Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1911-08-11

Gordon, since deceased, and Chair
man ]. Taylor Ellyson OF the Demo-
cratic State Committee, and in cor
dial association much of the time with
Mr.. Martin and Mr.. Jones. both of
whom were during much, if not all, OF
that period members Of the Demo-
cratic Executive Committee and con-
versant with its work.
81 had every reason to believe at
the time that my efforts were approx
ed and appreciated by our best men,
and, however much the conditions OF
those trying times may be unknown to
the younger generation, or forgotten
or distorted, I have always felt SUI
preme satisfaction in the service |
was thus able to render my people.
ssThese funds thus collected were
always distributed in aid of the Dem
ocratic party and its candidates either
directly by the State chairman, or. II
in any case the money did not physl-
cally pass through his hands, it was
disposed of for Democratic purposes
in accordance with his direction or
authority. If, there vas any instance
in which money was disposed OF even
in aid of Democratic candidate with
out the knowledge or authority OF the
chairman, it has entirely escaped my
memory. Certainly there was no such
practice or purpose. None OF 1t, SO
far as 1 know or believe, was given
on condition that the recipient or the
beneficiary should act in his .cfficial
capacity in any particular way. 1t
was OF course, not expected that the
contributors to this Democratic fund
would be unfairly treated, injured or
destroyed by the Democratic party. "
"What do you underst and to be the
meaning of the reference in the letter
to General Logan to Mr.. Ellyson s
having acted in the most thorough
good faith to u.s.? Who is intended
by 'us'Y'
HOW RAILROADS FEEL ABOUT IT.
"As | say. do not remember the
letters nor the exact circumstances
under which they were written, but
would construe 'us' as meaning the
railroads, and that when I was ap'
pealing to a railroad man, such as
General Logan, for contributions,
was giving him the assurance, which
myself felt. that the Democratic man
ayers. including Chairman Ellyson
who were asking the railroads foi
help, were not doing so with the .trai'
ferrous purpose of first getting rail
road aid and then entering upon
program of unfairness and destruc
ton against them, but could be de
pended upon for fair treatment, ano
to let it be known. if occasion should
require to prevent injustice. that the
ailroads had assisted in upholdine
the Democratic party, and were en-
titled to fairness al its hands. l ex'
pected fairness not only from the
chairman, Mr.. Ellyson, but from al
in Democratic AUTHORIZATION both
Mr.. Martin and Mr.. Jones, who wert
then in the Democratic committee.
am sure these and other property in
terests were entitled to that much, ant
that neither | nor any other contribu
tor from whom l assisted in securing
Contributions expected or wanted an!
more.
Il feel great reluctance about max
| ing any statement in reference to I
political campaign in Virginia. l an
no longer citizen of that State, hav
| ing moved to Georgia many year
ago, but as my name has been public
| ly brought into the campaign l hav
] felt it necessary to make this state
ment. l hope that no further partici
patton on my part will be required.