Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1879-03-13
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, J
ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE. :

| RICHMOND, March III, 1919. }
| 10 Tie editor ofthc Wing:
Upon my return from Washington last night.
| End there has been much discussion and talk
| about Gen. 3. Il. Johnson q appearing as as.
sociate counsel, Oh behalf Of the State, in tho
ltiyes imbrcgiio. In your paper of Monday
last there are severa! paragraphs upon the sub.
ject, with quotations from TWO letters from the
Governor, dated 9th and 7th March. 10 tho
State Of last evening my hssty note to General
Johnston, inviting him 10 conference with
Judge Robertson and myself, at my Office, is
published. very much regret that this dis
cussiou has arisen. and should not add word
or line to it but from sense of duty, and 10
Justice to al! parties and in vindication Of tho
truth. LET justice DO done though the heaV.
ems fall" If tie appearance Of Gen. johnson
10 the great eight which Virginia is now max.
Ing for constitutional liberty is cause for cruci-
flying any one, let the maietactor bear the cross.
submit tho following statement as substap-
italy true. Its details orc true to the extent
that the imperfections Of human memory en-.
able ne to rCc,ll what WAS said and done somo
week or more ago:
The day after tbs passage Of the joint reso.
lutious authorizing the Gov arpor to employ
counsel to assist tho Attorney General 10 de.
Tending the Judges indicted by the United
States Court at DanvilIe, and to protect the in-
terest of the State in all matters growing out
OF the alleged usuTpgtien 90 the part of Judge
Rivea. the Governor sent for me. l won't TO
his Office. He called my attention to the fact
that the resolutions had passed. and very cour.
teously and generously said, that as tho subject
matter related more directly to ny department,
he proposed to leave tho selection OF counsel to
myself. | thu0ked him for tho consideration.
aud told him that if the privilege OF selecting
counsel was accorded to me. that tho selection
was already madc-that Judge William |.
Robertson, ct Charlottesville, was my choice.
My selection Of Judge Robertson wasinhuerced
by long ACC 1aiutauoe, close and intimate person.
al and professional relations. and largo admra-
ton for bis learning md ability Gs lawyer aud
advocate, aud his devotion to his State. The
Governor promptly responded that better
selection could rot have been made. Gnd that
be would eheerfuy make the appointments
He, however, said that be had been thinking
about the policy Of employing counsel beyond
the limits OF Virginia moro Intimately connect.
cd with the practice of the Supreme court and
connected with the dominant political party.
In response to this suggestion, said, in SUBJ
stance, that I perferred Judge R. for various
reasons, ard among them, that my opportunl
ties for couferegc, with him would be more
frequent, end such conferences less restrained.
That portion, at least, OF the service would
have to be rendered here 10 Virginia, and that
foreign lawyers would not Como for conference or
duty 10 the State; and besides. [ said, that such
foreign lawyers would expect fee of from
$4,000 to $4,000, and We did not have the
money to pay. The Governor conceded the
force of these reasons, and said that be was
entirely sati:fsd to associate Judge K. with
me; but said it was matter of deepest interest
to the State, and asked me if had any objeo.
ton to confer with the chairmen of tho com.
mittees of Courts of Justice in the Senate and
House. I replied, none in the world. That
would be pleased'to have such conference.-
He sent for those gentlemen; the matter was
talked over freely, Dad the result was that for
the present, Judge r. should be associated with
me; and If in the progress Of tho controversy |
Judge R. and myself should reach the conclu |
sion that the interest of the State demanded |
the employment of other counsel, then We
should report to the Governor aud be would |
act 10 the premises. Another subject was dis.
cusssd which it is not necessary to refer to-
While 10 the Governors room, l received
message that senator wanted TO see me for
few moments Il will not give his nane as 1t is not
nee .ssarg.) | went cus to see him. He asked
me what my personal relations were with Gen.
Johnson. replied that General johnson and
myself had, since our acquaintance. uniformly
extended to each other the courtesies of social
intercourse; that had no unkind feeling for,