The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-03-07

A Personal Explanation from Nr. Riddle
berger In Reference TO MIR. Barbour and
DueIling-A Letter from Hon. John Goede
In Reply TO MIR. Bailey Norfolk and Dam
willie Railrond-Superintend or Schools
Confirmed-D Disorder and Excitement In the
senate Last Night ON n Resolution 10 Rr'
turn Thanks TO the President Pro Tenn
Bills Approved by the Governor; Several
Not Approved-Extra Session CnIled-He-
ces. Talked About.
I'm the Senate yesterday Mr.. Twyman
said: Mr.. President, In discussion during
this session on duelling disabilities the
Senator from Shenandoah (Mr. Riddieber-
ger) made a statement 10 the effect that
certain Democratic members OF the Legis-
laiurc had served in the General Assembly
before their disabilities were removed.
The Senator from Shenandoah promised
TO make this explanation; but he Is not 10
his seat, and as tins Is the last opportunity
shall have TO bring this matter before the
body, make my statement In his absence.
| send TO the Clerks desk and desire read
the Act OF January 6. 1877. [The Clerk
read the act removing the disabilities OF Mr..
Barbour and others.]
| desire 10 say that Mr.. Barbour was
elected the fall after the passage OF that
bill. see the Senator from Shenandoah
is now i'm his seat. and have no doubt he
will rectify the matter.
Mr.. Riddlebcrger: Mr.. President. IL II
Is in order to make personal explanation
| wish TO saw that am informed that Mr..
DarInnr fa,ls aarnr;ataI at "A stnfgmgDf : 0f
mine concerning the participation Of cer-
tain gentlemen in dueIs and then acting as
members OF the Legislature before their
disabilities had been removed. j did state
that some gentlemen had been engaged
in that kind OF sport and afterwards became
members Of the General Assembly and
subsequently had their disabilities re-
moved. was not mistaken. The Acts OF
Assembly, either 1878 or 1889, will
bear me out. There was an attempt 10 re-
move the disabilities, which failed because
the bill rected the wrong section OF the
Acts. 1t may be due TO Mr.. Barbour TO
add that perhaps he was under the impress
sion his disabilities were removed at the
time he qualified. They were not legally
removed, but doubtless he thought they
were.
Mr.. Twyman There was an error,
clerical or otherwise, in regard 10 the act.
have had a conversation with Senator
Newbcrry, and he thought il settled fact.
Mr.. Newbcrry: well remember the oc-
caSion. | was one OF the four who voted
against the removal OF the disabilities.
thought they were removed.
MR.. GoODE AND MIR. BAILEY.
Mr.. Thurman Mr.. President. / rise to
a question Of privilege. Some days ago,
in a debate in the Senate, remarks were
made about an absent gentleman, distin-
guished citizen OF Virginia. friend Of
minc-remarks which | regard as deroga-
tory To him. He has written me a letter in
response TO the charges brought against
him.
Mr.. Riddlebcrgcr: ! rise TO point Of
order. II ANYTHING has occurred in debate
between gentlemen here il is proper for
them TO adjust these matters 10y personal
explanation. The point ] make Is this :
That senators are not 10 be held response
bic in this way TO gentlemen outside. They
have their remedy outside for anything that
may be uttered here.
The Chair: The point j. we'll taken.
Mr.. Thurman: desire 10 appeal 10 the
chivalry and magnanimiiy OF Virginia
senate 10 hear a distinguished Nirginian
in reply 10 charges against him. II il Is
denied him, let it 20 20 the country.
Mr.. Riddleberger: | don't know what
the Senator means by his remarks. ! made
a point Of order. ] believe the dignity OF
the Senate demanded if. | will say ! am
ready to measure mp 10 the chiyalry cstab-
lishcd by the Senator from Bedford (Nr.
ThuTman) or the gentleman whose cause
he cSpouses.
The letter Mr.. Thurman wished TO read
i as follows:
NORFOLK. March /, 1852.
Hon. Joha Il. Thurman:
NY Dear Sir.-I have Just seen in the
Richmond Dispatch OF to-day a report OF
the discussion between Mr.. Bailey and
yourself, in which he is represented as say
ing that | have for years cheated the Re
publicans OF this district. Please accept
my thanks for the promptncss with which
YOU rcpellcd this vile and infamous slam
der. Mr.. Bailey is a stranger 10 me and 10
this district. lie must be necessarily igno-
rant of the matters about which he under
took TO speak, and am at a loss 10 under
stand his motive for thus assailing me, a
private citizen, upon the floor Of the Sem
ate. have been three times elected as the
representative from this district to the Con-
gress OF the United States. and my right TO
the seat has never been contested but once.
When was frat elected, in 1874. my COM
petitor made a contest before the state
Board Of CanyaSSers. After full inyesti-
cation before that Board, consisting OF
James l.. kempcr. Governor; X. VI. i.
Hunter, Treasurer; W. +. Taylor, Audi
tor: James Mcdonald, Secretary Of the
Commonwealth; and Il. 7. Daniel, Attor-
ncy-General, they unanimously decided
that had been legally elected, and award
ed TO me the certificate OF election. Ny
competitor was not satisfied, and served
upon me n notice Of contest before the
/ Congress Of the United States. In July,
1 1876, the House Of Representatives, after
a full and exhaustive debate, which
was participated in Ey leading mem
bers on both sides OF the chamber
retained me in my seat by decisive ma
jority. All OF my Democratic colleague,
from Virginia-Walker, Douglass, Tucker
llunton, Harris, Cabcll, and Terry, who
thoroughly understood the facts involved
in the controversy--cordially and earnestly
sustained my claim 10 the seat. II YOU
will examine the record Of the debate you
will find that ! stated publicly upon the
floor OF the House that ! would scorn tC
occupy the seat upon technicality, and
that desired the House to count for IN,
competitor all the votes which he had re-
ceived and which had been thrown out OF
account Of any irregularity or defec
in the returns but at the same time
claimed that they should deduct from hi
poll the votes that he had carried at th'
Norfolk nayy-yard by intimidation and co
ercion. In this connection the testimony
showed that the employees at the navy