Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-07-18
rHE MAssEY.pILor TRIAL.

IHE MASSEY-PlLOI IhlAL.
The Massey.Pilot libel suit had some
little variations in Norfolk yesterday.
Captain Wise continued at work on
Mr.. Massey's accounts. A feature of
the accounts was that Mr. Massey had
as one item of expenditures 500 for his
Canadian trip. This was of interest
from the fact that it has been charged
that Mr.. Womack paid Mr.. and Mrs.
Massey's expenses on that trip. Mr.
Wise announced that he had con-
cluded his cross-examination of Mr..
Massey, when the redirect examination
of the witness was continued by Mr..
Thorn. Mr. Massey thereupon repeat
ed his transactions. Several questions
asked by counsel at this juncture were
objected to by Captain Wise and the
objection was sustained. One Of them
was relative to the secret drawer in
his bureau which had been examined
by Messrs. Walker and Thorn. He
further testified that he had about
$4,000 left after making the now IA
nous deposit of 900 in Richmond in
1890, the book year, and that he had
over S., 900 when the deposit of 5000
was made by his wife in 1894, the next
book year, but that of this deposit
made by bis wife, with which to buy
the Charlottesville house, he only con-
tributed $3.50.
AS to the charge that he drew will
for man and made himself Massey
the legatee, Mr.. Massey said that let
tiers were received by friend OF his
from Governor Letcher and others ex-
planning the matter and indicating
him Massey from the accusation. Mr..
Thorn here wanted those letters read,
but Captain Wise objected unless the Eff
finger deposition, charging Mr.. Massey
with making the alleged improper will,
was also read. After consultation with
other counsel for the plaintiff Mr.. Thorn
agreed to the proposition.
Captain Wise read the Efinger depo.
sition, charging Mr.. Massey with sun-
dry things, carrying on marriage
brokerage and drawing up false will.
and Mr.. Thorn read letters from Hon.
A. II. 81. Stuart and others favorable
to Mr.. Massey as to those matters and
exonerating him. Mr.. Massey then
left the stand, after having been under
examination since last Thursday.
Ex-Gov. P. w. Mckinney was then
called to the stand. He testified that
while Governor of Virginia from 1890
to 1894, his relations with Mr.. Massey
were very close and confidential; that
in 1890 the board of education was
greatly annoyed by the opportunities of
book agents; that at board meetings tho
members could hardly turn around with
out having books handed them by
agents. The board decided, and he
mckinney heartily approved if,
not to hear ANY more oral ar
guments as to books; that the
adoption of books in March. 1890,
was not completed at that time lit has
been charged that the book adoption
was subsequently, reopened after the
March meeting,) as arithmetics had not
been adopted, each member ofthe board
favoring q different arithmetic up to
final adoption. Mr.. Massey never at.
tempted to use any persistent effort
with the board in regard to books. He
Massey was a most diferential and
pleasant man, and never tried to con-
troll the hoard that the board of educa-
ton was q fair, frank and open body.
Witness had thought that from MIR.
Massey's knowledge, he (Massey) would
want to dictate to the board, but the
witness found it entirely different.
Witness had not learned of snything to
shake his confidence in Mr.. Massey.
During the examination Governor
Mckinney gave as the reason for not
making radical change of books when
he was Governor was the matter Of cost
it would involve to the buyers of the
books. As to ''star chamber" proceed
ings of the board of education, Govern
Or Mckinney said there was no such
thing. As to Mr.. Massey's general re-
putation, witness said it was good;
that he had never aspersed it, and he
had never heard any thoughtful man
do 80; that no man has been discussed
more than Mr.. Massey, and after
measuring him all the way round and
all the way up witness does not hesitate
to say that he will trust him; that he
Believes that he (Massey) is honest and
truthful.
Captain Wise In croSS-eXamlnlDg
Governor Mckinney asked him if he
remembered what John w. Daniel said
in campaign speaking about Mr.. Mas
sey. The Governor did not think that
he heard Mr.. Daniel speak in the cam
paign referred to-.
Mr.. Wake, who had conducted the
direct examination of the Governor.
then re-examined him ana asked him if
he would believe Mr.. Massey on oath.
81 would" said the Governor. Court
then adjourned until to-day, when
Governor O'Ferrall and Attorney
General Scott will go On the stand.