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

under the former condition OF Things, M one
time presiding justiceof the County Court
OF Franklin, and has made very excellent
and efficient Judge OF the County Court,
being universally esteemed by the bar as
wei as by the people for bis Intelligence and
sterling integrity.
He has risen from a comparatively hum
bic walk in life, and is gentleman in every
essential requisite Of The term. while the
man now proposed to I'll his place belongs
TO one OF the oldest and most noted families
in the State, and has fallen so low as not to
/ be lit associate for honest men OF any class.
j. A. EARLY.
DISMISSED PROM THE GOVERNMENT sEEvIcE.
lIr. Daniel also sent up the following,
which was read:
TREASURY DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF INTERNAL REVENUE,
WASHINGTON, January 10, 1880.
Hon. GeOrge c. CdbeH. House Of RepreSen-
tdttceS, Washington. d. g.:
Sir, r,-AcknOwledging the receipt Of
yours OF this date, desiring To know for
what reason Thomas B. CllibOrne, late
gauger in the Fifth district OF Virginia, was
dismissed from service, would say that it
Is charged that Gauger Claiborne bad pre-
sented false vouchers. The matter was iE-
yestigated aud reported upon AprH II,
1876 by Revenue-Agent william A. Ga
rett, who stated that Claiborne presented
his account for the month Of May, 1915, with
voucher for $3.50, signed Mrs. Sarah Saun-
ders ; for September. 1915, with voucher for
Sl4. signed Ssrah saunders; and for S34,
signed Mechac Griffith; for December, 1875,
with voucher for S3i, signed by
Mechac Griffith; and for February. 1876,
with voucher for S42, signed Mechac Grit
fifth. Revenue Agent Garrett enclosed atli-
dayit Of Mashack Griffith, showing that the
Griffith vouchers were all spurious; that
he never signed said vouchers. and never
authorized any one TO sign them; that he
never received the money or any part there
Of; and that be hired no horse TO said Clai-
borne during the time specified IN said
vouchers. Mr. Garrett stated that on the
llth OF April, 1876, Mr.. Claiborne admitted
10 him in the hall OF The NOryell House, at
Lynchburg, that be (Claib0rne) actually
signed the name Of Mechac Griffith (cOm-
monty called Mashack Griffith to said
vouchers; also, that he (Claiborne) signed
the name OF Sarah Saunders TO the vouchers
bearing her name. He claimed however,
that Griffith had given him power
OF attorney several wears ago 10 sign his
him to sign her name.
These are the grounds npOn which Mr..
Claiborne was dismissed from the service.
\ copy OF your letter Of inquiry is en-
closed herewith, as requested.
Very respectfully, GREEN i. RAUM,
Commissioner.
COLLECTOR RIvES'S LETTER.
Mr. James said that1there was letter
from the proper officer at Lyncbburg abSo-
utely refulng this last charge, and stating
that Mr.. Claiborne bad been honorabiy ac-
Quilted, and he read the following rs the
letter referred to:
UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE COLI
LECrOE's OFFICE, FIFTH DISTRICT.
LYNCnBURG, January -. 1880 )
Thomas b. Claiborne, Esq, richmond.
Va:
Sir,-In reply to your letter of January
10th, received this morning, | have the
honor to state that you fled afiidayits duly
sworn TO and attesled, which were in direct
contradiction to the charges referred to. !
take pleasure in stating that YOU performed
your duties as internal revenue gauger
while in the service in an acceptable man
ner 10 this office. Very respectfully,
j. II. RlvES,
Collector Fifth District OF Virginia.
A PARTISAN.
Mr.. Walker said that he knew the facts in
this case well. He thought General Early
was partisan, and bitter one, aud he
could understand why he might make the
statements. lie read number OF letters
from members OF the House, who, he said,
were also acquainted with the facts, to dis
prove the charges against Mr.. Claiborne.
Mr.. Smith Of Nelson asked Mr. Walker
If he could disprOye the fact that Mr. Clai-
borne had been dismissed from the Gov
ernment service! He desired, also, TO
know whether the fact that Mr.. Claiborne
had been dismissed from the United states
service Is a whiskey-gauger fitted HIM to 90
on the bench OF The judiciary of Virginia.
Mr.. Smith warned the Senate against the
error they were about 10 commit in electng
such man to ill the high and responsible
Office of Judge.
WHY DIDN'T TIE CASE GO INTO THE COURTS
Mr.. Walker said if Mr. Claiborne had
not vindicated himself the case would
have gone into the United States District
Court, and that was never done. He held
that Mr.. RiyeS's letter from Lynchburg
proved that there was nothing against Mr.
Claiborne. there was but one gentleman
who had alleged anything against him, and
there were any number who certified 10 his
good character. He further SAID that il Mr..
Claiborne had been guilty OF anything
wrong the grand jury OF the United States
Court would have taken up the matter.
REPUBLICANS DON'T GET INDICTED.
Mr.. Smith said Mr. Claiborne was Re
publican; and he didn't know how 1t was
IL Ngl-
ty il was very rarely the case that Repub-
lican ever is indicted, and the fact that Mr..
Claiborne was not indicted didn't signify
anything in his favor.
Mr.. Walker replied, making a general de-
nial Of the charges.
\ READJUsTER WANTS THE CASE TO GO OVER.
Mr.. Fulkcrson said be disllked to take any
part in this discussion, for he was heartily
sick OF the county-iudgeship business. He
had endeayored from the first TO give the
people Of Virginia good judges, and he did
not know that the party he represented bad
made any more mistakes than the party
which elected the judges before. He would
not give feather weight TO General Elrly's
statement in the case simply because General
Early is partisan OF the raukest kind, and he
could not arrive at fair conclusion on ac-
count OF his political preiudices. lie ad-
mIred General Early for his bravery, CHI
yalry. aud honesty, and respected him, and
he did not believe he would do any wrong
act. II the charge made by General Early
was all he would not hesitate 10 90 on with
the election, bat there was something else.
He believed that the opposite party were so
chagrined and mortified at the defeat OF
their special fayorites, and were so bitter,
that they were wiling to blacken the cha
racter OF any man that was put up.
Mr. Daniel WAS about TO interrupt Mr..