The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-18
Praises Scott County Ballet.

Editor of The TimeS-Dispatch:
Sir,-When a citizen of this Com
monwealth is accused by his political
and personal enemies of being unfit
for position to which he has been
appointed by the Chief Executive of
the State, as has been done in the case
of Judge Rhea, it would seem more
than fair for the Legislature to grant
investigation Of charges emanatins
from such a source. 1t would also
seem more than fair to give full
weight and consideration to the par
tisan and biased testimony, voluntarily
offered in support OF such charges, at
a cost of some $4,000 to the, State.
Now, when all of these things have
been done and Legislative committee
OF honorable men render unanimous
verdict OF not guilty, and when all
but one of the eleven, members Of
the committee recommend confirmation
of the appointment, and when the
Legislature itself, after reading the
testimony, overwhelmingly declares the
charges to be slanderous, after all this
consideration has been given ana a
verdict rendered under oath, is it rea-
sonable for fair-minded newspapers
and people who desire the investiga-
ton to reveal the truth to accuse
-fourths of the Legislature of
sitting it's conscience and selling out
its constituency for party loyalty? VIII!
any one be influenced to indorse such
a conclusion? Why did not these news
papers and people present to the COM
the evidence that would justify the
action they clamored for? Any fair
minded person must conclude that they
did not want decision based OH facts
and that their motives for defeating
the aspirations OF Judge Rhea Were
JUDGE and the hope OF political adj
vantage to them and their friends re-
sulting from his defeat
The people realize the Importance of
filling all positions with honorable and
capable men, but they will not mis-
take the cry of fraud and the bringing
of charges for sincere motives and for
evidence itself
The people are understanding the
purposes so well planned by this at
tack upon the Governor and his APP
pontee.
If charges unsustained by proof can
disqualify a citizen for holding an Of
flee of responsibility, then the time will
soon come when none who values his
reputation will put himself in position
to be thus slandered.
The liberty that some newspapers
and some people take of scattering in
situations, and indorslng charges sim,
ply for political advantage has reached
alarming proportions in the political
arena of our once united white peo-
| pie.
The people demand some proof Of
f; unfitness, before they Will disgrace &
! citizen and declare him disqualified fol
) Office because his usefulness has beer
! impaired by unproven charges brought
to damage the officer rather than pro
| tcct the office.
The Scott county ballot was NJ
stranger In other sections of Virginit
In those days OF reconstruction.
The Democratic minister of thu
gospel, as we'll as the Democratic lay
man, approved Of the favorable results
it brought to the Democratic party.
Thls was an outgrowth of and I;
| continuation of real war; and was sub
| stituted for the rifle laid down ut APP
/ pomattoX, to shield tho homes ant
tlresides inherited from our fore
fathers against domination of blacl
i majorities, whether led BY black men
carpctbaggers, or white Virginians.
i The, action of the minority In thi
case does not appeal to me as shown,
/ love for the Governor like unto that o
Jonathan unto David" as has bee
/ claimed. c. B. NEBIETT,
Tinkllns, Va, March 0, 1908.