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

South Richmond Va, August Q, 1913.
To the Editor of The Times Dispatch:
Dear Sir.-on my arrival in the CITY
nus morning my attention was called
10 an article or news item in Your
Issue of this date. under the caption.
Mr. Thrift penounces Bonifant as Can
much surprised TO see such an an
louncement. especially emanating from
such q source, because such is not the
! offered myself the floater dele
gate from the Counties of Powhatan
ana aira Chesterlield two years ago. I Of
me entire people, and not In the In
, ,erest Of, OF any sect, creed, special in
and only failed OF the nomination. bv
some forty-odd votes,
MY people in Powhatan being desir-
Gus OF representation mot having had
any Tor the past ten years., again
called on me to be candidate to rep
resent them in the next General AZ
sembly. | consented. and have made
my canvass in the two counties bv an
open, frank and fair presentation of
IONS OF ne day, using no PERSONAL
tlcs or reflections upon any one. but
meeting the voters at public places or
AT their homes, and laying before them
honestly my Views and what / stood
for nnd, am happy TO say, with great
cncouraGemenO.
Nov. in a card issued by Rev. Mr.
g. l. Thrift. chairman Manchester Dis
trlct temperance League. he uses
IT means that the same crowd that
tried 10 Hasten three low grade saloons
on on, the women and children in swans
5,oro is attempting to send a man TO the
legislature OF Virginia TO make our
laws. cannot understand why the
very reverend gentleman should have
zone Out or his way 10 assail me in
This manner. l had no part or lot i'm
me hght, which, was purely local.
attended none OF the meetings. pro or
con- and do think it unfair and nm
Just TO advise the voters to turn me
ana my people in the County OF Pow
hatan down because certain voters in
that district had the tcmcrity to eXcr-
tise tncir right as frcemen and vote
,hhe'r honest sentiments and against
thc views OF the reverend gentleman
have offered myself as fioatcr
delegate for the two counties, to repre-
the support OF all the people. regard
les: OF creed. occupation or whether
wet or dry.
All ask of the good people of Cbes-
terrified is TO be fair and GENEROUS 10
her sister county. Powhatan and give
her representation once in ton years:
me justice of this appeal, and will not
" ti themselves to be carried off on
cular above alluded TO. because il is
unfalr To- charge me with being boosted
pH tns liquor men and that 1 am their
! hereby rcpudiate the charge. as
interest Of no set of men; but if elected
sent the interest of all the people.
ID see another stateme.nt in the said
f Roya Or is e' mW aaat Mr. bAinsnstine
q true statement. | have no manager
Mr.: hoyall was born and raised in my
COUNT, and moved to Manchester
q ire above rcproach, and has / be-
l9ve done everything In his power to
ana has proven himself worthy
adopted SON But wish to state here
amat 4lthough NJ Royal has been
nan Il century. not one momeat of that
tlnc has he ever forgotten his place
Of nativity. and haa at all times been
ready and willing to help, aid ana as.
undertakings.
ne sees so plainly that my county is
ny every right entitled to delegate
al 'id; mas taken 3h an active part In my
cdnuiddcy Tor this reason purely as In
an the past years he has never failed
10 stand by us.
In your issue of to-day this expres
sion is used: "a warning il issued NJ
BonifAnt. who he tMr Thrift claims
VII If elected, cndeavor to re- establish
nave been recently voted out" In rcplv
TO this. Will say that such a statement
may mslcnd some minimizing voter.
nut no man OF common sense will or
can be fooled by such statement
IN The first place. the Legislature can
, n,aE" nothing to do with the estab-
cause the people have settled that o,les-
,ioii Tor themselves at the polls. ac-
vorrn,inS 10 law. Second. have no wish,
VII or desire TO interfere with n mat,
Ter Of this kind. It being purely local
ana being q Democrat. ] honestly and
entirely believe in local self-govern.
;nent and am extremely sorry that
my reverend friend has so far forgot
zen himself as to usc such means as
'his TO compass my defeat
trust the voters VIII 20 TO the .polls
ana cast their honest ballots free from
/ ~ prejudice, and according to the
dictates OF their conscienccs and nor
/ ne awaycd by such representations as
arc made in said circular.
nope you VIII pardon tho length of
] WIS but wished TO make my position
Gear Yours. very truly.
/ e. NJ. BONlFANT