The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-02-03

the vacancy. Agreed to. The Chair APP
pointed Mr.. Webb. The committee, there
fore, consists OF Messrs. Berry, Lybrook,
Walker, Stevens, and Webb-four Read
justers and one Democrat.
Later on Mr.. Newberry offered the fol-
lowing:
Whereas a committee has been appointed
by the Senate 10 investigate into rum0rS
said TO be I'm existence affecting one OF its
officers: and whereas said rlmors relate
rs well to the last session Of the Legislature
as TO this, ii j. deemed proper TO enlarge
the scope OF such inquiry; therefore
ReS0iUcd, That the said committee be au-
thOriZed and instructed TO inquire into any
matters which may be brought TO their at
tention affecting any member or officer Of
this body or any Terson who has been
elected TO any Office or position by the Gen
eral Assembly at either the present session
or the session of 1S79-'S0. said committee
shal! have power to send for persons and
papers.
Mr.. Eslridge offered the following as a
substitute:
ReSOlced. That an investigating commit
tee OF five be appointed by the President
OF the Senate. whose duty it shall be tO'in-
qIlire into amy charges that may be pre-
fCTed against any officer or officers, Il
member or members, OF this body. CON-
mittcd during the session OF the General
Assembly Of 1S79-'S0. and are hereby en-
powered TO bring before them persons and
papers.
ALLEGED ATTEMPT At BRIBERY.
Before Mr.. Eskridce put in his subSti-
tute Mr.. Riddleberger opposed the resolu-
ton. The investigation called for by him
was specific. and he had furnished the
chairman with list OF witnesses. lie
should not oppose another committee. but
the committee appointed for special duty
should not be encumbcrcd with this work.
In the course of his remarks Mr. Riddle
berger declared that he meant to prOycthat
an officer Of the Senate was used by an Off
Ger OF the government rs his bribc-agent:
that another was solicited to take such a
position: that two men Were brought here
from not very distant county, the one to
be manager and the other TO be financial
agent OF that officer; that that officer intro
duccd his agent 10 member OF the General
Assembly, and that that agent offered him
81 ,0G0 10 vote for 4 certain man.
"HDDEN HAND"
The resolution was advocated by NcSSrs.
Thurman and NeWberTy, who showed how
vague and indefinite Mr.. Riddlcbergcr had
chosen TO make his resolution. and how ap-
prOpriately this new work could be done by
the same committee.
Mr.. Riddlcberger asked that the substitute
should be adopted, as Mr.. Newberry had in
Sinuated that perhaps he 1.-THE member from
Shenandoah was the party TO be inYcsti-
gated. He cOurted such IN investigation,
and hoped Il special committee would be
appointed, with MIR. Newbcrry as chair
man.
MIR. Bailey saw in this movement "a hid
den hand and that hand not that of
member Of this body. He favored the sub
stitute, and thought it was due to Mr.. Rid
deberger that it should be adopted.
Mr.. NEwBERRY'S POSITION.
Mr.. Newberry replied with his usual
warmth. claiming that not one single rea-
son had been given why one committee
should not be charged with the whole in
veStigation. Mr.. Newbeny said that he
had made no inSinuations against Mr.. Rid
dlcberger.
Mr.. ESkridge spoke for his substitute.
Mr.. Christian thought one committee
enough, and, if he could, would make that
committee standing committee for the
remainder of the session.
DENUNCIATION.
Mr., Riddleberger spoke of the attempt
"tO smother up" a specified investigation.
He understood Mr.. Newberry to admit
that he had no specific charges; that he
was only looking out for developments.
Until member has something to allege. il
70 fI..l s..f..
veStigation. He, too, spoke OF the hidden
hand. who felt conscious OF guilt. and
would bespatter the character OF others.
Mr.. Riddlebcrger denounced with great
SeveTiIy-but without calling the name
the person whom he suspected OF being
behind the scene in al this matter.
Mr.. Massey was in the chamber at the
time. and the general conclusion was that
he referred to him.
MR.. LYBEOOK DECLINES.
Mr.. Lybrook thought i'm view OF the
trouble that has occurred here that he
ought not 70 be a member OF the commit
tee. He claimed advantage OF the prece-
dent set by Mr.. Riddlebcrger, and asked TO
be allowed 10 retire from it. Besides. il
might be that he was one OF the parties
aimed at i'm the investigation. He asked to
be relieved, and that some one OF his party
be placed on the committee in his stead
Ruled out OF order.
Mr.. Eskridge: What party does the gen
tleman belong to now!
Mr.. Lybrook: think that Il very foolish
question [laughterl, but | will answer it.
Except three, | am the best Readiuster on
this floor. for the reason that | am looking
10 ~. int Of hn g.. . L..
interest of those who want to get Office.
In concluding Mr.. Lybrook said that he
would vote for the resolution OF Mr.. New
berry. II il was not carried he would vote
for the other.
80 NEW MIDDLE WANTED.
Mr.. Hurt gave many reasons why the
original resolution should be adopted. One
was that il the substitute were adopted il
might raise the same old question OF how
the committee should be appointed, and
after what has occurred he should hate to
see il. Mr.. Hurts remarks indicated that
he did not expect much good to come out
OF these Investigations.
Mr.. mDDLEBERGER WILL CARRY IT To THE
HOUSE.
Mr.. Riddleberger said he saw the drift OF
things 80 clearly that he would abandon all
opposition 10 this matter here and get the
House to act, so altering his resolution as
that ii would be properly within the iuris-
diction Of that body.
Mr.. Walker said this Legislature could
not properly investigate the last Legisla-
ture; but Mr.. Thurman showed that such
had been done in the ease OF the funding
bill. Mr.. Walker, however, still held TO
his opinion.
no GERRYAANDERING.
Mr.. Wingfield Of Hanover said he was