The Washington herald., 1909-07-30
JAMES MANN REPLIES
Answers Charges of Tucker
About Smith Letter.
MISSIVE FROM JUDGE MANN
Declares GubernatOriaI Candidates
Name Should Have Been Signed,
and II II Was Not "A Natural Mis-
take Occurred-PrOmise to support
smith Intended for Present.

Roanoke, Va, July 2s-Col James
Mann, manager for Judge Mann in his
gubernatorial campaign. has given out
the following statement in answer TO Mr..
fuckers letter:
In a statement given to the press IN
reference 10 the Smith letters, Mr.. Tucker
seeks to avoid tho responsibility for hav-
ing, as Judge Mann said, pursued his
usual policy in quoting only part Of the
record by saying that the letter OF July
II was signed by me and not by Judge
Mann; and in his speech at Newport
News last night not by direct charge
FOR such is not his method, but by in
situation, Mr.. Tucker sought 10 make the
impression that Judge Mann was doing
tie running and James Mann the prom
Using.
IF the second Smith letter went out
over my signature, It was of course an
inadvertence. as a reading Of the letter
clearly and distinctly shows that II was
intended TO be from Judge Mann himself,
all of which Mr.. Tucker well knew. Be
that as it may, that letter was in the
possession Of Mr., Tucker az the time he
made his speech az CORTLAND according
10 his own admission; and the fact that
1t was IN his possession proves conclu-
sively that Mr.. Tucker did read only part
Of the record and that he deliberately set
out to deceive and mislead the people Of
Virginia. as he has done in q number Of
other cases that have been enumerated
by Judge Mann in his public speeches.
wrote Under Pressure.
Il wrote tho first letter TO Mr.. Smith.
and when 1 wrote II in the press OF a
tremendously heavy correspondence, 1
was under the impression that Mr. John
II. Smith IN his letter was asking that
Judge Mann aid W. d. Smith in his then
candidacy for reelection for superintend-
ent OF schools Of Scott County. I was
very much indeed surprised when heard
it being contended that Judge Mann had
promised Mr.. w d. Smith to support him
four years from now. The files were i'm
mediately examined, and II was found
that the letter from Mr.. John H. Smith,
coupled with the reply 1 had sent over
Judge Manns signature, might be con-
strued as a promise 70 aid Mr.. W ID.
Smith four years hence. 1 am sorry
have not the letter here tina; 1 may make
Il a part Of this statement. but IL Is now
in Judge Mann's possession. Sufficient
to say that It was open 90 such construc-
ton, or the second letter would not have
not my intention. and that any promise
Of any kind binding upon Judge Mann
as governor would be I'm direct disregard
OF his express Instructions 20 me. ] called
the correspondence To MS attention and
the second letter was sent 20 Mr. Smith.
which made 10 clear beyond all question
that Judge Mann did not intend 20 make
any promise 20 support Mr. w ID. Smith
four years hence. This letter was writ
ten nearly a month before the date of the
primary. and concludes as follows:
The correspondence with you has Just
come to my attention. and hasten 10
make this correction, as I do not want
any man 20 give me his support under
misrepresentation
Not in Richmond.
Judge Mann was not in Richmond on
July u. but he was here for several days
previous 70 that day. Owing 20 the fact
that we send out perhaps a thousand
letters a day. many Of them are given
to the stenographers one day and not
written and mailed until the next But
this part OF Mr.. fuckers statement IS a
bubble pure and simple. Judge Mann
was fully apprised OF the whole matter
and was shown the original correspond
ence. and the second letter was in strict
accord with his directions. That il was
signed with my name was. as I have
said. manifestly an inadvertence.
Now. I'm reference to Mr.. Tucker
insinuation that James Mann is doing
Che promising, I wish 70 say that Judge
Mann's written directions 70 me. when l
took charge of his campaign. contained
the specific instruction. Make no pledges
or promises I have never had authority
to make any promise or pledge for him.
and 1 have not directly or indirectly
made or offered TO make any promise or
pledge OF any kind whatsoever. binding
or seeking 10 bind Judge Mann, and
wish 10 say with all the emphasis pos
sible that any statement. whether made
by Mr.. Tucker or by any one else. that
have done so, is absolutely untrue, and
any man who now repeats the charge
that I have made any promise or pledge
for Judge Mann will repeat Il with the
brand Of falsehOod fresh upon IT, Judge
Mann has himself emphatcally stated
that he has made no promises or pledges
and that he has authorized no one 70
make any for him.
''In view OF Mr. fuckers unfortunate
habit Of quoting only part OF the record
which has been repeatedly demonstrated.
and which he has confessed as TO these
very Smith letters. I will mail q copy
OF this statement TO him. in order that
he may have in his possession all the
facts II he cares TO pursue his charge.
JAMES MANN"