The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-08

hIOdMOND, VA, IUESL
any decent Citizen how to vote. This
is no time for evasion or excuse. vir-
ginians are entitled to a statement
from Senator Martin, the very best
that no can give
Can't Reply Satisfactorily.
senator Martin has not replied 1t
is not possible for him to do SO satis-
tactorily; but the Virginia papers of
yesterday contain a statement purport-
ing to have been given out in New
York by Mr.. j. 8. Barbour Thompson
bearing upon the six now famous let
ters written by him. This statement in
! part conforms closely to and devetails
nicely into those made by Senator
Martin and Mr.. Ellyson. but It throws
no new light upon the subject, and
standing alone as 1t does, in nowise
strengthens their denials In one most
important particular. however. 1t docs
not tally with one statement which
Mr. Ellyson has made.
Mr.. Thompson asserts that the
ciaim that these letters show that a
yellow dog fund had been provided
by the railroads. and that Senator
Martin was one of the agents for the
disbursement OF 1t is false. He says:
Inc letters. In so far as they relate
paign FUNDS contributed by the rail-
roads or by their owners and by men
OF means generally to the Democratic
party OF the State. Such contributions
We're unquestionably made, and were
made at the earnest solicitation of the
Democratic managers
The Issues. he says, were between
Anslo-saxon civilization. represented
by the democratic party. and negro
domination. represented by its oppo-
nents.
These funds Mr.. Thompson goes
on to say, were always distributed In
aid of the Democratic party and its
candidates. either directly by the
State chairman, or. If in any case the
money did not physically pass through
his hands, it was disposed OF for
Democratic purposes in accordance
with his directions or authority II
there was any instance in which money
was disposed even in aid Of a Demo
cratic candidate without the knowl-
edge or authority of tho chairman, 1t
has entirely escaped my memory. Ger
tainly there was no such practice or
purpose. None of 1t. SO far as l know
or believe, was given on condition that
the recipient or the beneficiary should
act In his official capacity in any par.
ticular way
Being asked. who Is intended by
Us" in his letter to General Logan
MI Thompson replied, I would CON
strue us as meaning the railroads.
Statements mt Variance.
Mr. Thompson's statement that the
funds contributed by the railroads
were always distributed In the aid OF
the Democratic party and its candi-
dates. either directly by the state
chairman. or. II in any case the money
did not physically pass through his
hands, 1T was disposed OF for Demo
cratic purposes in accordance with
his direction or authority is directly
In the teeth or "a statement made by
Mr.. Ellyson in letter written by him
to Mr.. c. V. Meredith on the Goth OF
November, 1898 and introduced as evil
dence in the Martln-Lee Investigation.
In that letter it is stated that 1t is
unquestionably true that he (Mr.
Thompson) did distribute funds with
out my previous knowledge
Mr.. Thompson now fatty contra
diets this assertion. This raises a
! question OF veracity between those
gentlemen with which I have no per-
/ sonal concern; but do not hesitate
/ to express the opinion that all the evil
/ dence and circumstances surrounding
J this subject indicate to my mind that
/ Mr.. Ellyson did not depart very far
/ from the truth when he alleged that
Thompson distributed funds without his
/ previous knowledge.
Mr.. Thompson denounces as false
the claim that the letters I have read
to you show that a yellow dog fund
had been provided by the railroads,
| and that Senator Martin was one OF
the railroad agents for the disburse-
ment of that fund.
Mr.. Thompson will not deny, I
I a
utcd by various railroads. which. in
the aggregation. amounted to many
thousands of dollars. should he do So
! shall be prepared to prove that such
was the case. The letters have al
ready read show that the Richmond
/ and Danville, Chesapeake and Ohio and
! the Richmond. Frederick sburg and Po-
tomac Railroads contributed to this
fund. shall now read a letter writ
ten by Mr. Thompson on November
23, 1891. showing that he had re-
ce!ved from the treasurer of the Bal
( timore and Ohio Railroad a check for
/ $4,000. which on that day he asked
to be placed In bank to his credit.
| VIII he say that this money was con-
! tributed by the Baltimore and Ohio
/ Railroad for the purpose OF preserving
| Anglo-saxon civilization in Virginia?
| If this money was not to constitute
/ part OF yellow dog legislative
fund. for what purpose was 1t to be
| used?
II. & o. Check for $4,000.
This letter Is as follows:
| "'November %, 1891.
"'(Pcrsounl.)
''Mr. Charles II. HooR, Cashier First
| National Bank, Alexnndrin, Va;
"Denr Sir,-InclOsed please find
check for Mr. w. fl. Ijhms, TREASURER
Il. az q. r. r., on the Citizcns' M
tfonal Bunk of Baltimore, Md, for
$1,000, which plense place to my credit.
"'Iiindiy acknowledge receipt.
"'Yours truly,
tsigned) "'J. S. p. THOMPSON.'
When Mr.. Thompson explains the
use to which this money was placed
mn, al Il Z nj :.