Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-06-03
LIVES IN THE WARD.
OLD DOMINION CLUB so DECIDES IN
THE MILLER CASE.
DIVORCE QUESTION NOT CONSIDERED.
Report Only Contained
Copy OF the Dccrcc-The Council
stnin--A stormy Session Last Night.

Stnin--A stormy Session Last Night.
The O.d Dominion Democratic Club, OF
Jefferson Ward, at called meeting last
night, disposed of the allegations previ-
ously made In that organization against
Mr.. Albert Miller, a member Of the Com
mon Council from that ward. No more
stormy session Of this old club was ever
he'd. 1t was thought several times that
the meeting would end in tumult. instead
Of in good order. as was the case.
The club decided. by vote of II TO 2,
to adopt the report of the committee ap-
pointed TO investigate the rumors with
reference to Mr.. Aliller's residence, &c,
and refused to consider the allegations
or the decree of the Law and Equity
Court dealing with the divorce granted
the wife Of Mr.. Miller. The discussions
were spicy and serious. but the idea that
it was political organization in which
they were made, and not a school of
morals, was the one which prevailed.
1t was sought by the opponents Of the
committees report to show that the
councilman gave as his name Albert Mil
ler while the decree in the divorce pro-
ceedings showed that they were against
B Miller. This was done with a view Of
revealing that no one by the name Of y.
Miller lived in jefferson Ward, and yet
that it was actually B. Miller VINO held
the seat in the Common Council. This
scheme was frustrated, and Mr.. Miler's
explanation of the difference i'm the given
name as made to Dispatch man after
the meeting, was that he was chrstened
ALBERT Miller, but was always called
Bert" Miller, was married as Bert
Miller, and that his wife's counsel had
advised her to institute the proceedings
against Bert Miller.
THE CLUE AT WORK.
The club was raped to order by Presi-
dent Wood, who az once stated that the
object of the meeting was to hear the
report of the committee appointed 10
look into and report upon the matter of
the residence of Councilman Albert
Miller. The Chair stated that the club
was ready to hear from this committee
Mr.. Gibbons. as chairman Of the COM
mittee. reported that it had been learned
by that body that the member of the
Council under investigation did reside in
Jefferson Ward, and the report was ac-
cOmpanied by a copy Of the decree of the
Law and Equity Court granting the
divorce 10 Mrs. Miller. The report pro-
voked some heated discussion during
which the club agreed, upon motion Of
Captain John \. Curtis, TO have Mr..
Miller present, if he choose to come.
MR.. MILLER IN THE ROOM.
Mr.. Miller was soon on hand, and
the discussion Of the report pro-
ceeded. The Chair decided that
the only matter before the body was
the report of the committee upon the
residence of Mr.. Miller. This ruling pro-
vol0ed about an hour Of spicy debate.
Captain John A. Curtis spoke at length,
arguing that the decree was a part Of
the report and should be taken into care
ful consideration by the club.
He referred to the fact that the decree
showed that II was against b. Miller,
and not Albert Miller. and that no 'B.'
Miller lived in Jefferson Ward. Captain
Curtis spoke of the reasons which should
prompt a man 10 hold sacred the ties
between himself and his wife. and why
weak woman should be defended, and
not wrecked by man.
He was followed in his remarks by
Mr.. Gibbons chairman of the commit
tee, who asserted that the report before
the body had been brought i'm after a
fair impartial, and conscientious invest-
cation of the matters the committee was
instructed TO investigate. He had no
axes to grind, no favors to confer but
did not think that the club had anything
to do with Mr.. Milier's private life.
Mr.. Mullen spoke next, and he advo-
Gated the reading and consideration of
the decree Mr.. Stern thought the club
had nothing to do with the divorce mat
nd H. 4le vie
Of the matter.
Mir. Mullen appealed from the decision
of the Chair. and the Chair was sus-
tanned.
A SECOND REPORT.
1t was then decided that the commit
tee should retire for a few minutes and
report upon the question of whether or
not the decree should be read. In about
ten minutes the committee returned and
submitted the following:
"In pursuance of resolution adopted
by the Old Dominion Democratic Club,
on May %, 1897, the undersigned com
mittee have investigated the charges
made against Mr.. Miller, and find his
residence is in jefferson Ward; that he
has performed his political duties faith-
fully. and we know of no stain on his
political career. This. in our opinion,
covers the jurisdiction Of the club.
But in further pursuance OF the reso-
luton. we find that he was legally di-
vorced from his wife September To- 1896:
therefore. be it
"Resolved. That Mr.. Miller be ex-
onerated from political charges made
against him, and that further agitation
of this matter cease, and that this
resolution be adopted by the Old Do
minion Democratic Club. We hereby sub
nit the decree"
SEVERE ON MIR. MILLER.
Mr.. Mullen offered motion that Mr..
Carpenter, father-in-law of Mr.. Miller,
be allowed TO make a statement relative
TO Mr.. Nliller's divorce. and that this
statement be made q part Of the com
mittee's report. Mr. Mullen argued his
motion with force and in scathing Ian
euage, saying that Mr.. Miller, in his opin
ion. was not a proper person TO repre-
sent jefferson Ward in the Common Coun-
ell.
After some further discussion the club,
by a vote of II TO ., adopted the com
mittee's report and adjourned.