Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-02-21
MANN's FORMER OPPONENT
SUBMITS HIS VERSION
Contestant for Senatorial Seat Ten
Years Ago Submits Some caustie
Remarks.

Issue Or tHe NouIhS So
zette for this week the following edi'
,orial article is printed. evidently
written by Mr.. +. P. Buford, the edi-
tor. who WAS Judge Mann's opponent
for the state senate ten Years ago:
In reference to the senatorial cleo
ton in 1899. Judge Mann says in part:
ITO layman who is not familiar
with the facts. this seems a satisfac-
tory explanation. and an aswer to
the charge of fraud. but those of us
who recall the election know that
Judge Mann half conceals and half
reveals the actual facts
The senatorial district at that
time was composed OF Brunswick.
Nuremberg and Nottoway, and the two
opposing candidates were Judge Mann
of Holloway and Mr.. F. p. Buford
of Brunswick. Mr.. Bufords majority
in his county was 1899, and in Lu-
nenburc county. 150-total majorities
larger than the combined votes IN
Nottoway of Mr.. Epes and Mr.. Thorp.
the opposing candidates for congress
the previous year. Returns were re-
ceived from every precinc, In these
two counties, one OF which at the
time was practically without rail-
road or a telephone system before
anything was heard from the cleo
ton in Nottoway. with the Norfolk
& Western Railroad passing through
several OF the voting places. When
Mr.. Buford's majority in Lunenturg
and Brunswick became known to the
politicians OF Nottoway. they gave out
Judge Manns majority in his county.
At 1853. and that night the clerks
office OF Nottoway county was brok-
en- into. or rather entered, As nothing
was broken, We are informed, except
one slat on d window blind and the
poll books containing the names OF
those who are supposed to have voted
were DESTROYED The ballots were
left but they did not give the names
of the voters who we're supposed to
have cast them. summary of the
result of the count was sent TO Rich
mond, but no names were on it to
show who voted. Judge Mann knows
this. and he should not say: Forth
Eately for me. the original returns
of the commissioners were in Rich
mond. otherwise the taking OF the
papers would have been very much
against me. As it was no harm was
done to anyone further than 20 fur,
nish nretext for the crv Of fraud.
With the poll books destroyed. how
could MFR. Ruford have contested? He
could not except by summoning every
man in Nottovay county and asking
him how he voted and this woold
have amounted to hut little. rs some
NAV have died and some may have
moved away. So i; is apparent that
by destroying the POLL books Mr.. Blu
fori's only opportunity to make
contest was gone. and 1t Is Obvious
that these books were taken to in
sure Judge Mann his certificate OF
election.
THE reason is plain why the re
turns were not made public until after
tho returns from Brunswick and LII
ncnturg were known at Nottoway
and as soon as they were. the POL
books were stolen The ballot toAes
were stuffed and the hooks DESTROYED
SO tina. there could he no evidence
| to connect the criminals vita their
crime. " this is not the re;son. VII,
were they stolen? II Juds: Mann is
honestly sincere in his card. h" >hou'd
give candid answer - this que
tiCn.