Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-16

lieylng. 10. all but three are either ma
lives or residents of Virginia, and are
AS much interested In preserving the
dignity and sustaining the laws OF Nir-
slnia as any citizen OF the Common
wealth."
WANTS 1T INVESTIGATED.
Nr Wedderburn. in his address, after
,aeorr,ne 20 the message and his letters,
saws. II ask that a special committee be
anpoInted by the worthy overseer, or IN
such manner as the Grange may deem
best for investigation. TO whom the papers
shall be referred.
III the Governors statements are correct
II goes without saying that i am not
proper person to hold the posiuon ol
master OF this Grange. holding al the
same time the secretaryship OF the Grange
Camp Association.
IL State laws have been openly violated
hv the Grange Camp Association; II law
lessness OF all kinds has been per-
mitted upon its grounds with inpuhlty
and in open violation OF laws TINS pouy
should know IT, and so proclaim To the
world and the Legislature, ana IL IL que
to the good name OF our state ana OF
the order that II this Is not so mat the
truth should be told.
II his statements are incorrect then
the Governor has been misled ana misin-
formed. probably by those whose per
sonal interest lay in giving transformation
relative TO the Grange Camp Association.
actuated by the same desire that induced
Alcibiades 10 cut of the tail of his dog.
10 direct attention from their own mis-
deeds I feel sure you Will pardon me for
bringing a personal matter before you,
Int | know that none Of you VIII hesitate
for a moment 10 devote the time neccs-
sary 10 investigate and obtain the truth,
and state II without fear or favor, in
matter which so seriously involves the
good name of the man whom you have
honored by placing at the head OF our
order in Virginia. There may be personal
difference of opinion as to the right or
wrong of horse-racing and betting thereon,
but there should exist no difference or
opinion on the part OF this Grange as to
the propriety of any officer thereof coun-
tenancing or assisting in violation Of laws
OF this Commonw ealth.
THE GOVERNOR MISINFORMED.
The special committee of the Grange,
appointed TO investigate these charges
against the Grange Camp Association of
Northern Virginia. submitted the follow
ing report last night:
The Governor charges that
a. For two or three years, or longer.
prior to 1894. there were no exhibitions or
fairs held, and j am informed the enter
prise had been virtually abandoned by
the association.
''2. That the charter granted TO the as
ISOLATION has been prosttuted to the
most vicious and illegal practices. Gre
atinC disorder in it's open disregard and
defiance of the Jaws Of the Common
wealth.
"3 And the Governor demands, in view
Of the alleged facts he gives, that said
charter of the association be repealed.
1.-The committee has patiently and care
fully investigated this matter. and we
are of opinion that the Governor has been
msed by false information.
The following gentlemen appeared be-
fore the committee only one Of whom has
any pecuniary interest in the Alexander
Island property: f. II. Jones. r. VI. Whit
ney, II. II. Garrett; j. b. Bowman. Of
Fairfax; J. r. Aldrich; 5. I. Boggatt. of
Spotsylvania; W. T. Mason, of Accomac;
r. H. Nelson. OF Henrico: T. s. Stadden
j. G. Cammer. J. III. Williams; X. NJ.
Cooper. Of Frederick; Or. Il. c. Powell.
Of Dnwiddie, and Charles Comstock, OF
Richmond.
From the evidence of these gentlemen.
as we'll as other evidence which Will be
referred 10. we are prepared to assert
most positively that the Grange Camp
Association have held fairs every year
from 1887 to 1894 inclusive, there being
three fairs. or exhibitions, held during
the latter year: and we can assert, on
the authority of these gentlemen. that
these fairs were conducted in an orderly
manner: that they saw nothing of an
Illegal nature of any kind; that a large
sum OF money was paid for legitimate
prizes; and that all obligations were hon
orally and urorupflV nv the aSsOcia-
ton.
1T further appears that State-Senator
Mushbach visited the associations fair
in 1891; that Hon. Joseph Willard deliv-
cred an address at the fair in 1893, that
Judge Chichester appointed the police TO
the fair i'm 1891. 1892. and 1888; that in 1894
the Governor himself gave permission to
certain military companies TO visit the
fair. and acknowledged the receipt of an
! invitation TO attend.
ALLEGATIONS NOT SUSTAINED.
THE committee invite attention to the
elaborate and exhaustive letter Of a. J.
Wedderburn. published recently, in reply
to the Governors statements. a copy of
which accompanies this report
In summing up, your committee are
convinced that the allegations of the
Governor are wholly unsustained, and
are singularly unjust TO the association.
II there is any foundation for the highly
I colored suggestions of the Governor, II
/ cannot possibly have any reference 10
/ the associations charter. that associa-
ton working under the laws Of the State,
which apply with equal force 20 every
/ similar agricultural organization. IL there
is blame anywhere. it will be found in
the general law. and in the executive
and judicial officers OF the State. To re-
/ peal the charter OF the Grange Camp
| Association for the reasons assigned
would be a gross outrage. and wholly
uniustifed by the facts elected before
/ this committee.
Respectfully submitted.
NJ. W. HAZLEWOOD,
Il. II. HUTCHINSON,
O. II. D'BAUN.
4. II. MCALDWELL,
u. II. SPANGLER.
7 mir .ln al ht,