The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-03-27
NO. 81.

Judge Robertson and myself as counsel in the
Judge Robertson and myself would like to see you
at my office at 5 O'Clock this evening. Can you
A o'clock our was hsd GENERAL
Johnson participating. 1t lasted until II o'clock
I agreed npon. The next day called to see the
Cover nor, informed him OF Judge Robertson's &C.
ceptance, Of our conference that Gen. johnson
Judge Robertson and General Johnson have been
!aboring in the case. said nothing to either Of
asked me anything about it. + regarded both as
counsel with me, and preferred to look opon them
Judge Robertson would be entitled 10 ask the
, LEGISLATURE to compensate him, Gen. Johnson Ut
er ask for any compensation iI.s
Since the two gentlemen nave been aiding me.
the Governor has been kept advised OF. what we
are doing He was as fully aware of Gen. John
sons connection with the case as OF Judge Ro-
bertson's; Upon my recommendation, the Gov
Upon the Governors suggestion and upon what
n considered his desire. I invited Gen. johnson
n to come into the case. The only indncement
had Though recognizing his activity and ef1cien-
, cy as lawyer for suggesting to Judge Robert
N conference, and of giving the invts ton, the
supposed wishes of the Governor, he acting upon
would be rendered gratuitously. Thus believing,
see nothing in my action to condemn.
1t is proper that should state that have read
this communication to the Governor; that his
memory does not accord with my own In several
particulars, and as to which he thinks am mis-
|
most cheerfully conceding to the Governors hon
esty OF purpose and truthfuness OF statement to
Difference, insist upon the accuracy and distinct
ness of my own memory and truthfulness OF my
p
cumstances as well as the reason for action, all
tend to confirm my statement II the governor
| shall make responsive statement shall myself
accept it as the statement OF one who desires to
| tell only the truth. y s' s..'-.s9---
regret to differ with the Governor, with whom
have SO cheerfulIy co-operated but feel 1t is
better to differ with a friend than to differ from
| the truth am content to trust this statement
with candid public. ~ i-t.y2'54 -
| There are some other matters of mere detail
that might be introduced into the narrative. but
they not essential, and it is already too long.
| Very truly, JAMES G.. FIELD.
GEN. JOHNSON TO GEN. FIELDS. $3.50"
I--. RICHMOND, VA, NJ arch 18TH, 1879.
| Gen. James G. Field, Attorney General:
Dear Sir,-When received your note OIL the lst
70 20 Ge M @ mar
derstood that the invitation was extended by au-
thority OF the Governor and It was accepted BY
were in the case on the same footing;
| 1t appears by your letter published this morn
| ing that the Governorsuggestedo or reqnestedyou
to associate me with you, partly to obl1ge very
| dear friend of mine and partly because such en-
poyment would be without cost to the State, and
| THE only inducement you had for suggestingto
| Judge Robertson the propriety OF uniting Gener-
| al johnson to our conference was the supposed
| wishes of the Governor, he acting upon the as
| surance of Judge Keith that his services would
| be rendered gratuitously'' No one was authori-
| zed in any way to say or intimate suggest that
| [ would act without fee No one was requested.
| desired invited or moved by me, to recommend
my appointment to the Governor or Attorney
General, or any one else The movement was
voluntary one by my friends. and never commu-
nicated to me until after it was determined on,
| when was asked if it would be agreeable to me-
Having offered the resolution providing for the
felt bound to decline compensation when tender
ed, on that ground alone but that was matter
solely for myself and not for the cons1deratloh OF
the Governor or you. Uader these circumstances
1 find ample Justification for excusing myself
from any further participation in the Rives case
Thanklng YOU for your in this matter
GEN. FIELD s RESPONSE.
Gen. B. r. JohnSon: ~ ... .s...... .... -
Dear sir,-Your letter of the 18th inst, "excus-
ing yourself from any further participation in
the Rves case, as COUNSEL" is received.
After the Governors published disavowal OF
my authority for could have no authority but
from him) to invite you into the cases as counsel,
I cannot say that your letter Of withdrawal took
me at all by surprise. , W.,
beg now TO assure you of my profound thanks
for the able active, and efficient aid rendered by
vice. The very Great ability displayed BY you as
chairman of the Senate committee for the Rives
cat ws 1y IN og
me- Your declared readiness to perform any
work, and to go anywhere at my solicitation. en-
titles you to. and I hereby tender without meas
use, my grateful thanks.
