Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-03-30
AN OFFICER OF THE LEGISLATURE
ARRESTED.

COL. C. T. CRITTENDEN CHARGED WITH
FORGING MEMBERS WARRANTS FOR
PAY-A COMMIT EE OF THE HOUSE IN
vESTIGATE AND RECOMMEND HIS sUs-
PENsION-HIs ARREST BY THE CIVIL
AUTHORITIES.
&C., &C., &C.
On comparing the pay book Of the
House of Delegates with the warrants is
sued by the Auditor last Saturday, it was
discovered that the warrants for the pay
Of delegates Arthur and Poindexter had
been changed from days to Is days by
the insertion of the figure l and that $78
instead of SIS had been drawn on them by
Col. q. T. Crittenden, door keeper of the
House, who draws the pay for members,
and that he had only given the gentlemen
named SIS. These facts ere notified to
Hon Marshall Hanger, the Speaker, who
summoned the committee on Rules imme-
diately, and the matter was investigated
Nothing could be fouad to relieve Critten-
len, though he declared his innocence and
declined to fly from the city as advised by
some of his friends They reported res
,Intion suspending him from office. He
offered to make the amount lost to the
State $120 good, but declared that it was
put up job to get him into trouble.
The "Whig" says:
Colonel. Crittenden, Sunday morning
visited the office of Mr.. William J. Bigger
the assistant clerk of the House, and by
his permission looked over the book in
which that officer keeps members accounts
in the hope, doubtless, of finding some en-
TOT which would benefit him.
HIS ARREST.
After thorough examination of the ac-
counts of the members, he remarked that
everything was correct. After disposing
of that matter, Colonel Crittenden left the
Capitol, going out by the gate opening on
Tenth and Bank streets. When he reached
that point he was arrested by Sergeant
Daniel Wren, who WAS uttlred In citizen s
dress. Colonel Crittenden was at once
carried to the First station-house, from
which place he telegraphed to the Second
station house to Capt. Thomas White, re-
questing Police-Justice White to come to
him. with a view OF granting him bail.
The request was complied with, but the
Justice dec ined to grant bail in the case.
AS soon as it was known that Colonel Crit
tenden was arrested, he was visited at the
station house by large number OF his
friends of the Legislature and others, to
all of whom he spoke in cheerful man
ner, stating that although the affair had
! assumed q most unpleasant shape he was
innocent, and hoped that he could esta blish
it. Many of the friends Of the accused
chided him for not fleeing as soon as the
matter leaked out, but he'did not express
any regret at not doing so.
BEFORE THE POLICE COURT.
Col. Crittenden, accompanied by his
counsel Judge W. w. Crump, John S.
Wise, Senator Daniel A. Glimsley from
Culpeper, Muscoe Spotswood, ard John A
McCaulD, was before the Police Court Mon
day morning. He was bright and cheerful,
and remained in front Of The door Of the
court. in charge Of Sergeant Wren, until
his case was called.
The warrant upon which Crittenden W as
arrested reads:
&c. L. Cflttenden did, during the month
of january, 1877, unlawfully and feloni-
ousy forge, utter, and attempt to empl y
as true certain paper purporting to be a
certificate of j. Bell Bigger, clerk of the
House of Representatives OF Virginia, Oil
tie Auditor OF the State for thirteen days
pay Vi u. IL AlLuul3 EISnDCl VI GilC
House, amounting TO SIS, with intent to
defraud, tie well knowing the same to he a
forgery"
TIE warrant in the case Of Poindexter
! is exactly the same except his name is
used ills cad of Arthur'S.
After consultation for some time Judge
Cruinp, Of counsel for the accused, stated
( thai as they had such a brit time i'll which
| to prepare themselves to answer it, and as
! it was one thai would require an eXatnin5-
! ton Of a number Of books and papers,
| they would waive an investigation, espec-
| tally as the Hastings Court now meets Oh
| Monday next. The motion Was granted
and the accused remanded to Jail, where
| yesterday he was visited by a large number
| of hiS.friendS.
| Col. Crlttenden had attached as large a
| circle of warm friends to him probably as
ANY officer that WAS ever connected with
| tie Legislature, upon whom these grave
| and serious charges against him have come
| like a thunderboIt, and all, notWith stands
| ing the accum ulating evidence. are anxious
| and ready to assert his innocence.
Col. Crittenden Was very poplil ar witt
the members of both houses, and particu-
larly the House OF Delegates, He has been
first doorkeeper of the House for eight
years. At the last session he ran for the
| position Of sergeant-at- farms, but WAS de-
feated 10y Gen. Hill. During the summer,
for one OF two years past, he has been con-
nected with the White Sulphur Springs.
He was lieutenant colonel in the 18th,
Virginia regiment Gen. Smiths brigade,
G. S. A.. during the war, and Was a brave
soldier.
Colonel Crittenden is native of Cul
pepper and is q idower, and has son at
the Fauquier Military Iustitue. He was
prominently spoken OF as "a Conservative
candidate for United States MARSHAL OF the
Eastern Dlsti let Of Virginia.
The forgery took place in the month of
January, and The Two delegates had no
suspicion whatever that anything was
wrong, although it would have been iney i
tably discovered before the close of the
session, when they went to draw the bal
ance Of their per diem.