Evening star., 1897-05-12
ALEXANDRIA COUNTY
Governor O'Ferran Submits to an In
terview on Its Affairs.
WILL SOON APPOINT 4 JUDGE
He Reiterates His Determination to
Stop lynching in Virginia.
CHARACTERISTIC REMARKS
Evening Star Bureau,
No. 529 King street,
Bell Telephone. No IO6

Evening Star Bureau,
No. 529 King street,
Bell Telephone, No. 106,
ALEXANDRIA, Va, May II, 1897.
AS stated yesterday. his excellency. Chas
T. OFerran. governor Of Virginia. with
the board of visitors, paid an official visit
to Mount Vernon yesterday for the pur-
pose Of making their annual inspection
After the inspection was over a stan
correspondent Of The Star had a long
talk with the governor in regard to mat
ters that have been under discussion in
this vicinity for some weeks past.
We'll. governor. have you decided whom
you will appoint Judge of Fairfax and
Alexandria county courts to succeed the
late Judge Chichester
mo, cannot say that have. Mr.. Love
is a warm personal friend Of mine, and
has been for a long number of years, and
as for Colonel Bailey every one knows
that 1 am ford Of him. I am in a guam
dary as yet.
win you decide shortly?"
Yes, I expect to make the appointment
this week. The position is such an I'M
portant one that I must study 1t closely.
The position as judge Of such a county as
Alexandria county is one OF vast import
ance. This county causes me more worry
than all the counties in the state.
What about the code Of Virginia stat
ing that the judge must be a resident of
the judicial district over which he pre-
sides?"
'Oh, that is true II an outsider were
appointed he would have to at once move
into the district in order to hold the office"
Gov. O'Ferrall talked at length on the
condition Of affairs in Alexandra county
and seemed diegusted at the inability of
the Alexandra county officers to put down
the vice ard immortality known to exist
there. He appeared very much gratified to
know that there Is not q single policy shop
or gambling den now running in Alexan-
dria city.
Determined to Stop Lynching.
THE people of Alexandria hare criticised
me very much for investigating the lynch
ing of Mccoy, the negro ravisher Of Mr.
Lacey's little daughter said the gov
ernor. What did they expect of the gov
ernor Of Virginia? Could he be expected
to wink at such open violation of the law?
hardly think So"
The governor said that this is only the
second lynching that has taken place In
the state of Virginia durins, his Administered
ton. Lynching, he said, had reached a
high stage, and he determined when he
took the oath Of Office to break it up IL
possible. and he has always used the
militia when necessary to prevent mob
violence. He very much deplored the lynch
ing OF Mccoy, and seemed grieved that in
city the size of Alexandra, with a No. 1
police force and the crack military COM
pany of the state, a lynching could have
taken place. The governor understands
that the Alexandria Light Infantry was
rot ordered out to protect Mccoy from the
lynchers,. but does not understand why
they were not called on.
What could have stopped that lynch
ing?' asked Gov. OFerrall Of The Star re-
porter.
Nothing but the shedding of great
deal Of BLOOD was the response.
To this no reply was made Gov. O'Fer-
rail- heartily condemned the Alexandria
newspapers for the position taken by them,
and their unjust and harsh criticism of his
official action.
Speaking of sending the militia to Fairfax
Court House to prevent the lynching Of
James Lewis, who is condemned to hang
June for raviShing Mrs. lido Reidel, Gov.
OFerrall said: II was at Old Point Com
fort, just about to start on a pleasure
cruise, when I received a telegram from
Sheriff Gordon of Fairfax, asking me to
was imminent. On this request / at once
telegraphed the Charlottesville company to
hasten to the scene, and IL necessary to
take a special train. I never got any later
request to withhold the troops, as has been
alleged"
Surprised Mt the Soldiers.
The governor was more than surprised
at the alleged action of the Monticello
Guards, who, it is said. stacked thirty
seven loaded Winchester rifles on the lawn
near the court house at Fairfax. and went
to the hotel for supper. leaving only one
man on guard. while talk Of lynching was
going on on all sides, and the excitement
at the highest pitch.
The governor said that had Lewis been
lynched under those conditions he would
certainly have afsban3ed the company the
next day.
THE state of Virginia cannot afford to
keep militia simply for parade purposes.
hnv ITO nn a w
then we are better off without them"
Touching again On the subject of the
judgeship Of Alexanoria and Fairfax
county the governor before leaving Mount
Vernon said: You may feel assured that
I feel the great Importance of being more
than careful in selecting judge for these
courts, and shall. to the best Of my ability,
pick the right man for the place. 1 want
to break up the lawlessness in Alexandra
county If possible. and shall strain every
nerve to do so.''
The governor did not express himself on
the political situation.
The Aspirants.
1t is believed here that Mr.. Love will un-
doubtedly receive the appointment He is
the senior member Of the Fairfax bar. He
is the unanimous choice of the Fairfax and
Alexandra county bars. and Gov. O'Ferrall
remarked to the committee who called on
him in the interest of Mr. Barley: Col
Love has been a lifelong personal friend of
mine, and. gentlemen, he carries an armless
sleeve as a result Of the late unpleasant
ness. Gov. O'Ferrau Is a staneh con-
federate veteran, and 1t Is believed that this
will greatly influence him In his selection
Nothing Is to be said against Mr. Barley,
the other aspirant for the position, except
that he is not a resident of either Alex.
andria or Fairfax counties. He is a prom
inent young attorney and has the indorse-
ment Of the Alexandria city bar.
Pastor Appointed.
The presiding elder Of Washington dis
trict. Rev. Luther B. Wilson. D. D.. after
consultation with Bishop Mallalieu and the