Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-07-13
THE MANN LETTERS.

THE MANN LETTERS.
During The last mooth fum9rs have
circula ed quietly OF the existence OF
letters written by Judge William Hodges
Mann, candidate for the democratic
nomination for governor, to the late
G neral William Malone iu 1890.
Il was said Il at these leltess proved
Judge Mann TO have been IN active
secret sympathy with General Malone
snd The the padjusiers ard republicans.
Additional in,eress wss given these
stories by the public charge Of Harry
st. John Tucker that Judge Mann bad
solicited and accepted reelection as
judge for the Nots~sy county conrt
from the readjustsr Legislation and that
be had invited and received the support
of General Malone. Judge Mann In
reply to Mr.. Tucker, fatty denied these
accusations. His denial was reinforced
by published statement from George
z. Smith. now democrat and treasurer
OF Lunenburg county.
The Richmond News-Lesder yesterday
afternoon published the following letters:
Nottowsy Courthouse, Nov %, 1879.
General William Malone,
Dear Sir: l intended going to your
house on Thursday and again on Friday
night, but on each occasion had COM
pany myself and was 30 deprived Of the
pleasure Of seeing you during my short
stay In the city. did see and have
talk with General Boiling, and kuow
something OF your plans from him, and
write now to say that while much pre-
ferring that you should be our governor,
shall nevertheless rejoice 10 your cleo
ton TO the senate of the United States,
to which position l have no doubt yon
will be speedily chosen by the legislature
about to assemble.
l talked with Il. II. Dyson, of this
county, and Archer Scott, our represent
alive, previous to the election, and
found them most fsvorably inclined to
you personally, and on Thursday morn
ing last sgsin saw Dyson, who is the
head and front OF the republican party
in this county, and who elected both
Scott and Williams, and he thought they
would both support you. This, how
ever, is no news, because Dyson told me
he had seen you. If can be of any
service to you In this section It will be
cheerfully rendered.
Most respectfully end truly,
W. II. MANN.
The next letter Ia dated nearly two
months later, the day after Judge Mann
had been reelected TO the judgeship. 1t
Is as follows:
Nottoway o. H., Jan. 20, 1880.
General William Malone:
Dear Sir-Plesse accept my sincere
thanks for your kindness during the re-
cent canvass for the judgeship Of this
county. With no political claims to the
position l could only rely on your per-
soDal friendship. And on that account
| more highly appreciate and value my
success. | shall not soon forget the con-
sideratiOn with which | have been treat
ed, and shall particularly and gratefully
remember that no pledge of any kind
was asked of me. On that account |
shall the more readily respond to the
wishes of my people, who without re-
gard to their position on the debt ques.
ton have with gratifying unauimity
stood by mo in the contest. With best
wishes for your future happiness and
success, to which shall be glad to con-
tribute, | remain
Nest respectfully and truly yours, ETC.,
w. Fl. MANN.
In this Judge Mann seems to indicate that
he had no political claim on Gene raj Malone
but that he had received MahOne's active sup
port for personal reasons. Apparently he did
not know at that time that General Malone
had opposed him. as Mr.. Smith says he did.
This supposed opposition of General Ma
hone to Judge Mann has curious light thrown
upon it by the third letter, written six months
after the contest for the judgeship.
Law Office OF VIM. II. Mann.
NottOway G. H., Va, July IL, 1880
General William Malone:
Dear Sir.-Afier fair trial / am convinced
that Judge, even Of a county court, to avoid
all sus picion of partially or prejudice, should
not be active in politics so long az he holds a
position which gives him jurisdiction over
the lives and liberties of all political parties.
And so | have some time since determined
not TO make political speech or take any &C.
tive part in politics while have my present
position. am glad you were so kind as to
mention the matter under the cover of our
personal relations, both because of my desire
to keep out of politics, and ofthe opportunity
afforded Of saying that having always sup.
ported you because deemed it for the best
interest of the State shall continue to do 70.
and am happy to add that my high esteem for
you personally makes this a most pleasant
duty.
Most respectfully and truly,
w n MANN