Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1879-03-13

KIDD FEELINGS to NE | had nevcE seen sny
evidence of it. He said that General
johnson would Ike to aid the State as
counsel that as chairman Of the commit:
tee 10 the Senate he had devoted great deal
of time to the investigation OF tho questions io-
volved aud that be thought be could render
valuable sssis!a1ca and besides, said the Sen
etcr. he will charge little or nothing Ter his
services. replied that | greatly preferred,
| aud hsd selected Judge +. as ny associate, aGd
did not suppose that should have moro than
one. That while | had 20 personal feelings
| that would prevent my acting with General j.r
| that had 20 authority to associate him With
me. returned to the office Of tho Governor
and very soon started to leave iGr my ctl:@.
| The Governor followed ne from his table 10
the window Oh the cast side ard near the door,
and said, 10 substance, as follows: "Genera!,
what are the personal relations between you aud
| General johnson? Are there any feelings OF
personal unkindness between you growing cus
of the Investigation made by ycu and Others
against General J?' Ireplied that | Vas not
conscious of any unkind feeling On ny part,
and was not aware OF aDy on bis.
| The Governor then said that Judge Keith
| had called that evening to sec him ADD urged
him to employ General j. as counsel, stating
that General j. was fioo lawyer, active, "a
borious aad vel! posted upon the questions IN
yolyed, The Governor said ho would like TO
obliee judge X, bus could not do so unless i;
was agreeable to me. l replied, that while
there vas nothing in my personal relations With
General j. to prevent, that greatly preferred
Judge r.; and il only one counsel was to be
employed, Insisted Oh Judge Il. The Cover
cor remarked that Judge Keith said that Ger.
johnson would not charge any fee for his SET
VICES, and that the resolution did not limit Tim
to one lawyer. l replied, that it that YES his
construction of the resolution, would coricr
with Judge R., and if it vas as acceptable to
him as it was to me to have Gen, j. with Us, L
would invite Gen. j. to come ia.
Iweut Immediately from tho Governor othc'
to the Schater bulldog, where found judge H.,
in the cfice of Mr. Wickham. | stated to hin
that the object OF my visit waste secure his ser,
vices 10 the RiVes cases, and stated to him ell
that bad occurred at tho Governors Office 10
relation to the selection Of counsel. Tho Judge
| with characteristic naodestv) said that in the
course Of his practice he had not 6sen thrown
upon the line of controversy involved IN inc
case. and did not feel that ne Tas in position TO
render to tho State that efficient service n the
particular line of controversy, and thought
that had better select some ono e!se; thank
ing me for tho compliment and personal
kindness shown him in my offer TO employ
him. I insisted that he should not decline,
but consider the matter for while aa1 let me
know the result He said he would do so, and
call st nv cfica within 81 -Four. / thon told
him all that had passed bstween tho Governor
; and myself in connection with Con. johnson.
judge Robertson called promptly 81 my o.
fee, and ssid that though he wss sincere in
doubling his ability to render cs efficient ser.
vice IS the State ought to have, &c: he regarded
it u. csll made by his State which he could not
disobey, and that he called TO assure ne q his
| acceptance and readiness to rondor any service
in his power. he then appointed 2 conference
for o'clock that evening 8! my cttiie. l. then
asked what he thought about inviting General
: johnson. Ho agreed fully with rue that, under
tho circumstances, he should BE- invited. ia
mediatoly wrote the following le!ter, when ap-
pesrod in yesterdays State:
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA,
ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE,
Richmond, march,, 1879.
Gen. B. 4. Johnsom: -,
Dear Sir--It is desired 10 associate you With
Judge Robertson ard my;olt as counsel IN Toe
cases growing out of the Rives usurpa!ion, and
Judge Robertson and myself would like 10 SEQ
you OF my Office at O'Clock this evening. Cpn
JAMES G. FIELD.
At s o'clock cur conference was held. Gsue:al
johnson participating It lasted until ii O'clock
D. m. Our limo Of seton was consid9'cd ana
agreed upon. The next day called to SEQ tho
Governor, informed him Of Judge Robertson 5
acceptance of our conference that Sener@i ) Gnn-
SON WAS invited 10, and did Etterd. Since then
both Judge r. and Gar. j. have been lsaor!ns
in the case. l ssid nothing TO other oil them
about their pay or compensation. Neither asked
me any thing about it. l regarded both as coua-
sol with me- and preferred to look upon them IN
the same light, with this exception, that while
Judge would be entitled 10 ask tho Legisla-
turo 10 compensate him, Gen. j. iii his friends
represented him correctly wouic never ask for
any compensation,
Since the two gentlemen have been siding
me, the Governor has been kept advised ct What
We sre doing. 10 was ss fully aware Of Gen.
Johngon's connection with the case as of Judge
Robertson s.-Upon my recommendation, tie
Governor authorized me to employ Judge Rob.
ertson. Upon the Governors suggestion, ard
upon what l considered his desire. invited
Gen. j. 10 come into the SO Tho only INDUCE
ment had Chough recognizing his activity and
efficiency as a lawyer for suggesting 10 Judge
T. the proprety ofinviting General D. to cur
conference. aud giving tho invitation, WAS the
supposed wishes OF the Governor he scling upon
the assurance of Judge Keith that his services
would be rendered gratulously. Thus De!IoV-
Ing, sce nothing in ny ACTION to condemn
1t is proper that should state tha. have road
this communication TO the Governor; thst his
memory does not accord with my own IN sever
al particulars. and as 10 which he thinks an
mistaken as his memory is very distinct w bic
most cheslfllly conceding to the Governors
honesty of purpose and tru:hfulness OF s!.te-
ment to the same extent that claim for mySe!t,
I, with Difference, insist upon tho accuracy and
dialiuctness Of my own memory and the truth
funess Of my own ststement subject always to
the frailties of human memory; and think
surrounding circumstances, as we'll as the reason
for action, sll tend to confirm my statement. If
the Governor shall make q responsive stste.
ment shall myself accept it as the sts!oment Of
one who desires 10 tell OILY tho truth.
| ~ 6iTsr viii tho GOCarn0r with
whom havo so cheerfully co operated, but feel
| it is better to differ with friend than 10
differ from The truth. am content to tcust this
statement with candid public.
! There are some other matters OF. nero detail
that might be introduced into the nsrrstive. but
they are not essential, and it is already too long.
| Very truly, JAS. y. FIELD.
The WO0dlaWn Agricultural Society.
Reported for the Alexandria Gazette.
The regular monthly meeting OF this Society
| was held on the Sth instant, at tho house Ct
John Baenger, with President Gi!llsghsm 10
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