Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-06
PURSUE THE INQUIRY
General Assembly Declines 10 Allow The
Investigation to Be Suspended.
THE WHOLE STATE AROUSED.
Good People Appalled, mt the sensa-
tiOnal Disclosures, and Demand
Probed-Mr. Yates VIII Not Come.

Institution, at Staunt0n, Will not be
postponed until after the adjournment
of the General Assembly, as was re-
commended by the committee. but the
work will be pushed ahead as rapidly
as possible. and the committee. it is un-
derstood. will go to SSaunton Friday
night.
The report submitted to the Senate on
Tuesday by Mr. Stubs was also present
ed in the House yesterday, and was
promptly taken up and discussed at the
same time that it was being considered
in the Senate. Both branches declined to
consent to suspend the inquiry and di-
rected that it proceed without delay.
AS soon as the Senate convened, Mr..
Stubbs again made the statement that
the members of the committee had made
the report because they felt that they
were neglecting the interests of their
constituents, and II they continued with
the investigation, they could not attend
to committee or legislative work. He
said, however, that if the Senate wished
them, they were ready to proceed with
the work of investigation. even If it
took them until the end OF the session.
SHOULD BE NO DELAY.
Mr. Echols, Of Staunton, urged that
the Investigation be proceeded with at
once He said that the charges made
against the institution had come upon
this community like a cloudburst. He
thought IL would be wise for the com
mittee TO go to SIaunton, and continue
its work, as there they could see the
exact location of the buildings, and thus
probably greatly expedite matters.
Mr. Wickham said If this General AS
sembly adjourned withouC taking action
upon this most serious matter they
would have to answer for il before not
only the bar of public opinion OF the State
of Virginia, but that of the civilized
world He said nothing wfthin his recol-
lection had caused the Indignation that
this matter had. and the whole State was
stirred up over il.
Mr. Tredway and Mr.. Keezel both
agreed with the view taken by Mr..
Wickham.
TO CONTINUE THE INQUIRY.
Mr.. Lovenstein offered the following
substitute for the report:
Resolved. while the General Assembly
fully appreciate the arduOus labors of
the committee to which was referred the
charges of j. l.. Randolph against the
Deaf, Dumb and Blind Institute at
Staunton. and that they will be required
TO neglect other duties in the interest Of
their immediate constituents; yet the
gravity of the case requires that this
matter should be disposed Of at this
session Of the General Assembly:
Resolved. That the committee con-
tinue it's investigations, SO as 70 submit
their report In time to be acted on at
this session.
Mr.. Flanagan offered an amendment
providing that the committee be in
structed 10 continue with the investi-
CATION. provided they were of the opin-
ION that the work could be finished
and the report submitted before the
time for adjournment OF the General
Assembly
SHOULD BE DISPOSED OF.
Mr.. Flood thought the matter ought to
be disposed of at this session OF the
Legislature, II it had to sit until
summer.
Mr.. Flanagan said the committee
should be given some assurance as TO
this. as under the substitute they had
no reason to believe that the General
Assembly would not adjourn on the 4th
of March.
Mr.. Hay said that II was the i'm
perative duty Of the committee to con-
clude the investigation before the regu-
lar time for the adjournment Of the
body and he knew that ii could be done.
Mr. Lovensten's substitute was adopt
ed without amendment.
DISCUSSED IN THE HOUSE
As soon as the report was read in the
House Mr.. Hathaway took the floor
and said that he considered il absolutely
hot hx .la.. oh, I. -,
vestigated. and that the House might
rest assured that no whtewash report
would be rendered. The gentlemen who
compose the committee, he said have
bills on their minds and are looking
after their other legislative duties and
they could not properly conduct the in
vestigation without entirely abandoning
their seats. Now | am anxious to do
my work i'm this House." said Mr. Hatha-
way, 'and | am chairman OF the Prisons
and Asylums Committee, and that places
a great deal OF work on me- I would
far rather have the investigation post
poned. and l hope the House will adopt
the report"
Mr.. Digs asked that the report 20
over until to-day, and Mr. Hathaway
objected. saying that II the Investigation
must go on 1t ought to be proceeded with
at once
JfE lBi.lC SHOCKED.
Mr.. Hundley said he would like TO
oblige the gentlemen Of the committee,
but he didn't see how the investigation
could well be postponed. 81 venture TO
say" he continued. that the public has
never been so shocked as by qhe develop
ments in this investigation. This thing
affects the honor OF the State and should
not be postponed even for one hour.
ask my friends and associates not TO let
this matter pass by. but If il takes every
hour OF the committees time let it go
on"
Mr. Parks said. mo one disIikes more
than J TO infiict hardship on these gentle,
men, but this matter is so transceudent
in Importance that If II We're necessary
for the whole General Assembly to- do
nothing but consider ii henceforth. II
should be done. The people in the coun-
try are shocked. indignant, mortified. and
enraged. and would be doubly indignant
II this investigation were postponed. Let
us get TO the bottom OF the thing Hew
to the line, let the chips fail where they
may Let Us sink party interests, aud
stand shoulder to shoulder when the
honor of the State is at stake. Applause
from the opposltion) As poor as | am.
I'd stay here thirty days longer and pay
my own board rather than let this matter
go by
WHAT THE SITUATION is.
Mr.. Carter II. Harrison was she next
gentleman TO speak TO the report. Said
he: Il am a member OF the investigating
committee, and we have been engaged
I'm the matter for ten days. and have
examined eighteen witnesses. and have
fifty more to examine for the prosecution,
besides a large number for the defence,
and in rebuttal. We have discussed how
on earth We could Ret along before AL