Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-12
MAY MAKE INQUIRY.
Mr.. WitherS Likely 10 Introduce a
Joint Resolution To-day.
PEOPLE WANT THE FACTS.
A Returning Member Says There Are
Wild RumOFS ANOat.
POSITION OF Mr.. CABELL.
Mr. Meredith and Others Make Statements
With Reference to Conversations
Had With Him.
POSITION OF Mr.. CABELL

The indications are that the public will
not have heard the last Of the senatorial
nomination for the full term for long
while The explanations bearing on this
matter published In the Dispatch Sunday
morning constituted the leading topic OF
conversation yesterday in both business
and political circles. There are mutter-
ings all around the horizon.
About the Capitol in the morning there
was a good deal Of talk Of an investiga-
ton, but when the average member was
approached on the subject he would look
wise, shake his head and say he did not
know anything positive.
IT finally leaked out. however. that Dele
gate Withcrs, OF Danville, would prob
ably introduce into the House to-day
resolution asking the appointment Of
joint committee, consisting of five on the
part OF the House and three on the part
Of the Senate, to investigate the rumors
that the railroad companies and others
had used improper means 10 secure the
nomination for senator Of Mr.. Martin.
Then tongues loossned up a little and the
consensus of opinion was that "it ought
to be-"
VOTED FOR NEITHER,
Mr.. Withers when seen last night touch
ing the matter said that he was allied
with neither the Lee nor the Martin
forces, but having heard a great deal even
before he came to the city. about improper
f,.p f,, 1rffb tho
ship, he had expressed his opinion pretty
freely. lie was not positive, he said, that
he would introduce a resolution to-day
looking TO an investigation, but he left
the impression upon the reporters mind
that ne intended to take such step in
the near future. Continuing, Mr.. Withers
said he thought if there was anything
wrong the public ought to know 1t and
the guilty be made to suffer If, on the
contrary, there Vas nothing wrong, the
cloud should be lifted from the General
Assembly
HAVE NO OBJECTIONS
Delegate Nicol. who was one Of General
Lees most active and prominent mana
gers in the ante-caucus fsht said last
night that his side was perfectly willing
for the investigation to come.
Senator Hay, Of Madison, who was
equally prominent and active as n sup
porter Of Mr. Martin. when asked what
he thought about having an inVesuGa-
tion said: eve have no fear Of 1t. we
are ready and willing for 1t at any time.
There is no foundation for any rumor
that any improper influence has been used
aff1ef lon n
MT Martin"
4 member who returned from his home
last night said there were all sorts ot
rumors in the country respecting question
able influence having been used in the
senatorial contest. The suggestion was
thrown out that IL the Martin side did
not explain away these rumOrs within a
day or two the Lee men should formulate
their charges, end tell what they Know
and there should De a caucus investiga-
tOn.
As far as could be learned there was
with some members n feeling In this mat
ter behind any question OF partisan at
tachment. 1t was that the rurnors aiioat'
whether correct or not, reflected upon the
state and that for that reason no uuth
should be- brought out.
NOT WITHOUT PRECEDENT.
There are precedents for the proposed
course Of Mir. Withers During the Iesls-
Ietive session Of I6Sl-'2 for instance, Sena-
tor Rid9labergcr introduced into the Sen
ate a resolution providing for the appoint
tncnt of a committee to inquire into the
minors that improper influence had been
cmployed to secure the votes or members
in a contest for Office The resolution was
aimed at Hon. John f.. Massey, VINO was
a candidate for the United states Stha-
torship. The resolution passed, and Hon.
-. gH
investigating committee, whose report tN-
oneIated Mr. MASSEY
More About Mr. Cabell's Vote.
The action Of Mr.. James Aston Cabell'
~ Richmond. in voting for Mr.. Martin Is
sin the subject OF comment and criu-
cism among the supporters and frlencs
az General Lee, who had conndenty
counted upon the eX-GOVernors Receiving
the support of that gentleman IN Iast
Thursday nights cauCts. Mr. 'aDeH
statement I'm Sundays Dispatch was redd
Win very general interest, but il failed 10
evplain his course 10 the satisfaction or
chose who considered him as practically
,,o,ornitted 10 Lee. Mr. G. Y. Meredith,
who managed the Generals fight IN tlis
citv. Yesterday furnished the following
statement 10 the Dspetch
II learned this morning from MT CaDeii
that ! was the Jvrticular friend ALLUDED
n ~
Dispatch. His version of the conversation
ts az total variance with my positive
recollection of Il. At the time the conver-
sation took place II was not UNDERSTOOD
maj Mr.. Caben wC.lld be candidate.
never won't to his Office to ask him TO vote
for General Lee and / never asked him 10
go vote. nor did ever ask him TO promise
not to vote for Mr.. Martin
MIR. MEREDITHS VERSION.
"The circumstances of the conversation
and the substance OF it are as follows:
.In Nav or June last | went over TO
Mr. Cabels Office on business. After we
bad finished our business talk he re-
marked that some friends had been asking
him TO be a candidate for the Legislature.
nm that he had not decided. and asked
my oninion. | had been an intimate
friend for years. and three or four years
hafore had nominated him in conven-
lion for the Legislature. | told him | was
Glad to hear It, and hoped he would declde
20 do so. and further said: But you
l,noyr I am managing General Lees can
voss in Richmond. and. OF course, couid
not help any one who would oppose MN,
and asked him how did he stand on thaI
question. He replied that he was pledged
- no candidate and did not know how
no would vote and would not be willing
tn'nledge himself In advance. l told him
that / did not propose 10 ask a man liKe
him 10 pledge himself, but l would WISH
10 know how he would be guided IN max
INC nm his mind. He replied that he would
OF course be guided by the wishes or the
neople of Richmond. i told him that that
r,onld be satisfactory. / then asked nm
did he not know how Richmond stooo.
He replied that ke knew Richmond was
for General Lee"
SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS.
"That is lay positive recollection OF the
conversation. am fortified In my recol-
4 .l..A .irann Ar lNnlElIa