The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-01-23

THE FIGHT OVER THE FRANKLIN JUDGE
sHIP C0NTiNuED; THE CHARGES PRE-
FE9RED by GENERAL EARLY AND TB0sE
IN COMMISSIONER RAuM'S LETTER FUR.
TIER DISCUSSED; WARM DEBATE: THE
DEBT-PkYERs WISH FOR AN INvEsTIGA.
TING COMMITTEE. BUT ARE REFUSED
MIR. CLAIBORNE ELECTED-THE HALIFAX
JUDGESHlP; CHARGES AGAINST THE RE.
ADJUsTER NOMINEE AND ALSO AGAINST
A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE; THE READ.
JUsTER ELECTED.
The General Assembly was in session
yesterday from noon TO s O'Clock in the
evening. The hight over the Franklin
iudgeship was continued. In this case IL
was charged by General Jubal A. Early
that Mr.. Thomas b. Claiborne, the Read
juS'er nominee, is a professional gambler {;
that he uses unfair means in that pursuit,
and has an instrument for changing
"hands,' known a. q "liZard." A letter
from Commissioner Raun', OF The United
States luterDa-Revtnue Department, had
also been presented 10 the two houses,
stating that several years sgo Dir. Claiborne
was dismissed from the position OF whiskey
gauger for presenting bogus vouchers.
The opponents OF Mr. Claiborne demand
cd that these allegations should be thor
oughly Investigated by competent tribu-
nal, and for that purpose the electOa should
be postponed. His friends insisted that
General Elrly's charges had been heard by
the caucus committee, and were not sus-
tained. and as 10 those OF Mr.. Raum that
they had produced letters and statements
showing they were wholly unf0unded.
There vas great deal Of debate on these
points and on the character Of Mr. Clai-
borne-the Debt-Payers assailing and the
ReSdjusters defending him. Finally, a
vote was reached. and Mr.. Claiborne was
elected.
Then the two houses proceeded to make
nominations for judge Of the county Of
Halifax. a petition and several letters and
telegIanIS were laid before the House charg-
ing Mr.. Armistead, the RtA0iusier nominee,
with not being qualified for the position.
4 letter from +. Bark, dale, Esq, Gather OF
the present JUDGE, was read. stating that
Mr.. Gray, ReadiuSler member from Halifax,
had deceived the caucus, aud been guilty Of
other improper acts. Mir. Gray indignantly
denied the charges against himself, and
claimed that Mr.. Armislead. the nominee, IS
Il vonng man Of good character, and is suit
able for Judge. The RCddiuster- refused to
postpone, and Mr. ArmiStead was elected.
Tie Senate.
Mr.. THURMAN moved to 90 into the exc
cution Of the joint order. Agreed to.
Mr.. WOOD presented a joint resolution
postpOnng the election for Franklin county
until Friday.
Mr.. JAMES opposed the resolution on the
hot xyh hfl
Mr.. THURMAN sent up TO the clerks desk
and bad read a paper signed by the bar OF
Franklin endorsing Judge Bernard.
Mr.. SMITH OF Nelson presented Joint
resolution for a committee Of two senators
and three delegates 10 investigate the
charges against Mr.. Claiborne, and pOstpon-
ing the election for Franklin until the 1st
OF February.
Mr.. WOOD read from a paper a card
signed by Mr. Claiborne that be would on
Friday publish a statement which would
Vindicate him fully.
MR.. DAVIS.
Mr.. DAVIS said that Mr.. Claiborne was
already clear. and there was no reason why
this election should be postponed that this
resolution was only designed TO defeat Mr..
Claiborne. aud one investigation might fol-
low another until the session closed. We
bad better accept Of the investigation al
ready had. and he bad been honOrably ac-
Quilted. lie had all along been in favor OF
putting in good men, and when there had
been any doubt about man he had favored
the pOstpOnement OF the case until the case
could be Inquired into; but IN this case the
investigation has been had, and he had been
hOnorably acquitted.
Mr. FSKRIDGE said that he was fully satiS-
fed that Mr.. Claiborne was an honest man,
and he believed the charges were ground
less. He thought it would be best to 90 on
with the election.
WANTED THE CHARGES INVESTIGATED.
Mr. HENRY, who was absent yesterday
during the discussion, addressed the Senate
at length upon the Franklin case, and
thought that the grave charges should be
investigated.
Mr.. HENRY read the charges made by
General Early. and reviewed them read
Commissioner Raums letter, and criticised
il. during which he was interrupted by Mr..
WALKER several times. So far as he (HEN-
RY) could see from the evidence he thought
Mr.. Claiborne was guilty OF the charges
brought against him, for he asked the peo-
pie to suspend judgment until be could
furnish evidence tha, is indisputable.
The discussion was warm and protracied.
Az EXPLANATION.
Mr.. RIDpLEBERGRR, who SAID he intended
TO vote for the substitute, desired to explain
his reasons for 50 doing. Yesterday ne was
ready 10 vote for Mr.. Claiborne, but he was
not to-day. Whiskey and cards NAV not
dis1ualiiy him, for If Mr.. Claiborne chose
TO shoot out "a full hand" out there in
Franklin, it would not hurt him over IN
Shenandoah. lie knew number OF Judges
in Virginia who played cards. But what
he wanted investigated was Dir. Ratlm
charge. lie cared not what Mr.. Claiborne
was when General Early kUew him, foreve-
rybodv who knows Mr.. Claiborne now says
that he is man OF fine character, ana
upon that testimony on yesterday ne
was ready 10 vote; but be e0uld
not vote for q man who had been dismissed
from the United States Government service
upon IA charge which had not been fairly
explained. he thought Mr.. Claiborne's
card demanded the p0stpOnement 1t might
be that he had reformed; il might be that
the charges Of the past did not apply now
and he wanted that proved. lie came from
section OF the country where they gave a
man a chance to reform.
awhile the lamp holds ont to burn,
The YiieSt sinner u ay re1urn.'
He continued in this liae until interrupt
ed bv Mr.. HURT.
MFR. Hurt: Mr. President, the senator
from Shenandoah is the last senator on the
floor who should preach sermon.
Mr. RIDpLsBERGER got 80 IN The habit
OF preaching funeral orations the first lew
weeks Of the session that it's hard TO get out
OF it. think preached two for the sena'
tor from Pitlsylvana. [Laughler.]
Mr. FULKERSON opposed the substitute