The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-07-24

and said it was statement made in di.
rect examination that it contained q
complete account OF his expenses aud
his receipts. but Massey said subse.
queut that he had over and over again
said 1t WIS not q complete list. lie
could not see why MIR. Massey should
have made n statement in direct eysmi .
nation which he changed unless he de.
sired to make false statements to the
jury.
Under the searching investigation OF
his colleague it was necessary that Air.
Massey should falsify his accoulta and
that no weight could be attuched to
"a witness who shifts his position in
such a manner. The highest impsach.
ment OF witness is self-impcacbmsnt,
aud tho jury will not credit q witness
who Is spoaking for purpose aud not
for the truth.
lilo had shown that the revenues of
tho farm from 1874 10 1880 did not
make him any better OF, and that his
statements IN regard to his income has
stamped his testimony as worthless.
lie would not go into a detailed state
meDt OF MIR. Massey's expenses, as MIR.
WISE had Rraciously taken that matter
oil OF his hands. He would, however,
| u
items for the suke of conneo
ton in argument, and after do
ing 80 said 1t was m insult
to ask the jury to believe the figures;
that 1t Ia an insult to the Jury and q
travesty upon truth. He gave as an
illustration OF the fact that MIR. Massey
had no money, while ha claimed that
he had money IN drawer; that he
allowed penalties to be added to his
taxes. This statement was questioned
by Judge Nicely and MIR. Wake. Judge
Heath said it was n matter OF record in
the report and he could show it.
He next alluded to Mr.. Masssy's
method OF secretiug his money by Ger.
tlhcates OF deposit and said he had q
perfect scheme to protect himself from
tho MauZe heirs aud there was no OK
cnse for the secret drawer that theiidea
o! keeping So, 900 in an iron drawer in
his house was Improbable. The house
WAS liable to be burned down at auy
time; it did not accord with Mr.. Mas.
sey's common sense; it does not accord
with business sagacity. These arc
pertinent questions, which must bo
answered.
Why did he take Mr.. Thorn and MIR.
Wake there to see the drawer? 1t Is
a part and parcel of the plan of this
man. His whole career justities the
statement that he Is foxy and tricky.
Mr. Massey had attempted to strength.
| ell Ills evidence by stump speech,
and that man who only wanted to
tell the truth md the whole truth
would not have SO dealt with the Jury.
Judge Heath then argued that every
thing showed that Mr.. Massey did not
have money, but that he suddenly came
into possession of So. 900, and his e1-
planution is that he had it in an iron
drawer at u time when he did not have
money to pay his taxes. How arc we
to believe him? aud If he has not told
the truth we:istand acquitted of this
libel.
The testimony shows that MIR. Mas.
sey's character is not strong to sus-
tain him against temptation. His CON
duet In regard to the judgment OF the
court shows that he ie morally weak.
lie also Shove a luck of moral char
acter by charging the State OF Virginia
$500 for riding upon n free pass, and
MIR. Massey con not justify himself by
tho statement that other people are
guilty. Why is 1t that others are not
compllmented i'll the same way? We
are MI as worthy as MIR. Massey, but
the pass came to him as John f. Mas
sey, superintendent of Education,
While he had aworn to guard Vir
ginia's interest. he makes this charge
to the State. He explains the matter
as personal compliment, and he sold
to the State at 500. Ii tho American
Book Company should compliment
him, why should he not sell that also
to the State. IL there is reason to
support the one, there is reason to sup
port the other
n speaking of the Canada trip Judge
Heath said he found n man ready TO
give and man who is ready to re-.
celve. Mr.. Massey said ho paid his
own expenses, but he is unsupported
Judge Heath referred to the Graphic
copy book matter and said the circular
which Mr.. Massey issued was not by
authority OF the Board of Education :;
that Lowell desired to keep his book on
the list; that he had never seen Mr..
Massey. but he had seen Womack.
An argument arose between Judge
Heath aud Judge Nicely on this sub
ject, aud rs the slime had arrived for
adjournment, the gavel fell and Court
WAS adjourned till this morning. Judge
Heath will continue to speak.
| = Corrections.