Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-19
He Testifes at Length, and fs SUBJ
3ected TO n Rigid Cross-Examina-
tson-Protest Against HIS Being
tfon of Mr.. FoIkes.

and concluded the taking or testimony,
announcing when they adjourned, at 10
minutes after o'clock. that they would
begin at once the preparation of their
report to the Grand Camp
Last nights sitting was decidedly the
most animated held by the committee,
and was full Of dramatic Incidents. Mr..
c. y. West, one of the gentlemen most
greatly concerned in the investigation,
did not make his appearance at tho ses-
sion being still in New York, and his
fathers request for a further postpone
ment was denied.
Before the committee assembled for the
Investigation Commander e. p. Cox, OF
the Sons State organization, raped the
gathering to order, and stated that Mr..
Afinitree Folkes desired TO make a state
ment. Immediately the many spectators
gave their undivided attention. and Mr..
Folkes ascended TO the platform amid
absolute silence. He addressed himself
20 the audience and apologized to the
committee for the utterances Of his
brother, Mr.. Z. c. Folkes, made on the
previous evening, saying these utterances
were the result of an unruly tongue, and
that the charges made against two MEM
bers of the committee were without any
foundation in fact. He said he was per-
fectly willing TO stand trial before he
committee, and then made q statement
correcting evidence he had given on the
preceding night. He made good inn
preston on the crowd. and was literally
npplauded when be took his seat
HE NET MR.. WOMACK.
The committee convened when Mr..
Foxes concluded, and Mr.. Folkes was
called to the stand. He said that in his
previous testimony he had stated that he
met no one when he left Mr.. Massey's
room on the occasion of his visit to him
on the night that the Mahood resolutions
anath emadzng Mr.. Massey were defeat
ed. He desired to correct this by stating
that he did meet Mr. j. W. Womack In
the hall as he emerged from Mr. Massey's
room.
Mr.. Lecky, when Mr.. Folkes concluded,
stated that he had been made aware OF
the fact that Mr., West had not returned
10 the city, but that the investigation
would not wait longer for him. Captain
Wise. Mr.. Vests counsel, said he would
offer no objection to this, and then be
stated that, though unsolicited, he would
appear for Mr. Folkes as well as for Mr..
West. He desired it understood, how
ever. that he, was not acting as paid
attorney, but simply as the friend of the
two gentlemen, and because of his jnte-
rest in the matter under investigation.
The first evidence taken was concern
Ing Mr.. Folkes's visit to Mr.. Massey, and
Messrs. Arden, Howell, n. Lodor, and
Edmund Christian. who were boarding in
the same house with Mr., Massey, testified
TO having seen Messrs. Folkes, Womack,
and Massey emerge from room together.
This room, Mr.. Howell said was set apart
for the use Of Mr. Henry. general agent
for the University Publishing Company,
who was however, not at home at the
time.
This concluded this line of testimony
and the statement of MIR. Folkes, in which
he denied having given the Massey reso-
lutions out for publication in the Times.
was taken up.
Mr.. W. ID. Chesterman Of the Dis
patch. testified that Mr.. Werner of the
Times. who. on the preceding night re-
fused TO testify. had told him yesterday
morning that he had gotten the resolu-
tions from Mr.. Folkes.
PLEA FOR HIS ABSENT SON.
proceedings began here. Mr.. Herbert c.
Duce upon whose statements the inyes-
tigation is based, was called TO the stand,
and arising, slowly walked toward the
witness-chair Before he took his seat,
though, Mr. S. Brock. West father of
Mr.. clyde b. West, who is still in New
York. briefly addressed the committee. |
lie urged the committee, as a matter of |
justice to his son. TO defer for another |
day the taking Of that part of the testi- |
mony that In the absence Of Mr.. West
might reflect upon him, while II he were |
pres ne might disprove II at once. His |
appeal was a calm, yet pathetic one, and |
Chairman Lecky responded with con-
siderable feeling. Mr.. Lecky explained |
that Mr., West had been shown all rea-
sonable indulgence. and that If his in
teresis suffered by his continued |
absence. he would have only himself TO
blame MIR. West again protested, but |
without avail. Captain Wise then ex-
planned that he could not consistently |
ask for a further delay. and the exami-
nation OF Mr.. Duce was proceeded with. |
lie was questioned principally by Mr.. |
Lecky. and answered promptly. and APP
IN a frank manner. all the ques-
tlons propounded TO him. While he pro-
aeeded with his evidence Mr.. Lamb |
went oyer written statement that Mr..
Duce had prepared, and made some
pemofanda therefrom. Mr.. Duce told
of conversations that he had had with
Mr. West, and how Mr. West
had besought him not 10 forsake
him and testify against him. He
suggested his willingness 10 avoid
testifying. and even to leave the city. IL
need be. Mr.. West advised against this.
he said. because he thought II would
make things oiacker than ever Wit
meas said that he had convetsed with
Aar Foxes also concerning the inyesti- ]