The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-11

In an authorized statement given
to The Times-Dispatch last night re-
garding the Thompson letters present
ed by w. a. Jones. j. Taylor Ellyson.
who was in 1891, as now, chairman
/ OF the Democratic party in this State.
gives a review OF the history of the
! times. He tells how the leading men
of the State, among them Senator
Daniel, Mr.. Martin and General F'itz-
hugh Lee. joined in soliciting and ac-
ceptng contributions for the Demo-
cratic campaign funds from railroads
and other corporations. All business
interests in those days desired the
continuance of Democratic rule, which
meant stable conditions which prevail
under white mans government.
After Nominations Were Made.
The Implication is that Senator Mar
tin, then a private citizen and a men,
Der OF the State Democratic Executive
Committee. helped to solicit these
funds. L, is noticed that the letters
referring to money raised In 1891 were
written prior TO the November cleo
ton for members of the Legislature.
but after all the party nominations
had been made, and when the sole con-
sideration which induced money con-
tributions was Democratic success. and
when the personnel OF the candidates
could not have been affected. The en-
ception is one letter when the State
Committee seems to have been left
with a shortage after the campaign.
For this course in securing fund.-
and in disbursing them, Mr.. Ellyson
expresses no regrets. He emphatically
denies that, although he handled these
contributions, he was asked TO do any
| thing in regard to legislation by any
| representative OF any railroad.
Further. he recalls that the last
time when railroad money was used
in this State was in the election of
1901, when Messrs. Montague. Willard
and Anderson were the nominees for
the highest state Offices
Chairman Eliyson's Statement.
The interview with Mr.. Ellyson is
a follows:
4 have read the reports Of the
speech of Mr.. w a. Jones at Wood
stock to-day. e 1t is known to Mr..
Jones. as to any one in any way oon-
nected with the conduct OF party af-
fairs in Virginia, that from the time
Hon. John S. Barbour was elected
chairman in 1888. until the adoption
of the new Constitution. we were ac-
customed to collect campaign contri-
buttons from railways and other cor
porations. The last time of which I
have any knowledge. when contribu
tions were received from corporations
to our campaign. was in 1901. This
was when Hon. \. ]. Montague was
cur nominee for Governor. Colonel 10
seph f. Willard for Lieutenant-Gov
ernor and Major William A. Anderson
for Attorney General.
II presume no one will deny that
Mr.. Barbour was chosen. first, because
of his ability, and second because of
his close relations with great railway
corporations. which gave him ready
access to those who made the contri-
buttons at that time so much needed.
The splendid work accomplished by
MIR Barbour makes his name one al
ways to be gratefully remembered by
those who appreciate what was dono
by the leaders of that day.
The One Great Question.
I'VE were asked in those days but
one question-'How can we carry the
State?-and the men on whom the
burden and responsibility for the fail
ure of success of the campaign rested.
were judged by results. individuals
1 and corporations cor cerned about the
highest welfare of the Commonwealth
were only too glad to make contribu-
tions to the campaign funds.
In the two years to which Mr..
Jones refers-lS91 and iS93--the gem
tlemen who rendered me the most
valuable assistance in securing cam
paign funds were Mr. b. B. Munford.
Mr. Joseph Bryan. Major Lewis Ginter.
Senator John w. Daniel and General
Fitzhugh Lee They went with me
and gave me the fullest cooperation
and support in obtaining contributions
from every source known to be
friendly to the perpetuation of Anglo
Saxon domination in Virginia
II had no apologies then for tho
fight ] made to keep Virginia In con-
troll of the white people. and ] have no
regrets now for anything did. III:
accomplishing that result
No requests by Railroads.
ITO answer tho specific matter with,
which Mr.. Jones is plea to asso-