The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-01-22

that he had been dismissed from the Unite
St1tes revenue service for serious mscon
duet. Tha. Litter Mr. Payne had show
some friends OF Mr.. Claiborne, and give
them ample opportunity to withdraw him
they desired. Mr., Payne also read lette
from Green Il. Rama, Commissioner OF tb
Internal Revenue, ssating that Mr. Clai
borne was dismissed from the service il
1870 for presenting false vouchers.
Mr.. Flnney Conservative Debt-Paycr)
OF Pittsylyania, but formerly Of Frank
lin county, replied in defence OF Mr., Clai
borne. He said he knew the gentleman
well, and knew the people OF Franklin. arc
had no doubt Mr.. Claiborne was the choice
OF large majority for Judge. Mr.. Clai
borne is Republican and ReSdiuSter, il
is true. but Mr. Finney did not believe that
he was the man represented. He thought
General Early mistaken. A. for Claiborne,
dismissal from the revenue service, Mr. Fin
ney said it was an unfouuded charge, and
he had read letter from Collector Riyes. oi
the Fifth district, saying that Claiborne had
performed his duties in the revenue service
acceptably. Mr.. Finney's speech, being
warm IN defence Of Mr.. Claiborne, was ap-
plauded by the Readjusters.
1t appeared that Mr.. Claiborne, ii elected
Judge. bad pledged himself to abstain from
all card-playing hereafter.
"THE LIZARD"
Mr. Lady chairman OF the Caucus Com
mittee on Cbaracierl said that they had
made thorough investigation Of all these
charges. The gentleman referred to by
General Early said nothing OF the "Iizard y
fan instrument for cheating at cards while
stating that he regarded Claiborne as 4
gambler. Leading citizens OF the county
cIme before the committee and endorsed
Claiborne.
Mr.. Watkins, OF AppOma'toX, said that
he, a. a subcommittee, called upon Mr..
Callaway (tbe gentleman referred toy and
asked him TO come before the committee, or
to write out what he knew. He wrote Il
letter saying that he regarded Claiborne as a
gambler. Mr.. Galloway said either that be
had seen or that he had heard of Il
" lizard " left with Il blacksmith (Mr. Ham
brck) in Franklin county to be mended,
and that the blacksmith had said that it be-
lorged to Claiborne. Mr.. Watkins urged
and demanded that Mr.. Galloway should
come before the committee and tell all he
knew. or write ont the same and send 1t TO
write nothing was said about a" lizard"
WHO TAUGHT MR.. CLAIBORNE.
Mr. Bailey had understood that there was
a letter here from Mr.. Claiborne, in which
Mr.. Claiborne said General Early had
taught him how to play cards. He asked if
there wGS such a letter.
Mr. Payne said ii that was Mr. ClaibOrnt'S
Str no Mr. DaVnaA yyuS ii
by General Early to say that It was de-
liberate, wilful, and malicious faIsehood.
Sir. Lady declared that II General Early
did not teach Mr.. Claiborne to play cards,
he ut least had played cards with Claiborne
before Claiborne was OF age.
THE TESTIMONY BEFORE THE CAUCUS COMMIT
TEE.
Mr.. Lady sent the following evidence
taken before the Caucus Committee on
Character to the Clerks desk and had 1t
read:
General Edriyerdmined. Question You
say Claiborne Is unit for the position Of
county Judge. Why?
AnScer-lIe is not qualified profession
ally; be has the reputation Of being pro-
fcsSionaI gambler-a cheating, swindling
gambler.
Questionable you ever know an in
stance?
AnSrer-I never did. | don't recolect
OF ever playing cards with bim but once ;
have heard number Of persons say he did.
OueStiOn-D0 you think his residence in
Kentucky disqnalities him for the position
OF county judge?
AnSCCr-NO.
QueStiOn-YOu say he joined the Radical
party. Do YOU think this d!SqnaiteS him
AnSper-I think that northern man OF
good character. who always was a Republl-
can. may be consistently candidate, but 4
VIrginian who takes sides with that party
do not respect. His party was trying to
disfranchSe the best people OF Virginia,
and ouch: not 10 be tolerated.
QueSiiOR-Did Claiborne support the two
clauses OF the Constitution
AnSrcr-l do not know.
QueStiOn-Do you know what party he
belongs 10 now?
AaSwer-I suppose he is Republican
ana Readiuster.
Nr. Ciaiborne'S statement.-I have seen a
letter written by General Early, In winch
he charges that | am common gambler and
drunkard; have no other business; that |
was removed from Federal office, &c.
confess that | play cards and drink whiskey,
and did both with General Early before
attained the age OF maturity.
Senator JameS ramined.-QaeStion-Is
he man OF good habits and moral charac-
ter?
AnS,cer-As far rs | have ever heard, be
is. have known him since his bOyhOOd.
will ate, Mr.. Chairman, that Claiborne
has ALWAYS been considered an honest man
a man OF intelligence and honor. He was
considered q little wild, like great many
Young men. Sometimes he would take 4
social drink with his friends. | have never
OIL any occasion seen him drunk. | have
never seen him myself, that | kave any re-
collection Of, play game OF cards, though
| have heard that he could play, and Occ1-
sionally did play, game OF cards. As 20 his
family. he belongs to and has descended from
one OF the very best families in the county.
and is considered to be man OF intelligence.
honesty, and undOnbted yeraciiy. No
charges which YOU can find in any court
against Claiborne in point Of honesty and
correctness that | have ever heard o.
know him TO be very popular man, and
can say that he j. well beliked by alI par
ties. All who know him seem to appreci3s
him: have confidence in his honesty m
yeracitv. and in regard to hi| ability /,
qualifications to make county judge. Jti
generally conceded that he possesses tn
ability to make one. What he lacks OF elm
well qualified now il is generally beliey I'd h
can provide for. He was educated for
LAWYER. He states to me that be has take
out license to practice aw. Dom kuo,
that to be fact.
Question In the county 9f Frankii
what is the general opinion ef ~ aiborne-
the people generally in the eo5 nty-as I
character ana the points he is Cd arged wit
By General Early?
AnSuer-I dom know; ntr er heard; ha
GOOD character for honesty and probity {
a., a. h,ye heard il discIAs .ed C1n,t te