The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-08-03
FLAYS MINISTERS
BACKING POLLARD
DR. w. c. James and Rev. T. C.
Skinner Criticized by Cumming
for Political Activity.
MIXING STATE AND CHURCH
Hampton Man Assaults Williams
and Pollard in Rich
mond Address.

a severe arraignment by S Gordon
Cumming, candidate for the attorney
generalship. Of two Richmond BAPTIST
ministers, the Rev. w. c. James, of the
Grove Avenue Baptist Church. and tho
Rev. T. Clagett Skinner. Of the Second
Baptist Church, for using their reli-
gious influence to secure votes for John
Garland Pollard. featured the speak
Ing of State candidates last night be-
fore the Lee Ward Democratic Club
Mr Cumming did not mention tho two
ministers publicly by name. but dis.
closed their identity to reporters after
he had scored them on the stand
He declared that he had copies of cir
cular letters signed by these two min
listers, written on paper bearing the let
ter-heads OF the two churches, adj
dressed to the voters OF Virginia in
behalf of the candidacy OF Mr.. Pollard.
Mr.. Cumming, unwearied by his pre-
vious address yesterday at kenbridge.
returned to the attack OF his two OPP
ponents last night with more vigor
than he has shown in any OF his cam
paign speeches to this time. Referring
to the action of DR.. James and Or.
Skinner, he said
What right has any minister to uso
his religious influence to advance tho
political ambitions of any man? 1t
is directly contrary to the wise pro-
vision for the separation of State and
church SO dear to the heart of Thomas
Jefferson and the signers of the Decla-
ration of independence. If these let
ters. say, had been written on the let
ter head of the Sacred Heart Cathedral
urging my candidacy or that OF any
other aspirant for political honors,
there would have arisen imm ediately
- ,l,1
West Virginia. When ministers at
tempt to come down from the pulpit
and mingle in political affairs. they
| endanger the autonomy of the State
and threaten political freedom"
Fling Mt Pollard.
Mr.. Cumming made a furious assault
on both Mr.. Pollard and Judge Will
lams, cmptying his heaviest guns on
the Henrico mans record a lawyer
politician and educator and Kidding the
present Attorney General for mixing
politics in the election of division
school superintendent. Harking back
to his Lynchburg joint debate with Mr.
Pollard. in which his attack on Pol
lard's legal experience had been turned
| gainst him when the Henrico man
declared that he had made twice as
much OUT OF the practice OF law as his
opponent" Mr.. Cumming said:
Thank God. l am not eXof bltant in
my legal fees. l cannot reproach my
self for having levied heavy charges
on my clients only to lose their cases
| in court"
| Williams he said. would go into Of
| fee obligated to the organization for
| his election; Pollard would have debts
| to pay to the antimachine faction;
while he himself would assume the du-
| ties of the Office unincumbered by po-
| litical obligations TO any man in Nir
cir ha a
| been sitting on the State Board OF
Education. said he, Judge Williams has
asked applicants for election as divi-
sion school superintendent what their
| political affiliations have been for the
ten years previous. He ridiculed Will
liamss celebrated Confederate veteran
speeches and oratory on his love for
| Virginia. and declared that a record
of service in the Confederate Army is
not sufficient grounds for tho re-elec-
ton of the present Attorney General.
The time has como when Virginia
must cease to fill important State Of
hces with the purpose of pensioning
men who have no other qualifications
for the office than record in the Con-
federate Army"
Defends Williams.
Appearing in behalf of Attorney
General Williams. T. Gray Haddon pre-
sented defense Of the charges that
Williams had allowed politics to be
mixed with the election of school SUI
perintendents. and that he had been
| reprimanded by the State Supreme
Court for failure TO be prepared on the
facts in certain lawsuit.
Most of the criticism Of Judge Will
liamss action on the State Board or
Education" said he. has grown from
the fact that Judge Williams has diff
fered from other members of the board
in regard to certain of the frills that
decorate the advanced theories of edu-
cation. He rebelled because of the ex-
penditure OF SO much money from the
time 1T is voted by the board until it
reaches the children In the schools"
j. Taylor Stratton read letter from
lLieutenant-Go Ellyson asking the
votes of the club, and setting forth his
qualifications for the Office he is seek
Ing TO All again. No one was present
TO speak for Mr.. Pollard, but a tele-
gram and letter from the Henrico can
didate were read. In a brief address,
Lewis H. Machen. candidate for Lieu
tenant-Governor. pied his cause be-
rore the club. and was we'll received
| although he was the last speaker of
the evening, and spoke to an audience
that had listened for several hours to
fervid oratory.