The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-17
,..,,s.,,o0 !, 10 reveal, and not to con-

Mr. Chairman, IS TO find out whetner
fraud has been committed.
Mr.. Boykin: That is my idea, slr.
The following letter was laid on tue
Chairmsns desk by the sergeant-at-arms'
who stated that II came from gentle
man in Norfolk. The letter was not ac-
cepted by the committee as evidence, on
account OF the way In which II reacneo
them. 1t was suggested that IL be hsea
as part OF Mr.. G. V. Meredlth's testimony,
and to this he consented:
| Hon. j. Taylor Ellison. Dear Sir.
have had read 10 me letter from
| you to Mr. Barbour Thompson. dated
| November -. 1893, and which was ear
| ried on that day by you, or Mr.. Wick
| ham, 20 Mr. Joseph Bryan, with a letter
| from Mr.. Thompson to Mr.. Bryan.
| There is language In that letter which
| fairly admits OF the construction that
! you intended to assert that any money
| distributed by Mr. Thompson was distrib-
/ uted with your knowledge and consent.
! ask that YOU write TO me whether you
| intended 10 make any such assertion
| i have asserted that YOU could not have
| so intended. because. First, you on more
| than one occasion promised General Fltz
! Lee and myself that you would not let
4 Mr. Thompson distribute any OF the
| money contributed by the railroads II
| YOU could help II. Second, because after
| the election, you told me that any fund
I distributed by Mr. Thompson was Win
out your having any control over u ana
that while you could give a list Of the
| counties IN which YOU distributed FUNDS.
the counties I'm which Mr. Glasgow dis
tributed any and the counties IN which no
funds were distributed far as you
knew, that you could not give ME list
OF the places i'm which Mr.. Thompson dis
trbuted funds. because he had not fur
nished you with such Information.
/ therefore ask that YOU viii kindly
write ia me whether 1 am not right In
asserting that you did not intend such a
construction as above mentioned TO be
put upon any part OF your letter, ana
| win YOU not kindly write whether the
facts set forth In my reasons above
| given are correct?
| When YOU favor me with your answer.
which | hope YOU will let me have by
| bearer. | shall ask the privilege OF let
ting Mr. Joseph Bryan see Il. 70 whom
you delivered your letter to Mr.. Thomp-
SON. .
am. Very Truly. G. V. MEREDITH
T. S.. BE so kind also. as TO write mo
whether Mr. Thompson did not send money
| 10 Charlotte county. and that the hrs'
that you knew Of IL was when pr. A. o
Priddy told you Of e IN your onee on
the evening OF the day that he asked you
| for money. and did you not fell me 80
on the day you gave me the lists ABOVE
|
mentioncd2
Nj. Royal Again.
Mr.. William T.. Royal who had tempo
rarily yielded the stand to Mr Mereai'h'
then resumed.
Mr.. Nicol DO you know anything fur
ther I'm regard to this matter than what
you have already statedi
Mr. Royal: Mr.. Meredith mentioned 10
YOU a fact that [ thought might DO, ana
the committee ruled II out
Mr. Nicoi. what is the subiectt
Mr.. Royal: You recolect that Mr..
| Meredith remarked that | could put You
on the track Of finding out about the
! intimate relations between Mr. Barbour
Thompson and Mr.. Martin bearing d.
rectly on this subject.
Air. Downing ] object.
Mr.. Royal. / say IL Is bearing directly
| on the subject.
By a member Of the committed Can
| YOU give the names OF any witnesses
| who can testify on that matterf
Mr. Royall Mr. Bryan, n you direct
e | his mind that way; Mr.. Bryan could
tell you something about il II his mind
! WAS directed to 81.
{ Bv n member Of the committee rnovd
that Mr. Bryans testimony be taken In
| regard 10 H.
Mr. Royall Ny testimony Is Immediate
~ on that line.
Mr.. Nlco: State Il. then
Mr. Royal: Well Il means nothing un-
less tell you the whole thing.
, Mr. Downing: MIR, Chairman, II Mr..
} Royall can give us the facts or state
T the names OF witnesses who can five
| us the facts. 7 am In favor of having
! them summoned but / object 20 any
tlHferences.
eIG Mr.. Royal: About two years ago. when
| L.F
| Legislature, / know that Mr.. Joseph
81 Brvan. who owns and controls the Rich
mond Times. took the ground. privately
: and i'm his paper that the legislature
; | should Weld 10 an the rcaf0nable de-
mands 0f the people in respect 10 the
railroads. and only opposed those parts 81
the bin that made unrea ionable demsnas
y ! upon them. ] was present Al one inter-
a | Wow ir Mr.. Bryan OfIce, thc parheh 10
~ being aIr BRIAN. Mr. Barbour Thomp-
son. and myself. and, J think. Mr. Sol
, | Haas. I'm which the aublect was discusa' !.
and Mr. Bryan stated his views ~ tnls
% | time very fully. | think Mr.. Thompson
agreed with him. bot am not sure about
h that, but | am perfectly sure u was mem
D toned In the course Of IL that Nh rhomnf
Martin. who was representing the chesa-
I peake and Ohio railroad IN the matter
vas cooperating with the others In fight
g ing the bin as Mr.. Kent offered II. Mr.
. Bryan has since told me that on hls
g. presenting his views Of what should bs
done 20 Mr.. Martin he (Martin) would
4 not hear OF Mr. Bryan's suggestion. lie
said the railroads controlled the Legsla'
n ture, and could defeat the bin entirely
and that he could rot agree 10 anything
disc Mr.. Bryan then said; You maj
n control this LEGISLATURE. but the people
will send back another and another Until
they force you. % yield 10 their reasonA
bic demands" But Mr.. Martin stood ou
for his view Of the case and would no
n modify II. Mr. Joseph Bryan can tel
you all about this IL you Will ask hin
about II. NJ
I, III. renr Bin.
ie Afr. Downing Are we investigating the
Kent railroad bin or the senatorial con.
test2
Mr. Royal. ! said could show yot
that there was completely between Mr
Martin and Mr.. Barbour Thompson, and
I intend % connect Ar Barbour Thomp
son and Air. Martin as being combined
at that time IN defeating the Kent rail
road bill I merely say that there wa'
an intimate relation between Mr. Martir
A. and MIR Barbour Thompson.
q Mr. Nicol: Please state 10 the com
mittee II you know of your own knowledy
OF the improper use Of money In securin'
!. the election Of delegates Ia the late e.ec
10 ton 70 the General Assembly OF Virginia
MFR. Royal do not, sir.
Mr. Nicol; Have you tie names Of an
=, wltncsSes2
sIr Royal: No. sir: do not know any
body else that will probably throw lLgh
=, on the subject.
SIR. Nicci. Are there any other qees
a..