X The form of petition prepared by you at my re-
II 1uest, for hGbedS corpus to be used in the cases
of the indicted judges, connects you with this lit
tgation, destined 70 become, if it is already
\
l United States. trust that you will accept, asI
I shall ever regard this petition, which will be
has already been issued) as fitting memorial OF
your services in the cause of Virginia in this her
last, and I believe her greatest wrong and out
I Ido not know that it will ever be in my power
to reciprocate the valuable aid you have render
ed me (for now desire to accept it as PERSONAL,
but should opportunity ever offer (unleSs Ibe-
come oblivious to the instincts that now animate
mel that opportunity will not fail Of improve
ment.
Expressing my deepest regret that have been,
even unwittingy, the instrument Of causing you
to occupy, even for short time, position
delicate as to make it painful am. very sincere
| y and truly, JAMES g. FIELD. ~
LETTER FROM JUDGE JAMES KEITH.
To the Public: +.-' s.. FL.
In response to the request of Governor Holli-
day make the following statement:
AS my communication to the Wing OF date Mar.
18TH was designed merely to correct an error into
which that journal had fallen with reference to
General Johnsons employment as associate coun-
sci in connection with the Attorney General and
ted BY the State to test the legality of the action
| of Judge Rives. confined myself to the statement
| lar matter, and did not give undertake to give
detailed account OF al that TRANSFERRED between
! March l, 1879. This now propose to brief
! ly do. .4 4 .ll4.
| Every winter for the past ten years have come
| to Richmond on visit OF ten days or two weeks
to Iny friend and relative, Mr. William L. Royal.
When tn e joint resolutions relative to the Rives
| matter were introduced into the Legislature, I
| Was in Richmond or my annual visit to Mr.. Roy
| ILL., We are both very warm and intimate friends
| was suggested between Mr.. Royal and myself II
:annot recollect certainly by which) that General
counsel for The State, We both agreed that this
ought to he done. We both came to this conclu-
| gently qualified for the service and we thought
aim entitled TO it because he had spent great la
ic attention to the Importance II the occasion,
| aud because the report which he had written as
Lery document We therefore determined to do
whatever it might be proper for friends Of his to
\ do, acting entirely outside OF any suggestion
cooperation on his part, to secure his appoint
ment.
| conversation by stating the object of my visit;
| expressed my views to Gen. Johnson's capaci-
| ty and fitness for the position. The Governor re-
piled by general acquiescence in what had
duties sur Under the act he would be guided by the
choice OF the Acknowledgement that in compli-
ance with the wish OF the Attorney General Judge
| W. j. Robertson had already been selected.
then remarked that the act did not limit the
mum Der OF counsel to be employed and that 1eiG
satisfied that General johnson would greatly
strengthen the case. The Governor replied that
that in matter Of such gravity that considera-
ton ought not to prevail and that would under
creased by the employment Of General johnson.
| Governor Holiday had very little to say during
the interview. He expressed himself III very
the Governor was evidently very much engaged,
| babe him good morning The Impression made
upon my mind was that while the Governor en-
tertained good opinion of and kindly feelings
towards General Johnson, he felt constrained by
official courtesy to defer to the wishes OF the At
torney- General, and the whole matter was with
him On leaving his Office, rather that OF the
Secretary of the Commonwealth, went down
stairs, and met Mr.. Royal near the door of the
Senate chamber. told him what had occurred,
and he then agreed with me that the Governor
was right in the NATTER and he said he would
| see certain senator who he thought would speak
to the Att rney-GeneraI about the matter. This
| was done. The senator alluded to either saw or
| wrote to the Attorney General, and in very lit
tie while Mr.. Royal told me that he had been in
formed that the association would be agreeable to
the Attorney General. l heard nothing more of
| the matter until my return TO General Johnson's
| house late that evening, whenI learned that he
had received the note rom the Attorney General,
which has already been published. and that in
compliance with the request therein contained
Gen johnson had been in consultation with the
other counsel desire here to reiterate for the
| information CT those who may not have seen my
: communication to the Wing. above referred to.
, that in this matter Mr.. Royal and myself acted
on our own responsibility; that Gen. Johnson
never knew that intended to go to the Govern
or, and that in saying General Johnson's employ
ment would not entail additional expense, acted
without the knowledge OF and without authority
from General Johnson. 1t was a liberty took
n with him as warm personal FRIEND feeling well
/ ass ured that he would sanction my act. I wish
&I.-