The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-08-03
Open Letter..
Richmond, Va, August .. 1913.

iNIGl!IncHtI, ' IL, august l'l IS.
To the Editor Of The Times Dispatch:
Dear Sir,-Your reporter called me up
III my home, Forest HILL last night, in
regard TO a circular letter or announce
chairman Manchester District Temper
ance League, said address or communi-
cation was addressed TO the men who
July 81, 1913. and asked me if wished
TO make any reply thereto
! answered him, as YOU Will see by
inter consultation with my friends. de-
cided TO reply to said circular. card or
address. or by whatever name il may
lie called, issued by my reverend friend.
ms follows:
First; ! would like to inquire by what
eied me out among the e''', many NY Who
voted in the election held July II on
the subject OF abolishing saloons in
What right does he possess to style
me manager for Mr.. Bonfant. If his
title to sign and style himself as chair
man of Manchester District Temper
ance League rests on n foundation as
slender as those he has given me, I
must conclude he is self-appointed, but
right to style himself | deny EN- :
phatically that am Ar. Bonifant' s
manager, and II is a gratuitouS assump-
ton on the part of my reverend friend,
ana he has gone long distance out of
his way to bestow a title on me that
l have no claim whatever to-
! so much dislike any controversy
with any one. especially newspaper no
toricty and correspondence, and more
wears the cloth, because all men in
an stations OF life are taught &c, re
Spect and honor both, when they keep
themselves III the station that God has
placed them.
In the recent election l only exer-
cised the same right TO my opinion and
judgment that 1913 other men did. Why
Single me out. an entire stranger 10
him? HON long has he been a citizen
he. in, "a
don't doubt his sincerity. and have
no quarrel with him for his convic-
lions. and accord him the right 10 ex-
eTcise his judgment to vote as he thinks
proper; and II would seem to me that
one who occupies the exalted position
no does would at least accord his fell
iGw MAJ, The san,c right without such
over his recent victory He glories
over haylng only roasted me on one side
eye When he contemplatcs giving me
turn at the proper moment ana roast
me TO his hearts content
Oh, what "a laudable occupation &c
loGst a stranger, and that stranger has
only committed the objectionable Of
tense OF exercising The privilege OF
don't know anything about where
my reverend friend was born. where
lie has spent his days, or what he has
accomplished. These are none OF my
concerns but only resent his inter.
terence with my rights. | Will intro.
duce myself to him q need no intro
ducton TO this community. In 1915
was born IN Powhatan County. Va
i'etoTe l was niteen years old | en-
listed in the Confederate army, October
!. 1864. and served in the defense OF
Rlchmond. about nine miles from the
city. on or near the York River Rail.
road | came 10 Manchester in 1865
and have lived here ever since. Ny
NE has been an open book. have
never III all that time kept the people
guessing how ] stood on any question
either in regard 10 men or measures
nafl9na!' STATE, city or county affairs.
open, but have never seen the dav
hour or minute that ! would SURRENDER
ny honest CONVICTION TO any man. 81
q men or party that thrift might
follow fawning" ! am now slxtv-f ou,
wears OLD, never missed an election il
my NE ana have always cast my vot.
win the full consent OF my conScienc,
tnat ! was dischareing this duty a!
Conscientiously as If | was administer
ing upon some sacrcd trust fund: an,
while have a times differed with N,
best friends, have always had In,
tEacs 70 accord 70 them the same righ
81 tnclr convictions. and have ncvc
ne!a them 10 public gaze because o
their opinions
would scorn myself 10 do such ;
have taken this liberty with me. an,
IN doing so have undertaken to stal
ana defeat my friend Bonifant, WHOM
earnestly desire to represent them il
inc next Leg stature.
II my reverend friend had wanted l.
lie fair, he could easily have called +
see me or written M q letter askini
why was opposed to the closing q
the saloons IN Swanshoro or why vi.
supporting Mr.. Bonifan, / should nav
been glad to have given him the de
sired information
I am supporting Mr.. Bonifant be
cause the good people Of Powhata
want him They have not had a repre-
sentative in ten years. and Chester
field has had three. ana my friend
in my native county appealed 10 me /
help them. and. being a citizen AN
voter Of chesterfeld, in turn appcale
10 the voters OF Chesterfield TO stan
by my native county and be reneroI,
and magnanimous enough TO give thcs
good people a representative once /
ten years, and for this great crime
am held up TO public gaze by my rev
erend friend
will still appeal to the voters to l.
fair and just TO Powhatan and civ
her her due. although AT the risk .
offending my reverend friend. but eve
at so great a risk. ] still ask the voter
md especially my friends, TO vote ~
Mr.. Bonifant, man worthy in ever
way of your confidence.
Yours truly,
AUGUSTINE ROYAL