The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-03-13
A Slight Discrepancy.
GEN. FIELDS AND GOVERNOR HOLIDAY
DISAGREE AS TO WHO EMPLOYED BRAD
1850 To,,,,co., r,r rrJr, RTvES GASES

ley T. johnson, against whom the State OF
girginia is now prosecuting large claim
for money collected by him and not paid
over, should have deem employed to repre-.
sent Virginia in the cases OF the so-called
Rives usurpation, a communication was ad-
dress to Governor Holiday asking him if he
had appointed johnson. To this Governor
Holiday replied that he had not suggested,
appointed, requested or recommended Gen.
B. T. johnson or any one else to Gen. Field
or Judge Robertson"
This statement of Gov. Holiday was pub
lished in the Wing Of Monday, and in the
same paper of yesterday. appears long
communication from Ger. Field, in which he
denies that he employed Johnson, and goes
into the details OF the whole transaction. In
substance his statement is that the day after
the passage of the joint resolutions aushoriz-
ing the Governor to employ counsel to assist
the Attorney General in the Rives cases, the
Governor sent for him and told him that he
might select his own assistants. Gen Field
Immediately named Judge Robertson, and
the Governor fully approved Of the choice.
Whilst in the Governors room, Gen. Field
received message that Senator wanted to
see him. The mission Of the Senator was
to inform the Attorney General that john
son would like to aid the State as counsel :;
that as chairman of the committee in the
Senate he had devoted a great deal Of time
to the investigation, and could render valua-
Bile assistance and that he would charge
little or nothing for his services. Gen. Field
replied that he had already selected his as
sociate, and that, whilst he had no personal
feeling that would prevent his acting with
Gen. johnson, he had no authority to en-
ploy him. He then returned to the room,
and as he started to leave, the Governor call
edhim back. What then transpired is given
in Gen. Fields card as follows The Gov
ernor said in substance
General, what are the personal relations
between you and General johnson? Are
there any feelings of personal unkindness
between you growing out of the investiga-
ton made by you and others some time
since and the suit now pending against Gen
eral J.?" replied that [ was not conscious
of any unkind feeling on my part, AMI was
not aware of any on his.
The Governor then said that Judge lie it'll
had called that evening to see him and
urged him to employ Gen. J. as counse!, stat
ing that Gen. j. was a fine lawyer, active,
laborious and well posted upon the questions
involved. The Governor said he would like
ot1l iro Ind b,1fo Il a.
less 1t was agreeable to me. replied, that
while there was nothing in my personal re-
lations with Gen. j. to prevent, that great
ly preferred Judge R., and if only one coun-
sci was to be employed, insisted on Judge
Il. The Governor remarked that Judge
Keith said that Gen. J. would not charge
any fee for, his services, and that the reso-
luton did not limit him to one lawyer. !
replied, that if that was his construction OF
the resolution, would confer with Judge
R., and If it was as acceptable to him as it
was to me to have General ), with us, l
would invite GeneralJ. to come in.
After consultation with Judge Robertson,
who made 70 objection to the association Of
johnson, Gen'l Field addressed Genl
johnson a note in which he stated that sit
was desired" to associate him (Gen. J.) in the
conduct of the case.
Gen'l Field concludes his communication
in manner which, to say the least, places
the Governor in no enviable position. He
says
Upon the Governors suggestion and upon
what considered his desire, invited General J.
to come into the The only inducement
had Though recognizing his activity and efficien-
Z n r a
propriety of inviting General j to our conference,
and of giving the Invitation. was the supposed
surance of Judge Keith that his services would
be rendered gratuitously. Thus believing, see
nothing in my action to condemn.
Iii proper that should state that have read
this communication to the Governor; that his
memory does not accord with my own in sever
alparticulars, and as to which he thinks am mis-
taken, as his memory is very distinct. While
most cheerfully conceding to the Governor hon
esty OF purpose and truthfulness of statement O
the same extent that claim for myself, 1, with
Difference, insist upon the accuracy and distinct
ness OF my own memory and the truthfulness OF
my own Observation-Disclosures always to the frailties
of human memories; and think surrounding
as well as the reason for action
ernor shall make responsive statement I shall
myself accept it as the statement of one who de-
sires only to tell the truth.
regret to differ with the Governor. with whom
have cheerfuly co-operated, but feel it is bet
ter to differ with friend than to differ from the
truth am content to trust this statement with
a candid public.
There are some other matters of mere detail
that might be introduced into the narrative, but
they not essentia l. and it is already too long.
FRAUD ON THE GRAIN MARKETING
mentioned some time ago, that James r.
Keene, the great Spectator, had purchased
]. 100000 bushels of wheat in the West at an
average of so cents per bushel, for the pur.
pose of storing. Keene believed that wheat
was too low, and that an advance must take
place in the spring, and that wheat at so
cents per bushel was safer than specializing
n stocks on Wall street. In connection
With this, the telegraph Of the 18th gives the
account of fraud perpetrated on
he wheat market
NEW YORK, March flames r. keene,
he we'll known grain operator, stated to-
light at the Hotel Brunswick. where he is |
topping, to a reporter OF the Associated |
Press, that his name was forged last night |
Thursday to a half-rate telegraphic mes
age to j. X. Fisher & Co., grain brokers,
# Chicago. directing them to sell 3,O0O,000
bushels of wheat ON Mr.. Keene's ACCOUNT
This caused the decline in wheat in Chicago
o-day from 96 to 90 cents per bushel at the
morning aud afternoon boards. Mr.. Keene
new nothing of the transaction until this
fternoon, and he repudates the entire sale,
which will compel the re-purchase by Fisher
/ Co. of the amount sold on his account to-
lay. Mr.. Keene says he had no intention
# making any sales of grain at present,
nd certainly not at 90 cents per bushel.-
The message was sent through the Atlantic
nd Pacific Company, and, Mr.. Keene states,
vas evidently the work OF an agent in New
York OF conspiracy formed in Chicago by
,arties who were largely short on provis-
ons, and who hoped by breaking the wheat
market to cover their sales and buy largely
ong. Steps have been taken to discover
he author of the telegram. Mr.. Keene
avs suspicious are strong against what is
nown as the provision clique of Chicago
| large reward will be Immediately offered
y Mr.. Keene for the discovery of the forger
nd his associates. The original copy OF
he dispatch is now in Mr.. Keene's posses
ion.
TIMELY NoTICE.-The Richmond States
spondent, gives the follow
70 information which we transfer to our
olumns for the benefit OF those patriotic
Democrats who deserve well of their coun-
~ and their party, that they may at once
tut in their claims: