The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-16
SENATOR ON HIS METTLE.
MIR. FLANAGiN, or POWHfTAN,
REPLIES TO CAPT. WISE.
He says the destinations Against Him
Referred to Grew Out of Charge That
He Had Misappropriated s1.JO.

In the Senate yesterday Mr. Flanagan,
OF Powhatan, arose 10 a question OF per-
sonal privilege. and read the following
extract from lion. George II. Nise's re-
marks IN the report OF the proceedings
OF the Committee on Privileges and Eiec-
lions when considering the Parrish-Flan-
morning.
II viii say 10 you, sir. that there are
as many insinuations In the county OF
fowhatan against you a. there are
against tariss. They are Just as serious
and you cannot deny it,
MI. Flanagan said.
Il regret very much the necessity that
forces me for the second time to aNail
myself or the rules or the senate Wnlch
enables me TO appear before you to-day
l would refrain from doing so but for the
fact that l am assured that the RUE IN
question IS intended not only Tor the pro-
lection OF the individual member OF the
Senate, but also for the purpose OF pre-
serving the honor and dignity OF this
body. In this respect / regard the rule
a Just one. for I look upon the Senate or
Virginia as one OF the highest bodies mat
assemblies within the limits OF our nation,
and no unworthy man should be allowed
to sit here
Il observe that the word Insinuaton'
is selected By Mr.. Wise. but do not
know what kind OF insinuation has been
made against me in Powhatan or else
where nor did he inform the committee
on that point ] desire, however, 10 say
10 senators that / stand prepared 10 meet
any charge which any man can make or
has been made against my private char
acter.
THE CHARGE AGAINST HIM.
when | begn my canvass for seat
in this body / vas careful ana fearless
then as / am now to fling my personal
character 10 the breeze and invoke the
most perfect investigation and inquiry
into H.
From the language and conduct of
Captain Wise on that occasion, and from
facts that have reached me since nave
been a member Of this body, am iorceu
10 believe that the insinuation made by
him had reference to an episode which
occurred in the county OF pOwhatan in
the early years Of my manhood and IN
the commencement OF my humble political
career.
The charge was made against me I'm
that county that / had defrauded the
commonwealth Of Virginia out OF the sum
of one dollar and fifty cents. That charge
was Investigated by jury OF my peers
composed. ] was about to say entirely
of Democrats and men opposed 10 me
politically. The result Of that investiga-
ton was the finding Of me not guilty. or
the charge. IL II but just for me 10 say
~ connection with that tria! that ! was
seized by the people Immediately upon
the rendering OF the verdict and was
horne out with n yell upon their shout
ders and was not permitted to touch the
ground until | reached my hotel.
CAPTAIN WISE OFFERED TO DE-
FEND HIM.
1T is also Just to myself 10 say that in
that case no less parsonage than Mr..
Wise stood by my side and voluntarily
offered TO give me his valuable services
In that investigation without fee or re-
ward II Is also true that the Hon. sam
uel L. Coleman. now the judge or the
al cir IF
wise and gave me the benefit OF his
splendid abilities without zee or reward.
II is also true that Mr. Willis y. smith,
now distinguished member Of the Rich
mOnd bar, volunteered his services IN
that case. and when the argument was
proceeding he arose without solicitation
on my part. or even consultation with
me or my counsel. and declared that the
prosecution against me was an outrage
upon an innocent man, and gave this as
an explanation OF his course.
ELECTED COMMEMORATIVE AT
TORNEY.
Immediately after that investigation
the people OF my county elected me 10
the Office ~ Commonwealth's Attorney
Of that county Instead Of my leaving
the county wherein ! appeared volun-
tarily for trial. / was elected Common
wealth's Attorney at the next election,
was reelected. and again reelected. ana
i'm the last election. when | ran for a
seat in this Senate. 1 received from those
people twice a much majority az my OPP
pOnent received votes.
II assert and reiterate the challenge
for the Hon George -. Wise or ans body
else 10 make good against my private
character any charge or any OF his in
situations and I say that / challenge
the Senate of Virginia. and each one OF
its individual members, 10 the closest
scrutiny into all OF my actions. II the
Senate is not satisfied with the statement
that / make in this regard, I invite and
challenge each member 20 ascertain Icy
the adoption OF a proper resolution al
lowing the committee before which that
statement was made 10 make. any in
quiry they may see tit, and let that COM
mittee investigate and report as 10
whether or not l am worthy of a seat i'm
this honorable body"