Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-05
THE RICHMOND RING.
NJ. LEXIS Declares he Has II to Fight
In Military Legislation.
hill TO CHANGE THE BOARD.
Its Consideration In the House At
tended by a Lively and Somewhat
Personal Dcbate-Thc saturday
Haif-HoIiday-whip

a livery ueoatc' VIII" So"
heated and personal as 1t proceeded
took place In The House yesterday wneh
the bill introduced recently by Mr.. Lewis
10 change the complexion Of the Military
Board came up on the call of he eaicn-
dar.
The bill provides that the AJjutan'-
General. Assistant Inspector General ana
Secretary OF the Commonwealth, who'
with the Governor. constitute the board
shall be removed therefrom. and the
commandments of the various regiments
and baftallons shall be substituted Tor
them.
As soon as the bill was called, MI
Bryant, member of the Committee on
Militia and Police. moved that the rili
be recommitted, explaining that the
measure was set for consideration by
tho committee on Thursday next but had
been taken up previous thereto. While
many members of the committee were
absent. and reported favorably.
Mr.. McRae. chairman of the committee
thought the bill ought TO be reeoinmii.ed
in order to give the members OF the
committee interested in the pill who were
absent when IL was reported an opportj-
nifty OF voting on II. He explained how
ever. that no attempt had been mace to
take snap Judgment on them.
A STRONG RING TO FIGHT
MIR. Lewis warmly opposed recon-
initial and said that the military men
who were opposed 10 the dill hal been
given ample opportunity 10 be heard on
the measure lie said a partial inves-
tiuatiop had been made by the committee
OF certain charges against an officer OF
The State, and that the committee WAS
then called together and CONSIDERED me
bIli In relation TO the board. and bad re-
ported It 10 the House. Il have. SAID he
1.-THE strongest ring In Richmond TO Dght.
and i ask the House TO stand by me.
Mr. McRae, chairman OF the Comm'ttee
on Militia and Police. stated tina, he
regretted that the gentlman from Cui-
pcper had seen lit to make what seemed
10 be an appeal TO prejudice against
Richmond. lie hoped that the House was
100 fair and impartial TO base ito action
on any such feeling. Mr. McRae went on
10 say that. as chairman OF the COM
,nittec which made the recent investga-
ton of the election of Brigadier-Cereial,
he resented the term partial as npphed
10 the investigation. The in'est'-
cation, which was held under motloh
Introduced by the gentleman from Cul-
pepper, was full and complete one, ana
an the witnesses introduced by the gem
tleman from Culpeper, or by the gentle
men affected by the inquiry, were heard
and the committee was guided only by
DISPOSITION TO do justice to all parties con-
cerned.
PERSISTED IN HIS COURSE.
The gentleman from Cupeper had pre-
ferred serious charges against the ofhcers
in the service. but had finally consented
10 modify them. Il advised him." said
MI McRae, ito formulate resolution
which would empower the committee 10
send for persons and papers, but this he
steadfastly declined to do. and he sent
a peremptory summons to one gentleman,
who has put In a bill against the State for
SIS for his expenses here from Roanoke ="
MIR. McRae stated that he called the
committee together on last Saturday
morning to formulate a report upon the
investigation, and several members OF
the committee absented themselves
thinking that no other business would be
taken up. At that meeting this bill was
reported. He thought II only fair 70 the
gentleman from Richmond tNr. BryanO,
and the other MEMBERSHIP gentleman
from Amelia General Hundley), aud the
gentleman from Franklin (Mr Saunders
who were absent from the committee
when the bin was considered TO recommit
81. 40 that they might have an opportu-
nifty to express their views. No one on
the committee understood that tho bill
was 10 be acted on at the meeting at
which II was reported. The chairman $
tall for the committee meeting stated
specifically that the meeting was called
for the purpose of preparing report on
the investigation.
WRAPPED UP IN DISPUTE.
Mr.. Pitcher spoke TO the bill, and advo-
Gated the change, saying that the military
men were very much wrapped up In a
dispute" which, no thought, could be
settled II the Military Board was
changed.
Mr.. Bryant reiterated his statement that
the gentlemen Of the committee simply
wanted an opportunity TO vote, and Mr..
Pitcher withdrew his objections TO re-
committai.
Mr.. Foster spoke strongly against the
bill. and said that II it were passed IT
would disrupt and almost destroy the
service.
Mr. Bland said he was In favor OF the
bill. as the Portsmouth soldiers were In
deplorable condition, and If the change
would benefit them he wanted IL.
Mr.. Foster pointed out TO him that in
stead OF benefting them II would operate
20 their detriment
Mr.. Winston took the chairman of the
committee TO task for not having a regu-
lar time and place for meeting. He said
that he had recently examined the ac-
counts Of the Military Board, and they
oh
In that board. The fund at the disposal
Of tho board had not, so far as he could
see. been disbursed in any way to benefit
the private.
When he laid the fault OF the gentlemen
not being present at the committee meet
ing to MIR. McRae. that gentleman denied
the allegation. and MI Bryant. in a semi
sarcastic manner. suggested that the gen
iieman from Hanover introduce a reso-
luton censuring the committee.
PURPOSE OF THE MEETING.
Mr.. Lewis. who had during the discus
sion been busy distributing copies OF his
bin among the gentlemen of the House,
returned to his seat IN time to take the
floor when Mr.. Winston resumed his seat,
and he stated that the call issued for the
committee meeting did not contain the
clause specifying that the meeting was
for formulating a report on the investiga-
+, ton.
Mr.. McRae here interrupted: mfr.
; Speaker, l wrote the call myself. and II
did contain this specific clause. indicating
the purpose OF the meeting"
Mr.. Lewis. proceeding said that at the
meeting General Anderson became very
personal In his remarks. and the chair
man not stopping him. he qews) had
done so. II assert" he continued, "that
this IL an attempt being made on the
part Of Richmond ring TO control the
military fund"
Mr.. Bryant stated that Mr.. Lewis had
seen NJ 10 make a personal reflection upon
! the chairman of the committee Mr. Nc