The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-02-18
A Card from Mr. Flanagan Relative
to His Trouble with the Governor.

10 the Edtt0r OF me UlSDdlch
Much has been said in the city papers
and elsewhere as to my removal ~ di-
rector OF the Central Lunatic Asylum.
In view Of this | deem it proper TO make
the following statement, and ask you and
the other Richmond papers to publish 1t:
The records OF the institution named will
show that have rendered the Board yalu-
able service since my appointment; that !
was working member, faithful and
efficient secretary. That was appreciated
as such was demonstrated to some extent
when Captain Josiah Crump, OF Rich
mOnd, moved to pay me $500 for my
services as such secretary pro tempOre.
When the motion w9s made | sug-
rested that in course Of the removal
TO Petersburg we would need professional
service to a greater or less extent. | stated
further that il it be understood that i
should render such necessary service in
the examination OF the title to the pro-
perty about to be purchased, and in the
preparation OF the necessary bonds and con-
tracts to be executed by the successful
bidders on the asylum at Petersburg, and
thew would consider the service rendered
and to be rendered in the preparation and
publication OF the bylaws Ito which the
laws Of the Stae in relation to asylumS
was anneXcd), l would then consent for
the Board to consider proposition to pay
me, not the sum named, but only 800.
The motion. properly modified, was then put
and uRanimOuSlyadopte by the Board and
entered upon its record. The sum allowed
has been since paid me, and the greater
part OF the payment has since had the second
approyal OF the Executive Committee, a
body which had full power to make such IN
expenditure.
At subsequent date-viz., on the 18th
day OF May, 1SS2-for reasons | need not
here assign, il was moved by Dr. Anderson
that / be allowed $25 per month for
clerical services . at the asylum. |
consented to render them from time to
time as was then indicated. The motion
was adopted and entered upon the record,
and under it. and in accordance with its
terms, received 5000. The 5000 thus or
dered to be paid is the whole sum received
by me for services rendered. In making
this confession | have but one fear-yiz.,
that OF the comments OF the public upon
the small estimate seemingly fixed upon
nv services and value as an attorney. |
thought then, As / think now, that lawyers
of reputation and pride might well deride
me for carving the responsibility virtually
of tie investment OF $250,000 to the eX-
tent named for a fee Of S400, disregarding
the other labors assigned me for that sum.
From the letter received from Governor
Cameron demanding my resignation | saw
that he was misinformed as to facts, and,
in nv opinion, as IN that OF prominent
LAWYERS. he had mistaken the law. | was
II - q tI. oh Of aeaiaaon1I nj
refused under the circumstances to resign,
and wrote him defiant letter as to the
charge and invited him TO make 1t good.
/ meant to invoke then, rs do now, the
severest penalty OF the law If | had yio-
lated any OF its provisions. lie has seen
fit TO attempt to remove me, and not re-
specting the pretended right claimed, L
have applied for the ruling OF the supreme
Court upon the question.
Ii may be Governor Cameron's practice
10 remove in all such cases. | do notknou
what his course under similar circum-
stances has been heretofore, nor do care.
| have some right to suppose, however,
that he has made quite an inyidious dis
tinciion in singing me out as Il
victim OF his wrath when my as
sociates on the Central Board who voted
that the money be paid are not condemn
ed. Their innocence OF crime or maieas-
ance, in the first place, should be and is to
them protection. II there are other rea-
sons why they are not censured | leave
il TO be inferred as to what they are.
| make no charge upon his EXcellency
OF unfair sympathy or action as to the Pc
tersburg bidders who were my fathers
councillors for the work on the new aSy-
Ium building, nor do l know that my re-
moval was designed to effect the action oi
the Board which Immediately succeeded it..
The fact that the contracts were within a
few days afterwards awarded these pan tiles
has been commented upon in way that
trust the Governor never deserved.
| give this my version OF the facts-of
the means by which received the money
complained of. | invite the closest and
fullest inquiry as to their truthfnlness, and
by them as they are | am willing to be
Judged. Respectfully,
WILLIAM NJ. FLANAGAN.