Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-23
MIR. Craig Replies 10 Colonel Bigger.


In view of the publication in the Rich
mond Dispatch on March Dist of com
munication signed by Colonel Frank G.
Ruffin and rejoinder thereto on March
ODD signed by Mr.. j. 3. Bigger, in which
my name is prominently mentioned, L
beg the privilege of presenting to the
public a correct statement of the facts so
far as ! was concerned with the matter
discussed
Very soon after the adjournment of the
General Assembly, upon the application
of the Auditor of Public Accounts, in
order that he might execute the impor-
tant duties imposed upon him by these
acts. there was furnished him what pur-
ported to be copy of the act providing
pensions for disabled soldiers, sailors. and
marines, &c. also, a copy of the app1o-
priation act.
The object in obtaining copies of these
acts was to facilitate the business of the
Office and TO enable all parties interested
in the provisions of either Of them to
avail themselves Of the benefits to which
thew might he entitled Hereunder. The
Auditor of Public Accounts determined
TO first prepare the forms of application
for pensions in accordance with the pro-
visions of that act, in the preparation OF
which was called upon to aid him. The
CODY furnished contained errors which
made the act useless as to the work in
view. and he determined to examine the
enrolled bill to see if the errors we're In
the law or in the copy. assisted him in
this work-reading the enrolled bill
whilst he corrected the copy. This ex-
animation was conducted in Mr.. j. ID.
Bigger's Office, in his presence, by his
consent also, IN presence OF several OF
his clerks. Not a word Of censure was
uttered nor reference made to the errors
bv either the Auditor or myself, both Of
US concluding the errors were due to the
tired condition of the clerks and the haste
in which work is necessarily done at the
close of a session OF the General Assem-
bly,.
Pending the preparation of the forms
of application for pensions the Auditor
Of Public Accounts carried the copy OF
the appropriation act to his home, and,
carefully examining its contents, entered
briefly on its margin the several amounts
appropriated for the fiscal years lSS7-'SS
and lSSS-'S9, and the conditions an
nexed thereto also, what appeared to
be errors.
On Friday, March 9th, by order Of
the Auditor of Public Accounts, / was
directed to compare a memorandum fur
nished me by him with the enrolled APP
preparation bill, then In the hands of
the binder, who informed me that the
rolls were in o press and could not be
seen, and stated that notwithstanding /
had been sent to him by State officer
he preferred that i should procure an
order from Mr.. J. b. Bigger before be
felt il proper to consent TO my exami-
ming them. Fully appreciating his posi-
ton rs well as my own, reminded him
that Mr.. j. b. Bigger was absent from
the city and that there was an
important matter in the act wished
TO examine, about which all the
basement officers were greatly concern
ed. This Was as far as / could 60 in ex-
PLANTATION of my presence there, and the
binder, Mr.. English, then said that l
might SEQ the rolls on Monday, March
18th but before going there on that
dsy-and 10 prevent any charge Of dis
courtesy-I called at Nh. j. b. Bigger's
Office and was informed by Mr.. Mac
dougall Ia committee clerk that neither
Mr.. Bigger nor his son (the assistant
clerk was there, and that the former was
not in the city.
compared the sections furnished me
on the memorandum heretofore referred
10 with similar sections III the enrolled
bill, and made my statement 10 the Au
ditor OF Public Accounts. / was subse-
quently directed by him to compare the
same memorandum with the eDgrossed
bill, which duty also performed. The
examination OF the engrossed bill was
made in the Office of j. T.. Goode. ESQ.,,
under the following circumstances
requested HIM TO let me have tine en-
crossed appropriation bill Knowing me
we'll and the position occupied be hand
ed me the bill without hesitation, and
after looking over it l asked him If that
was all OF it. he replied that he had
memorandum (not letter. which boz
ionged 10 1t, and taking il from his
desk or safe he fastened il 10 the bill,
stating, whilst engaged in the act, that
was all he knew Of This memorandum
stated that the lines in tho engrossed bill
referring 10 the vaccine agent had been
stricken out, but we're restored for both |
appropriation years by the conference |
committee Of both houses. and also states
that would be glad to compare the |
proof of any act.
This memorandum in the published I
communication OF Mr.. j. b. Bigger is
represented 40 communication enclosed /
With the engrossed bill. When be wrote
that statement hs exhibited want Of