The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-27
Not Possible to Change.

4NSl \ OSSibiS W q
State Corporation Commission.
Gentlemen,-R eSerring TO my personal
interview on the afternoon of May 18th
with Chairman Crump and Commissioner
Stuart:
In that interview these gentlemen sug-
gcs;ed to me that eliminate certain por-
tons OF my report of April 18th and stated
that iGaior' I-anier. by his counsel. Mr..
w. l.. ROYAL. may institute u suit for
damages. based upon certain statements
made by me in my privileged coInmunica-
tons. as your clerk, to You. AS commits
si"ners of the State CORPORATION Commits
sion. charging him with malfeasance in
Office.
fully -
do not see how 1t is possible. at this
tatesfiates and after action has been taken
by YOU my communications above re-
ferred to, resulting In your request FOR
Major Lanier's resignation as first asss-
tant clerk OF this commission. for me to
make any change or modification.
! still hold the opinions as therein ex-
pressed, and any modification OF my
charges or remarks Mt this time would
destroy the Integrity and change the
character of my reports which preceded
the action you subsequently took, and
which action have already protested
against. "a
If reports, modified as Nh. Stuart sug-
gested.s were fiIeds by Major I.anier's
counsel In his declaration i could not
then swear that they were the reports
/ made to you.
The reasons, animating me. and as ex-
pressed In my reports to you remain un-
changed and the elimination of the por-
tons indicated would evidence an in
decision or doubt on my part, which do
not feel.
The reports and comments regarding
the Others named, ] cannot find any ex-
cuse for modifying. but, on the contrary.
my Indignation against them. due to their
acts subsequent to my reports, has in
| called upon to assist Majoc Lanier in this
matter. by furnishing him copy of my
reports. greatly prefer that they be
given in full as originally written.
i have duly considered the consequences
courts the-possibility of which you have
/ cannot feel. however. that my duty
10 the state should cause me to be guilty
would place me in false position 'ls',ss
II. The he. copy OF my report Of April n.
Stuart on tina. date and which he volrin-
tarilS handed to me. on the 18th instant,
after marking the objectionable portions,
which l enclose 20 Gomm mini stuart i.
NTH rs great regret that cannot meet
,e'-,' 49, : JOHN 4. 'HSPsHUR,
Clerk st 1, &C, Gorp9ration Gonm n jsn
To the commissioners, State Corporation
GentIemss. supplemcnling my letter
at noon on that date with Chairman
crump and Commissioner stuart:
stuart s fhaf tho m
and myself on May 10 he made perfectly
clear as to his suggestion regarding the
charges made by me and a copy of same
having tfbpenl rpntlpStaI Nv Mr. w L..
Royall as counsel for Major Lanler. j
Wish WIS to state that commissloner Stuart
my charges. but suggested as, a friendly
act to me, that-I authorize the elimina-
ton of all matter, not supported by evil
ment perfectly plain and clear. I repeat
In full below the portions of my report
BY him to be sA 50 elimIna i .'Au sussss''u
Commissioner Stuart sttaed that this
friendly suggestion was prompted by a
Royal had advised the commissioners
that he would bring a damage suit for
MS ms client Major Ianier;, and as my con,
the fact that this suit was not to be
brought against them, either personally
or oftlelatlEy the only In, Inference n can
against me.
The quotations referred to are as fol-
lows:
the existing state of affairs will not only
bring this commission into contempt and
disrepute, hut will be u stain upon the
fair name of the State, the commissioners
and the Governor l wish 1t to be dis
tlnctlysunderstood that no personal foel-
ing other than contempt and abhorrence
Is animating me in making this report,
which is to be construed as official only,
and to lay the several matters before
you and to express my loathing and con-
tempt and most outraged sense of pro-
prieties, and to lay bare tho most fragrant
nalfeasances of Office. which has ever come
to my personal notice.
He feigned surprise Mt my refusal, and
as an judgement had the audacity to tell
me that Judge Crump, the chairman Of
this commission, had gone over the mat
ter with him in all It's details and not
only approved Of the scheme, but would
become financially interested in II and
lend It his support and give It his assist
nnce You may imagine that did not
believe this statement, for 1t was too
monstrons to give It even passing
| thought
THE confidence thus reposed in him
J by the chairman Of tho commission was