Sir.--1n an interview. under date OF
Norfolk. Va. May 2sth. which appeared
in the public press, Judge w. II. Mann.
leader of the anti-saloon forces in Vir-
Sinia, attempts to explain his connec-
ton with the charges against w. F..
Rhea. Judge Mann says: "A newspaper
charged in an editorial that i went
into the Rhea Investigation with a
full knowledge of the facts in the
case. The first ] knew of the case
came. In a statement by Senator Noel.
the Republican leader in the State SEN
ate" And again. he says: Il made 1t
q point TO say in the presence of a
reporter of the paper which had mis-
represented me, that the paper was
in error as to my knowledge of the
case, and l made my position clear to
the reporter. but what told him was
not published"
l take it he refers TO the editorial
which you said. ut was reported in the
newspapers at the time and not denied,
that Judge, Mann made passionate
appeal at that meeting when the
charges against Rhea We're iirst made
on the floor of the Senate) for an i'm
mediate confirmation. saying that he
spoke from personal knowledge and
charges to be malicious and without
Foundation in fact" and concluding the
article you say, IF Judge Mann can
give an explanation in the Joint AS
sembly tonight, Of what appears to
US to be an anomalous and indefens ibie
position in this matter, VIC will be
prompt to acknowledge that we have
peen In error. Otherwise, we will hold
to the opinion that he has placed him
self and the majority reportiin most
unfavorable light"
i presume Judge Mann's explanation
is satlsin,ctory TO the drys.
NOW, thst Judge Mann is anxious tc
wilt
enee to The Rhea case, he will prob
ably tell the people Of Virginia why
tue Anfi-saloon League took no part
to publish the political record of every
candidate for Office, especially mis- at
titude on the liquor question. 1t Is
Well known that Judge Rlea was the
Keepers Association of Bristol and the
manager of Its campaign for the local
option election in the spring OF 1907,
and that his methods were severely
S :ti,,, BY the dry peopc and YET,
teal record. not a line was ever print-
ed about his relation to the whisl<ey
traffic and rot one word Of protest was
ever uttered against his confirmation
league What influence could haze
been brought to bear on our good
Brother West. who fought Judge Rhca
face to face at Bristol, during. the Eve.
| keep silent?
A short time ago asked one Of the
leaders of the temperance movement
in the Southwest why 1t was the Anti
Saloon Lea sne did not participate In
the Rhea Investigation. and he replied:
II DO not know and I do,not under
stand Judge Manns conduct"
There are two sides to tho liquor
question, and have no doubt Judge
Rhea Is honest in his opinion. and
! do not suppose he has any regratG
or any apologies to make for his hard
fight to perpetuate the open saloon in
Bristol, but what I would like to I:now
is, why, in less than one year after
the local option election in Bristol
the dry folks were so merciful to Iheir
old enemy. He had not changed lis
views nor had he joined the league.