The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-10-24
WHERE Is WATKINS e?
Tho Sale OF Posts Mt the Penitenfiary
by Members OF the Legislature.

Mr.. James A. Watkins, Coalition mem
ber Of the House Of Delegates from A ppo-
mattox county, who was indicted in the
/ Hastings Court for selling his influence as
a member Of the Legislature in the matter
OF the appointment Of a guard at the peni-
tentiary, has not been heard from since the
true bill was brought in against him by the
grand Jury. The sheriff Of AppOmattOx
county, II seems from the return on the
process, knows little or nothing about him.
III even the officer could have served the
process upon Watkins, the offence being
mlsdemeanor, the trial could have gone on
in his absence, and the full details Of this
most fragrant violation OF law and decencv
been brought to light.
On the 23d of Jiine the full Board OF
Directors Of the neutrality-suspicious..
Wray L. Knight, X. A. Patterson, and
John Andrews-repOrted to the Governor
that after fair investigation they had dis
covered that five persons then serving "a
members Of the guard had procured their
places by paying to members OF the Gene
raj Assembly sums OF money (ranging from
800 to 5000, and in one case the bargain
and sale was put in writing, which "con-
tract" or copy thereof, the Board placed
in the hands OF the Governor along with
their report. The Board also reported that
in the course OF their investigations the
superintendent had used discourteous Ian
guage in the hearing OF the Board.
In all the cases the men who purchased
came before the Board and told all they
knew OF the transactions.
The posts or positions sold were such rs
were assigned to the members Of the Re
adiuster party by the party caucus, or its
committee, better known a. the Committee
on SpOils.
On October the Gth-the report Of the
Board was dated June 23d-the Governor
gave the papers in the ease to the Com
monwcalth'S Attorney, and at once the fol-
lowing indictment was found:
I'rginia- In the Hastings CouTt Of the ciy
Of Eichmond, city Of RichmOnd-tO rit:
The grand jurors OF the Commonwealth.
for the body OF the city OF Richmond, on
their oaths present that james A. Watkins,
within twelve months last past. at the said
city and within the jurisdiction Of the said
Hastings Court OF the city OF Richmond,
being then and there Il duly-elccted and
qualified member OF the Generally Assembly
Of Virginia. and as such, whilst in attend
ancc upon the sessions Of the said General
Assembly. unlawfully, wilfully, and cor
ruptly did take and receive from one T.. ;.
Brittingham a certain sum OF mOney-tO
wit, the sum of ninety dollars-as COM
pcnsaton and reward for the Use Of the
influence OF him the said James 4. Wat
kins, as a member Of the said General As
scmbly OF Virginia, in procuring for the
said y. :. Brittrgham the appointment Is
guard at the penitcntiary Of the State OF
Virginia, the said position being an office
OF public trust, against the peace and dig
nit; OF the commonwealth.
l.. :. Biittingham, j. Il. Tudor, John l..
Powers, Bolivar Ward, Robert CHM,
witnesses sworr and sent by the Court
to the grand jury TO give evidence.
ANDREW JGNEINS, Clerk.
Watkins was no more guilty than half Il
dozen other Coalition members Of the Lc-
gi>lature. but his case was selected as be-
ing one Of the clcarcSt, though all were
clear enough to warrant Mcssrs. knight,
Patterson, and Andrews in making a very
positive report to the Governor.
Watkins having had four or five months
notice, and having, it is TO be presumed,
carefully watched his interests all that time,
left the State about the day the indictment
was found. He was last seen in Richmond.
1t will he a cause Of general regret to the
Virginia people that justice has 80 far mis-
carried. However, in the end all the facts
will come ont and public opinion will visit
It's Stcrnc,t condemnation upon the MEN,
bers who sold their influence, rs well rs
upon whatever officers OF government ap-
proved or permitted the same.