The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-03-03

rights here he was willing To pursue then
| TO the bitter end; but he was unwilling Il
place stigma on any mans name such a
this report would give Mr.. Wilkinson iron
q casual examination OF the records.
NIX. WILKINSON SURPRISED.
Mr.. Wilkinson claimed it as right to re
ply 10 some OF the statements OF the CON
mittec. lie said that nc was never moro
surprised in his life than at some OF thu
statements In the report. With one oil
two exceptions the committee were poltC
and kind. but some OF them were rude
and one actually swore in his presence,
He would have felt justified in getting NJ
and leaving them. He had tried TO xIsiir
the principles Of the institution, but pre-
judice had blinded their eyes TO the sub
ject.
There was nothing that would justify the
payment Of claims unless ii had been gath
cred in assessments. II was nothing but
body OF men united for mutual protection,
and II should have stood for centuries. All
losses have been promptly met ana all
assessments promptly paid over. III there
was any responsibility which he should
meet he stood here ready for il. He wished
TO assert that there was no just claim against
the Association that had not been met. lie
had labored to make ii Il success. and was
more deeply interested in it than any other
man i'm the world.
ABOUT AN OATH.
In replying on the part OF the commit
tee. Mr.. Stubbs said that he should attempt
to deal fairly and Justly as between man ana
man, impartially and without prejudice,
the assertion Of the president to the con-
trary Notwithstanding; and while ne may
have been surprised at the report OF the
committee. MeV lrere more surprised at the
Statement'which he had Just made. lie
could appreciate the responsibility resting
upon the president, but he had no idea that
he would have shown such feeling In the
matter The gentleman who uttered the
oath Immediately made all the amends 1t
was possible for him to make.
He had been treated with no disrespoct.
but they kept back the spirit Of amazcment
that filed their breasts when he failed to
answer certain queries. For instance,
when asked to fill a blank in their report
with the name OF claimant from New
Kent, he failed TO do so, and still failed
when asked again this morning, saying,
"Surely, | cannot remember the name"
We did not charge criminality nor ap-
proacb him filed with prejudice, but had
it not been for our respect for gray hairs
we would have wrung from him answers
to many interrOgatories that remain uneX-
planned.
The president has not cOntrovertcd a
statement made in the report, and he was
surprised 10 hear Colonel Darlington de-
Tending him. II he was night, no man Will
go TO his rescue sooner than would he, but
il he was wrong he would pursue him with
all his power. The committee was not
formed to impicate the president, but the
pollcv-holders, both living and dead, are
interested IFS report.
GROSS NEGLIGENCE.
Mr.. Stubbs took this impregnable posi-
ton that the man who received the money
gotten under false impressions was guilty,
and liable 10 the laws Of the state; and II
truths have been held back in this matter.
both the president and Board OF Directors
are responsible to the policy-hoders for
all the money that has been paid in. VIII
kinson is human. and errs a. often as the
most OF men, and has, at least, been guilty
OF gross negligence. Cannot we criticise
the acts OF our officers without arousing
their indignation! We. the polcy-holders,
say that he has committed blunders which
would not Justify us in paying assessments
had the truths been known.
stock has been transferred, we were told,
but not a scratch of pen indicates when or
to whom. Business has been loosely, negli-
gently. and grossly conducted, deceiying
the policy-holders Us to the actual condition
of tbe COMPANY. More flattering reports
than that which accompanied the January
assessment could not emanatc from any
man. Yesterday he gave reasons for the
condition Of the Association, which to-day
he has forgotten.
Here the speaker was interrupted
bv Mr.. Wilkinson, who complained OF
the personal nature OF the remarks,
adding that the only reason for the
collapse OF the institution was that MI.
StubbS and other policy-holders did not
pay their assessments. II was their dis
honesty in not complying with their con-
tracts rs stipulated in their policies.
HONESTY or MEN.
Mr.. Stubs. rcsuming, said that it was
hard TO believe that out OF 900 gentlemen
only S42 were honest. The trouble was
the want OF an honest president. He said
that he had tried to be polite and courte-
Gus. and had not used such harsh language
until the president had set the example.
He could not help rctaliating when thus
assailed. The committee regretted the
attack on them, and he felt this much was
due 10 them. They had honestly tried to
do the best they could for the old gentle
man, and stated facts as they found them.
The president had committed many blum
ders heretofore, but the one committed this
morning VIII follow him TO his last hour on
earth.
Mr.. Causey also yindicated the committee
from the attack Of the president. They
had entered fairly and honestly to work,
but were soon satisfied from the presidents
answers that they would get no information
from him which would enlighten the poll
cy-holders.
RESPONSIBILITY.
Mr.. Wilkinson said that II calling delin-
ouent policy-holders dishonest was u blum
der, he would repeat it, as he had been ad-
yised by high legal authority that they
could be made to pay all dues.
Major Nolan asked Wilkinson who
were the directors whom he had consulted
six or eight months ago, to which he re-
piled, "They were all published in my
paper" Major Nolan demanded their
names, that they might each and all be held
up to their full legal and moral response
bility.
Mr.. Stubs here remarked that il any Of
them had ever resigned the policy-hOlders
had had no notice of il.
There was much more discussion, and a
considerable degree of heat exhibited.
MATTER FOR THE COURTS.
Mr.. Wright also defended the committee
against the charge OF discourtesy, during
which he criticised the acts of the presi-
dent in several named instances. showing
that the committee had only stated facts.
Mr Wilkinson lad no douht done what