The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-03-17
LETTER FROM JUDGE JAMES KEITH.

10 the Public:
In response to the request OF Governor
Holiday / make the following statement:
AS nv communications to the Whig OF
date March 18th was designed merely 10
correct an error into which that journal bad
fallen with reference to General JohnSon'S
employment as associate counsel in connec-
ton with tie Acknowledgement and Judge
Robertson in the proceedings contemplated
bv the State to test the legality OF the action
of Judge RiveS. I confined myself 10 the
statement OF such facts as seemed pertinent
to that particular matter. and did not give,
or undertake to give, a detailed account OF
all that transpired between the Governor
and myself ut the interview between us on
March |, 1879. This Inow propose briefly
10 do.
Every winter for the past ten years
have come to Richmond on visit OF ten
DAYS or two weeks 10 nv friend and rea-
tive, Mr.. William l.. Royal. When the
Joint resolutions relative to the Rlvcs mat
ter were introduced into the Legislature |
was in Richmond on my annual visit TO Mr..
Royal. We are both very warm and init
mate friends OF General Johnson. Upon
| their introduction it was suggested between
| Mr.. Royal and myself Il cannot recollect
certainly by which) that General Johnson
ought TO be appointed under them as coun-
| sci for the State. We both agreed that this
ought to be done. We both came to this
conclusion for the reason that both thought
| him eminently qualified for the service; and
we thought him entitled to it because he
had spent great labor and much time in en-.
deavoring to arouse public attention to the
! importance Of the occasion, and because
the report which he had written as chair
man OF the Senate committee on the SUBJ
iect, we both thought most compre-
hensivc and mastery document. We there
fore determined to do whatever it might be
proper for friends OF his to co, acting en-
tirely outside OF any suggestion or co0pe-
ration Oh his part, to secure his appoint
ment.
In pursuance OF our purpose visited the
Governor on the day above named. open
ed the conversation by stating the object or
my visit; expressed my views rs to Gene
raj ,Johnson'S capacity and Illness 1or the
posiiiop. The Governor replied Dv gene
raj acuuiescencc in what [ had said, ana
then remarked that in discharging his du-
ties under the act he would be guided 10y
the choice Of the Attorncy-General; that
in compliance with the wish OF the Attor-
ney-Gcncral Judge W. j. Robertson had
already been selected. g..
then remarked that the oct did not limit
tbe number OF counsel to be employed, ana
that I felt satisfied that General .jonnsoh
would greatly strengthen the case. nc
Governor replied that it would increase tue
expenses. My answer was that IN Il matter
OF such gravity that consideration ouSht
not to prevail, and that Would unoellahe
TO say that the expenses should NOT De III,
creased by the employment OF Heueia'
Johnson. Governor Holiday had very 'ltI'e
to say during the interview. lie eNpresseu
himself in very pleasant manner apouC
General johnson and as the governor was
evidently very much engaged, p1ue nili
GOOD morning. The impression made upon
INV mind was that while the Governor en-
tcrtained a good opinion OF and kindly reel-
inos towards General johnson, he felt con-
str,ned by official courtesy to defer to the
wishes OF the Attorney-General, ana inc
whole matter was with him. On leaving
his office, or rather that of the Secretary OF
tho ('ommonwealtb, lwent down stairs, ana
mot Mr.. Royall near the door OF the Senate
ch.mber. told him what had occurred
and he then agreed with me that the
Cnvernor was right in the matter,
and be said lie would see certain
senator who he thought would speak u
the Attorney.G General about the Elaiter
Tbis was done. The senator alludeo le
a;thar tua saxy or wrote to the Attorney. Gene
rnl l and in very little while Mr.. Royal
told me that be had been informed that lht
eS association int would be agreeable to the Attor
nov General. / heard nothing more OF luz
matter until my return to General John
sons house late that evening, when learn
ed that he Lad received the note from th'
Attorney. General, which has already oeei
n,,hlishsd. and that 10 compliance with In
renuest therein contained General johnson
had been ia eeusultatIoa with the elae