The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-29

If l received the money 1t was either
turned over to Mr.. Ellyson or used by
me Tor campaign purposes in the man
ner which was thoroughly understood
between Mr.. Ellysori and myself. The
letter on Its face shows nothing which
l have ever concealed or OF which 1
haVe ever been ashamed. 1t shows that
was raising money for the campaign
in the fall OF 1891. 1t was a disin-
terested public service; II vas a ser
vice in the Interest OF the Democratic
party 1t was a service I'm the interest
of the welfare of my State. j raised
many thousands OF dollars for tho
same purpose. Not only every member
OF the executive committee and of the
state committee knew what we were
doing, but the intelligent people of the
state generally knew of 1t. and ap-
proved Il. They were the benefciaries
then. and the people OF the State are
stHl enjoying the benefits OF the VIC
tories won by the Democratic man
In that day.
No Corruption Fund.
The next letter is dated october ..
n was addressed to Mr.: Decatur
suggests to Mr.. ANtcll that it would
he we'll for him to turn ocer to me
II similar amount to the last II given.
| have no more recollection of that let
ter or the amount turned over to me,
II 1t was turned over, than 1 have of
the first letter. Isknow that / solicited
funds from Mr.. AXtell and l know that
he was on many occasions instrument
tai In securing funds for the Demo-
cratic party. i have known Mr.. Axtcll
since he first came to Virginia, and |
have always known him as a man OF
the highest honor and as an earnest
Democrat. 1 do not believe that there
is a man In the sound of my voice who
would suspect him of being connected
with any corruption fund or any fund
to be used for any improper or i'm
moral purpose.
The third letter bears date Novem-
Der %, and was addressed to Mr.. j. Ii.
Bogart. | have not the slightest recol-
lection of that letter. So far as I know
1t, and never heard of the remittance
referred to in it nntil the letter was
recently published. [ had "a slight ac-
u,iaintancc with MI. Bogart, Knowing
influence in Southampton county. 1
never heard a breath of suspicion
against his integrity or character. He
has been dead many years. and from
all | ave known and heard OF him
Mr.. Jones Will be fortunate If. when
he dies, he leaves behind him as good
a name as Mr.. Bogart left, 1t Will be
noted that in his letter Mr.. Thompson
asked MIR. Bogart to see me on his ar
rival in Richmond on the following
Monday. MIR. Thompson tells Mr.. Bo-
CART that he does not know whether
or not / will be In Richmond, but in
case that | am absent he must confer
freely with General Hin and Mr.. Card
well. Here again MIR. Thompson refers
to two of the highest and best men
OF their day and generation. General
Hill has been dead for man years. He
was a gallant Confederate soldier. who
lost an arm on the field Of battle. He
served mny terms in the State Legisla-
ture from the county of Albemarle.
and was for many years Railroad Com
missioner in V~irginia--whe there was
only one commissions under our law.
IA. { = ,.-aa @,., Ill - - %A1
His honor was never impeached. His
patriotism was never eXcclled. Can
the distorted morality OF n ~mendacious
demagogue so pervert this letter to
make the Virginia people believe that
Mr.. Thompson was In communication
with Mr.. BoEart in ordc" to carry out
any evil, dishonorable. or improper
plans with General Hill. Judge Card
we'll and myself? Reasoning from the
known history of the time and with
out recalling any knowledge what
ever as TO the circumstances under
which the letter was written. and
tion as to whether Mr.. Bogart found
me or not, I am unable to recall ny
thing about which my presence was
desired except the then rending cam
paign OF Hon. II. IL. Cardwell for the
position of Speaker of the House of
Delegates. Mr.. Cardwell was then and
had been for many years one OF my
closest and most Intimate friends. I
was at hat period of my life thrown
a great deal with him., and I know
I felt the deepest interest in his cleo
ton to the speakership. a position
to which he was first elected in 1881,
when nc did have opposition. and
when I was his earnest friend and
supporter. He had been re-elected in
1889 without opposition. So far as |
can now recall. In 1891, when the
Legislature was about TO reassemble.
he was a candidate for recollection to
the speakership. and opposition was
being organized. His friends were
rallyinE to his support. / was one OF
them. feeling n deep interest and TAX
ing an active part in his behalf. /
cannot imagine any other cause for
Mr., Thompson desiring Mr.. Bogart.
when he reached Richmond, 10 see me,
General Hill and Mr.. Cardwell.
Needs No Explanation.
The fourth letter also bears date Novem-
her %, 1891. 1t was addressed TO General f.
N. Logan. II was written after the cleo
ton. In It Mr.. Thompson shows anxiety
about having $500 which had been expected
OF Major Myers turned over to Mr.. Ellyson.
l could not in the nature OF things know
anything about that letter. 1t Is perfectly
manifest from Its face, however, that the
full amount OF the contribution which Mr..
Thompson had assured Mr.. Ellyson would
be paid over TO him had not been paid up,
and he was trying TO make good a contr!-
button which had been promised. II that
letter needs any explanation. which is not
furnished on its face, there Is no reason
why i aHoolu NC Nutith uIbh ~ u hhb
explanation. 1t docs not, however. neet
any explanation. II | am not mistaken,
General I. NJ. Logan was Il: that time on
the state Executive Committee. Blu whether
he WAS on the or not. he al
ways took the deepest Interest in our cam
paigns and was always exceedingly useful
in helping us raise campaign funds. lie had
been chairman OF the State committee. and
when he was chairman 7 was thrown to
some extent with him. and my acquaint-
ancc had continued and my relations with
him were Intimate for many years, and I'M
I'll his business required him to spend most
OF hts time In New York. Even after he
moved TO New York ] saw him occasional
ly. aud esteemed him as one Of my bcs;
friends. and knew him then and know him
now as AN able. upright and patriotic cit!-
zen. who has brought honor to V!rginil
and will never bring Il spot or stain on her
history. Does anybody believe that any
dishonest or improper plans or purposes
we're in contemplation IN matters with
which We're connected General r. NJ. Logan.
Major II. Il. ID. Myers and Hon. j, Taylor
Eiiyson? My name Is used in this letter
in connection with the following sentence:
Both Martin and I were thoroughly i'm
Pressed with the fair manner lie tEllySon)
II a n "a t,t anI 49, pTaat Ian,