Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1895-07-26
THE EVIDENCE CLOSED
THE MASSEY SUIT NOW BEING
ARGUED.

| Last Monday the end of the fourth week,
the last of the evidence in the suit OF John E.
Massey against the Pilot newspaper, Sam'l
and others, was put in. Eighteen OF
the twenty-six instructions submitted by
counsel on each side were given to. the jury
by the court. Mr.. Thorn made the opening
| speech of counsel for the plaintiff, and it is
understood that Mr. Wise will make the clos
ing speech of the defendants side.
MR.. MAssEY's FIFTH DAY.
Mr.. Massey was again on the stand on
Thursday, beginning his fifth day Of cross
examination. He testified that he had in
early life studied law and been admitted to
tile bar, but shortly after engaged in other
business and gave up practicing. Mr.. Wise
then started out again on his hunt into Mr..
Massey's money affairs. While talking over
the accounts, Mr. Massey spoke of how free
his wife was to 60 home and take whatever
she wanted out of the store, in which she was
partner. and he dwelt upon how kindly
they (the two brothers and Mrs. Massey were
to each other down there in Alabama, which
caused Capt. Wise to remark: "What sur
prises me is that some one else didn't capture
this good lady before you got her,
Mr.. Massey laughingly rejoined: "Others
tried, but l was a lite sharper than they were
and succeeded better. She has said that the
reason got her was that was shrewd old
politician" Continuing, Mr. Massey said
(referring to HIMSELF: 1.-The old widower
succeeded better than the other fellows
AN EX-GOVERNOR ON THE STAND.
Ex-Gov. Philip w. Mckinney, governor
from Jan. 1899 to Jan. 1891. testified that
while governor his relations with MI. 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 the members could hardly
turn around without having books handed
them by agents. The board decided, and he
(McKinney) heartily approved it, not to hear
any more oral arguments as to books;
that the adoption of books in March
1890, was not complete at that time Git has
been charged that the book adoption was sub
sequently reopened after March meeting), as
arithmetics had not been adopted, each menu
Der of the board favOring a different arith-
metic up to the final adoption Mr.. Massey
never attempted to use any persistent effort
with the board in regard to books he (Mas-
sey) was most deferential and pleasant man,
and never tried to control the board that the
Board of Education was fair, frank and
open body; witness had thought from Mr..
Massey's age and knowledge he (M.) would
want to dictate to the board, but the witness
found it entirely different witness has not
learned of anything to shake his confidence
in MIR. Massey that Mr.. Massey has grown
on him (witness).
Capt. Wise then took the Ex-Governor for
his cross -examination. He said in answer to
questions that for short time and in certain
way he had once performed service for
Barnes & Co., book publishers THAT he had
never aspersed Mr.. Massey on the stump;
that before he came to Norfolk had never
heard any thoughtful man do so; that he
doesn't believe that there is any man in Vir-
gnia who has been more discussed than Mr..
Massey. He is 76 years of age and am near
ly as old. l have measured him all the way
round and all the way up, and l do not hes
itate to say that l respect him. 1 would
trust him and would believe him.
ATTORNEY GENERAL SCOTT TEsTIFIEs,
Attorney General Scott member of the
State School Board, testified that he remem-
Dereu the lneeLluS Ol the OCaGe Board OF Ed
ucation on March 18th, 1890. The circular
brought into question. which notified book
agents that no oral arguments would he
heard, Attorney-General Scott said, was the
result of his own suggestion. 1t was the
sense of the Governor and himself that such
action should be taken. The witness decl ar
ed that there was nothing "surreptitious'' or
star chamber like" in these proceedings
Mr.. Thorn asked if he knew of any facts
in Mr.. Massey's connection with the making
up OF the book list in 1890 to distinguish his
conduct from that of any other member of the
board. Major Scott asserted that there
was not. He had never seen anything in
Mr.. Massey's conduct to call him into ques-
ton. He himself was as much responsible
for any improper conduct as anyone else.
He was member OF the State Board of Ed |
ucatiOn.
The witness also remembered the subse- |
quent meetings Of the board in 1890. There |