Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1905-08-05
Captain Willard Defends Ills Record

Gin several of the late issues of the
Culpeper Exponent, Mr.. WIZARDS
attitude toward House Bill No. 1874, |
Session of General Assembly OF 1889
1900. published in the Acts OF lS99-
1000 on page 236, commonly called
the ''Epps' or Jim Grow Car bill, has
been the subject of editorial comment
and criticism.
ON the issue of that paper last week,
the editor says, he was present at
Louisa on the 10th instant, and heard
CAPTAIN Willard admit that he moved
the Committee on Roads not to report
the Epps Bill, and that he also admit
ted that he voted against a favorable
report of the bill by the committee
Captain Willard has furnished the
following statement for publication
| in regard to same.
" The first statement made by the
editor of the Exponent, that moved
in the committee on Roads not to re-
mort the Epps Bill, is not correct. L
| made no such statements at Louisa,
nor did make such motion before the
committee. l did say, and have re-
peatedly said, that voted in commit
fee against reporting the bill without
the amendment offered by me in COM
mittee. MI
/" The facts, as reported in Rich
mond Dispatch of January 10, 1900
are correct, to the best of my knowl-
edge and belief. Therein it is stated
THAT I offered an amendment to except
the counties of Alexandria and Fair
fax from the operation of the bill, and
for this amendment, Messrs. Hume,
McAllister, Hubbard, Pitcher and L,
voted. My amendment was lost by
one vote.
90 4 then voted against reporting
} the bill without this amendment, as II
|, was nv intention at that time, to OF.
; fer nv amendment to the House, and
I did not wish to commit myself to the
) bill as reported by the committee
without amendment. On the passage
of the bill in the House, did not of
! fer the amendment, but voted for The
, bill as reported by the committee.
was never opposed to the object anC
purpose of the bill, and my action be
III fore the committee was solely IL tn
+ Interest of my immediate constituent,
and at their instance. My amend
ment was offered in good faith ant
e with no intention to hamper or defea
r the general provisions of the bill.
, was not then, and never have been
opposed to the passage and enforce
: ment of this law, and have Away
s given it my hearty approval.
n d" respectfully submit that no can
o did man, or lawyer of any repute
after giving this law as published il
the Acts, even cursory examination
will undertake to say that it is not am
biguous, and may or may not as judi
cially determined, apply to electri
y railways, as well as to roads operate
Y bv steam, whether such roads were a
y that time chartered and operating, G
y to be chartered and operated in tn
e future, l, therefore, offered tn
e amendment referred to, exemptin
Q the counties aforesaid from the opera
ton of the bill, and for the sole pul
pose of making assurance absolutel
q sure, and thereby, as my constituent
e believed, securing the completion
d the railroad since built, and no
operating to Fairfax Courthouse.
/ =" 4 have not the slightest oble'
IT ton to the people of Virginia known
It every fact and circumstance connec
70 ed with the passage of this law, :
= well as my every act in connectio
% herewith; but / do want them
s. know all the facts. /, therefore, maE
d this statement "-Times-Dispatcl
July 10.