The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-10-29
COL. R. c. BLAYDss
Chairman Republican Party Of Spot
sylvania Replies to Mr.. S. p. Powell.

Mt. Pleasant. Va, Oct. 25.
To The Free Lance:
There is a universal expression
so very applicable TO the over
whelmningly defeated candidate Tor
the craftsmanship of the Republican
part for Spotsylvania county, Peter
Powell. that ii may be well to quote
II here. namely. 1T is the wound
ed pigeon that always flutters.
and that is why it appears neces-
sary to Powell to consume so much
OF your space in trying to explain
to the public the reason he was a
candidate for the craftsmanship. His
explanation is as false as his po-
sitiOn was before the Republican
mass meeting at Spotsylvania {. II.
on the 18th OF September last. and
another quotation may help us in
this connection. namely. The
truth. though crushed 10 earth. Will
rise sgain.
Observe thar Powell says that he
did not promise to oppose me for
the craftsmanship. 1t is q funda-
mental principle extending back
from time immemorial that every
case must stand or fall upon the
facts. therefore. | herewith sub
mit the certificates of S l. Bag
ge;t and J. p. II. Crismond. both
OF whom certify that Powell per
sOnally inform them that he would
not oppose re under any circum-
stances. and I know full well that
HE PEI ONALLN STATED TO ME
THE SAME THING. Said certifi-
Gates read rs follows.
To al whom 1t may concern:
DO hereby certify that S. Peter
Pow. n personally stated to me that
ne would not oppose Col. r. c.
Blaydcs for craftsmanship OF the Re
publican party of Spotsylvania Co.
under any circumstances. Given un-
der my hands this the 18th day OF
October. 1910
]. p. II. Crismond.
70 all whom il may concern:
do hereby certify that S.
Peter Powell personally stated TO
me that nc would not oppose Col
r. c. Blaydes for craftsmanship of
The Republican party Of Spotsylvania
county under any circumstances Civ
IN under my hand this the 18Th
day Ct October. 1910.
S. /. Baggett.
II is ielse that any such CONVEX
Sation took place between Powell
and myself. as the one referred to
by Powell. for at no time did Pow
oll ever tell me that he was cOnsid-
ewing as to whether he would be
R candidate and know that |
never made the statement,
Il do not think will oppose
you. the same being as false as
its author Peter Powell. Fellow
citizens. will you believe two rep
utahle disinterested parties or will
you believe Powell. an interested
and prejudiced party, who says that
men,s IS said certificates mention?
a satisfied you will say Powell is
guilty as charged. and thus place
the falsehOCd where il justly be
longs But equally bad as the
above were the sneaking and cow
ardly methods pursued by Powell.
for all the time he was holding out
for me and my friends that he
would not oppose me for the posi-
tiOn. he was like a sheep in wolf s
clothing, going around and secretly
drumming up men TO come to the
next mass meeting and vote for
him. do not mind man that will
fight openly. but | do hate COW
ards know OF no enemy worse
than an enemy in the camp. for
while he was ostensibly my friend.
and would not oppose me, both
he and his cousin, James p. Turn
ley. were underhandedly. sneakingly
and treacherOUsly going around
from pillar to post for four months
prior 10 the meeting trying to get
out o crowd to knife me.
Powell knowingly and falsely mis-
represents the vote cast in the
mass meeting. for | am informed by
the secreatry OF said meeting. who
made q record of the proceedings
hat Powell only received 46 votes
and received g.. thereby giving
me a clear and handsome majority
OF p But for the false position
Of Powell. which led me to believe
would have no opposition. and
lot finding out any better until tie
Sunday preceding the Monday on
which the meeting was held. feel
confident that my majority would
lave easily have been az least
i've times as large
Powell charges that the Cole
mans ran me and that was why
le was not elected. Such a charge
is false. for | want it understood
hat | am MY own man and conduct
ny affairs. both private and pub
lie. to suit myself Politically. |
sndeavor to act in the interest OF
md for the good of the Republican
party / was a Republican 40 year
lgo, and | cast my first vote for
Ulysses s. Grant for president OF
he United States, and ever since
have maintained and supported
he principles enunciated by the
Republican party and no man can
ruthfully say that ever scratch
d a Republican nominee for any
office in my life.
Since | am charged with being
'un By the Democrats. which is abb
.olutely false. pray tell me Uhat
'easOn your cousin, James p. 1 urn
ey, has for wishing you chairman?
[ may be that your cousin. James
,. TURNKEY, who has belonged 10 the
'opulist and other parties, wants
be county treasurer. or some
uch an imposition upon the people
nd may think that he could use
he party under your administra-
ion to promote his own personal
interests, as II is very apparent
hat the Turnleys dictate to you
PowelD what to do. If your cous-
n. James p. TURNKEY. does not max
my better treasurer. in case he
ihould be elected. than he has sher-
II. | might with all propriety say
God save old Spotsylvania from de-
itruction, for it is recognized fact
n my section that he has not made
IN arrest since he has been sheriff.
Who for lack of reason could not
get out of the way. Think, fell
low-citizens, Mr.. James p. Turnkey,
before | was made chairman, would
not affiliate with the Republican
organization and il was not until
[ forced him into ranks that any
body could tell what he was in pol
itics-hence have increased the
party to this extent. If no more.
but | still maintain that the party
has increased largely under my