Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-31


asked him who he would vote for II
he was in the brigade. lie told Major
Evans that he would vote Tor Phillips
but he afterwards changed his mind
Witness stated that he voted for Colonel
Nalie, and that the other officers from
the cavalry regiment and the Blues Bat'
talon. who Were assigned to the brigade
at The same time he was, voted for Gene
raj Phillips.
COLONEL JONES ON THE STAND.
Colonel Henry c. Jones. Of the First
Regiment. Infantry. was the next wit
ness 10 take the stand lie stated. as had
the witnesses preceding him. what had
occurred at the Two meetings at which
the deadlock had occurred. and told OF
his visit 10 the Governors with seven
officers who were willing 20 vote FOR
colonel Male. and asked his ENcellency
10 recOnvone the meeting. lie knew no.
thing OF the proxy, and could throw
but little light. he said. on the circum-
stances when attended that he was
satisfied that II the Governor mad conf
Piled with the wishes OF the seven gem
tlemen vino went 20 see him. by calling
the meeting on the morning Of NoNem-
Der p. 1891. an election would have neen
held. and IL would not have been ncces-
sary for the enlargement OF the brigade.
Colonel Jones was asked by Mr..
Bryant n he Thought IL wise 10 order
the Investigation. lie replied that he
didn't care TO express any opinion. Mr.
Bryant said that he simply wanted 60
know ~ there was anything improper in
the election Of the brigadier. and. If there
was any excuse for the holding OF such
an inquiry
Alr. Saunders stated that colonel Jones
was not the father of the resolution
ordering the investigation. that Mr. Lewis
was. and therefore Colon Jones could
r0l wei answer that question.
GENERAL ANDEBsON'S REFUTA-
TlON.
The committee at this juncture con-
sdered the matter OF adjournment. but
General Anderson requested them 20 per
nit himself and his friends 10 go on the
stand. and refute the "senseless prosecu-
ton TO which they had been subjected.
The committee granted his request and
be took the stand. and said.
81 hope" said he. chat tne onus will
be put on the parties who have brought
this charge. There are two sDecihc
charges-frss that / hadn't the right 10
preside over this election, and. secondly,
that ] suppressed a proxy. 1 propose 10
show their falsity."
The General then referred 10 the meet
ing of the committee last week and a
question of recollection occurred between
himself and Mr.. Lewis. provoking a per-
sonal turn. which the committee frOwned
down uDon.
DIDN'T KNOW HE WAS TO BE
PROSECUTED.
General Anderson said ne had no idea
that De was 20 be prosecuted until he
entered the hall last night. He told of
several elections of officers over which
he had presided. and said he hadn't. i'm
his career, seen a proxy al one OF them
scented that OF Colonel Gaines was pre-
sentod. Witness detailed the meetings
and read the orders Of the Governor di-
recting him 10 preside over the gather
ings. He then told of the proxy. and
said that he been instructed bv the Gov
ernOr in case the deadlock continued to
report 10 him what the temper OF the
officers was. He did so after the dead
lock ensued. and ordered a recess until
he could communicate with the Gov
ernor Major Burrows followed him TO
the elevator. and handed him Colonel
Gainess proxy in 2 sub rosa manner"
TO give 10 the Governor. He did not think
after reflection. that 10 give that proxy
10 the Governor would be a square thing
TO do. without notifying the other Off
Major Burrows. Several ballots were
taken subsequent to that, and the proxy
was not presented.
ABSOLUTELY NO"
Mr.. Hundlev asked witness II he was
a party TO the election of any one and
received the emphatic reply Absolutely
no.
General Anderson read to the COM
mittee the card published in the Dispatch
some months agO in reference TO the
Gaines proxy. He also laid before the
committee the minutes Of the various
meetings in question Mr.. Lewis put the
Adiutant-General through a cross -exami-
nation. after which Colonel Baker took
the stand. he testified that he had no
idea that there was anything improper
In the manner OF General Phnlips's cleo
tion.
NO IMPROPER CONDUCT
Colonel G. A. Nash was next called.
and testified that he knew of no con-
duct on the part of either the Governor
or the Adiutant-General which could in
any way have Influenced the election.
He expressed great distress at the evil
dent strife In the service. and said that
as On old soldier he desired to say that
the military bills which were being intro
duced in the House were iniuring the SER
vice.
General Phillips, Colonel Hodges.
Major Taylor, Major Watson. and Major
Sands were asked the same questions
propounded to Colonel Nash In reference
10 the conduct Of the Governor and the
dlutant-General. and they expressed
themselves as being satisfied that the
election was not Influenced bv either gem
teman. General Phillips also detailed
what occurred in the meeting which
elected him
Major W. NJ. Evans made statement
concerning the action Of General Ander-
son with reference TO the Brigadier-Gen-
araIs election. and said he knew ne
maintained an absolutely neutral posi-
tion.
The committee rose without taking any |
action to meet again next Thursday
night at o'clock in the hail Of the House.
II CHARTERS REPEALED.
Governor Signs fbe RfIls AunuiIfn..