The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-08-28
SPEAKS FOR HIMSELF
Major C. W. Wright Takes the Stand and
TeStlfleS In His Own Behalf.
SAYS THE TOWN OWES HIM s6,45o.66
This fs Over Two Thousand More
thnn the Amount Figured Ont by
Bain Under Direction OF Colonel
Boykin-The Major Presents His
Side Ofthc Case Very PInusibIy.

SUFFOLK. Va. Aug. Observation-Disclosures
ninth act in the comedy drama, entitled
How We Try Our Treasurer" occurred
TO-DAY In the county tribunal The
pIoG;eeuinss were OF more interest to the
ahdlence than for several days, and the
crowd. which had begun TO diminish
during the occupancy of the stand Of
the experts. whose principal part In the
plav was the recitation of figures and
statistics. was more dense as well ms
aDnrecative.
The prosecution having rested It's case
1t was anticipated that the chief actor
would soon appear on the stage. They
were not disappointed, for Major O. W.
Wright. the ex-Treasurer, was intro
duccd about ~ m, and for the rest OF
ne dav held the crowds attention very
closely. He took his part very clevcrly
ana with considerable dignity. Figures
and facts were ratified Off with great
rapidiiY during the examination in
chiei. ana were woven together with
such ingenuity and pathos that at times
IL appcared to the unsophistiscated that
| the outbar had been a victim of per-
| Secuiion. on the cross examination the
| Major was not so communicative and n
| FREQUENT reply To Mr. Holland in answer
| to INTERPRETATIONS was, u don't know"
| He said he could not be expected To re-
| call the details of transactions which
| occurred six or seven years ago, and he
mad no hcsitancy In expressing igno-
| rance in regard to n number of matters
| about which he was questioned
| When Judge kilby convened Court
| there were several little speeches about
remark used by Col. Boykin yestcr-
dav. in which he stated that the origi-
nal Britt Nandcrslice report had been
repudiated by the commemorative At
| tornev. by the Town Council and by
| everybody. lie said in explanation that
| he knew of no record confirming his
statement about the population. but
| the fact Still remained that the Town
| Council al the request of the Common
weaIth's Attorney had employed an
| other expert for the completion of its
| records.
Messrs Britt and Holland both adj
dressed the Court regarding the mat
ter and both claimed that the report
had not been rcpudiatci. Mr.. Holland
said tho report had never been in his
possession; he had never seen the com
Dleted report.
Judge kilby. after the discussion
warned the Jury to let no impression be
formed by what they had heard. He
said oil had been poured on the troubled
waters and they would now proceed.
G. III. CauscY. who had been examined
Yesterday. was in the witness chair, but
Mr.. Holland said there was no further
question for him. and he was told TO
stand aside.
Merritt Briggs, one OF Major Wrlght's
attorneys. who had conducted the set
Element with the Town Council on be-
half Of Major Wright in March. was
next introduced. Mfr. Briggs was weak
from his late illness, but his mental con
dition was all right, and he made a
good witnesa. He gave the details Of
his trip to New York when rumors were
ailoat regarding the defendant. The
latter was there al the time under treat
ment for throat trouble.
Witness s0ii after his rntl,rn from,
New York he went to DR.. A. w. Ely.
president of the Council. 20 request that
n special meeting be called The meet
ing was held and he appeared before
the body. and made several propositions
regarding On adjustment OF the suppos-
ed differences which existed in accounts
rs set forth b. the committee which
had been an1ointcd to look over Major
WriGhts accounts. He said they did
not acknowledge owing the town my
thing. but il any amount we're due he
told the Council that his client was
ready and willing to correct errors. He
begged and implorcd them FOR the state
ment. but could not then get it, Time
dragged on and he. continually Impress
ed on the Council Committee the i'm
nortance of rendering the statement.
Finally the experts were instructed to