Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-12-08
CHARGES AGAINST MR. MOSES.
He Demands an Investigation, aud tho
Caucus APPOINTS n Committee.

He Demands an Investigation, ana the
Caucus Appoints Committee.
Immediately after the adjournment yes:
terday of the two branches Of the General
Assembly a joint caucus was held IN the
ball Of the House of Delegates. The ses-
sion lasted about an hour, and was, perhaps,
the most interesting one held since the
converting Of the present Legislature. =,
The Democratic lawmakers we're called
in council to investigate certain charges
against Mr.. w. w. Moses, Superintendent
of the Penitentiary, and upon the demand
Of that gentleman, made through Senator
John L. Hurt These charges are pre-
ferred by three Of the guards at the insti;;
tution-Mays, Willis, and Goosley-and
allege immortality on the part of the Super
intendent toward the female convicts (;
using liquor intended for the patients In
the prison hospital; discriminating In
favor of his son. who was at one time en-
ployed in the institution, and not allowing
over-pay to the guards.
DECLINED TO SERVE.
The charges were first heard OF several
days ago by members Of the Legislature,
when the papers containing them were
quietly circulated, together with alleged
documentary evidence in the shape OF
statements from the female convicts said
TO have been eggrieved. Almost imme-
diately Senators Gordon and Jones were
appointed q committee and requested TO
associate with them third senator, inyes-
tigate the matter, and report thereon.
Ihey selected Mr.. Mushbach as the third
senator, but be gave it as his opinion that
the investigation would be unjust TO Mr..
Lynn, Mr.. Mosess principal opponent
before the Legislature for the superln-
tendency Of the institution. The commit
tee. therefore, declined to serve and the
matter was dropped.
IGNORE THE ALLEGATIONS.
In the mean time Delegate Ryan and
Senator Fairfax, LOudoun, who are press
ing Mr.. Lynn's claims, were approached
by those who were circulating the charges,
but these gentlemen ignore ed them en-
tirely, and did not wish 10 see the docu-
mentary evidence, for, as Mr.. Ryan said
last night, they were not fighting on that
line and did not believe the accusations.
The statement of one of the women was
seen by a DISPATCH reporter yesterday. 1t
is written in ink in fair handwriting.
is signed with the wOman's name
with an indellible blue pencil and Is wit
messed by Mays. This statement, as does
similar one from another woman. charges
that the misconduct occurred in 1888.
Although the first committee refused TO
serve and the friends of Mr.. Lynn, as did
those of Mr.. Mosess other opponents, lg-
nOred the charges, these did not cease TO
be pressed, and yesterday Mr.. Moses went
10 Senator Hurt and insisted that the eau
Gus appoint a committee TO investigate the
charges and put an end 10 the matter.
In the caucus the friends OF all the
other candidates for the position OF Su-
perintendent of the Penitentlary repudl-
ated having any sympathy with or any
thing to do with the matter.
The caucus appointed the following
committee from the Senate Messrs. Mar
shall and Turner; from the House.
Messrs. Magruder Phil Brown, and Utz,
and then adjourned.
This committee will meet at the peni--
Tertiary at 10 o'clock this morning and
probe the charges to the bottom.
INDIGNANTLY DENIES.
Mr.. Moses Indignantly denies every
allegation brought against him and courts
the fullest investigation. All Of his OH
GERS express great surprise at the charges
aud have testified that they put no faith
in them.
DR.. Nash, Surgeon Of the Penitentiary,
has written letter in which he declares
that he does not believe they have any
foundation. and Mr.. Cross is quoted as
saying that he knows as far as it IS posi-
bic for one 20 know any thing about such
O matter that they are untrue.
Let the Reporters In.
Immediately after the adjournment Of
the two houses yesterday a Joint caucus
was held in the hall of the House of Dele
gates.
Mr.. Stratton offered the following reso-
luton, which was laid over until the meet
ing of the caucus Thursday night:
Resolred That the members Of the Domo-
cratic press be admitted to the sessions of
the Joint caucus of the Senate and the
House of Delegates, aud their reports OF the
proceedings OF the caucus shall be sub
United to the presiding officer of said eau
Gus and shall be approved by him before
publication.
The following additional nominations
for county judges were then made: Bote.
tourt, W. b. Simmons; Campbell, r. IL.
Ward; Nelson, Thomas i. fitzpatrick {;
Pulaski, Isaac Hudson.