Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-11

efforts in this direction, and placed Colo
mel Stubs on the stand, first explaining
that he was acting as the Grand Com
manders counsel entirely without hope of
reward, and only because Of the friendship
that had existed between them for more
than thirty years. Colonel Stubs made
frank statement TO the committee,
though when he told Of his experiences
around the gaming table, he became
greatly embarrassed, and frequently hesi-
tated. explaining subsequently, that the
knowledge that he had INDUCED in such
vices would go to his family for the first
time, and would prove a source of great
grief to them. He admitted having fire.
quently played poker with Mr.. Womack
and others, but reiterated his statement
made the day before that he had never
received one cent from publishing-house
or from one of its agents for any infiu-
ence he might use in its behalf.
WOMACK NAMED CAPTAIN CUSSONS.
When Colonel Stubbs left the stand the
committee read a telegram they had re-
eeiyed from Mr. womack. announcing
that he was en- route TO Richmond TO
testify, and they decided to adjourn over
until $3.50 o'clock in order that he might
make his statement. Mr.. Womack was
on hand when the committee reassembled
and went Immediately on the stand,
where he remained for upwards of two
hours. In his telegram he had said that
the most he had had to say concerning
school histories had been to an eX-Grand
Commander, and as Colonel Smoot was
an ex-Grand Commander he retired from
the rostrum until after Mr.. Womack
had explained who he referred to in this
telegram. The question was propounded
10 the witness soon after he took the
stand and he unhesitatingly said that he
referred TO Captain John Cussons.
A DRAMATIC MOMENT.
CAPTAIN Cussons sat on the platform
lust at the feet of the witness, and no
sooner had his name been mentioned in
this connection than he raised himself
"a his full height and demanded that the
witness explain himself. Mr.. Womack
promptly asserted that he meant nothing
derogatory TO Captain Cussons, and he
went on at length to explain that he had
the highest admiration for that gentle
mans honor and had never made to,
nor received from, him any proposition
Of any nature whatsoever. II should
saw not" calculated Captain Cussons, as
he again settled himself in his seat and
the investigation was proceeded with.
Mr.. Womack made general and sweep
ing denial of the allegations that the
American Book Company had ever at
tempted TO unduly influence any veteran
or son Of a veteran in the State of Vir-
ainia. and said that he hoped the COM
mittee believed that he, personally was
TOO honorable man TO be party to any
such transaction.
The committee gave Mr.. Womack the
widest latitude in his testimony, as 1t mad
done Mr.. Stubs, and when he concluded
they called upon any one present who
knew aught that the committee should
he advised of to come forward and make
u known. Several minutes were spent
in waiting for a response TO this invita-
,ion but none being made. Chairman
Woods announced that the taking OF evil
dence had been concluded and that the
committee would at once proceed to for
mulate It's report.