The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-03-01

NOW, ] felt that with such life
and such a character, and such SER
vice to his State, as | and my coll,
leagues could freely attest to. IL was
vain for any man to attempt to build
character If one indiscretIon should
weigh against 1t and determine that
character.
"a say without hesitation that I az
consider Judge crunp as high man
and as honorable man as have
ever been in contact wlth."--Com I
missioner Henry G. Stuart In his
testimony last night.
The third days session of the legis.a-
tive investigation commission WAS the
most interesting yet held in the hearing
of the so-called ''Lanier natter
That the .Laner matter is only pre-
tense has long been known. and that the
aim of the invcntigation is to ascertain 20
what extent Judge Beverly I. Crump.
chairman of the commission, was involved
with the Virginia Corporation Company
Is perfectly apparent.
There is no longer cloak of conceal
ment used in making searching inquiries
of every witness that appears upon the
stand. The pointed question Is asked nil
of them: What was Judge Crurop's.
connection with the Virginia Corporation
Company?
INC pSlllr anu l-ancir fcuu is prHc-
tically forgotten; the dismissal of lyle,
and Newly is no longer remembered
for interest centers i'll the position OF
Judge Crump and the most unfortunate
indiscrction" that caused him TO become
u stockholdcr in the company.
Thinks Highly of Cru1np.
The most interesting happenings of tho
eNcninS, was The strong statement made
by AIR. Stuart In reply 10 a question
asked by Senator Sims. in which he rc-
lated the reason why AIr. Fairfax and
himself. We're convinced of Judge Crumpis
innocensc.
Mr.. Stuart, in n manly and diEnified
manner. recalled tho many services Judge
5Crump had rendered the Comnonwcaltli:
the high esteem in which he had always
been held; the honors that had been
showercd upon him. and finally spoke OF
his honestly and simplicitysin the affairs
of everyday life.
Il do not make this statement in tho
nature of u plea make 1t as u sworn
record of facts, said Mr.. Stuart ~
must confess that regard the purchase
OF stock in the Virginia Corporation Com.
pany by Judge Crump as Il most unfor-
tunatc indiscretion, and have told Judge
ICrump. his friends and my friends. so.''
An Exciting Episode.
Another interesting. although less dig
nifed., incident occurred when Mr.. Camp
bell, general counsel of the Virginia Cor
poration Company Went upon the stand
and stated that he did not believe that
Judge Crump had been aware OF his
tCampbell's) trtivity i'll the Office OF the
Corporation hialnssion.
Alr. Campbell had hardly concluded HE
testimony whoi .,lf. Upshur. who was
sitting inganothel past al the room. ;lrose
aud requested Chairman Byrd TO permit
him to ask a question.
Nlr. I'pshur was iiSIt with anger, and
his hand. which held I, paper. shook as
he pointed u tinGel4at Mr.. Campbell and
began apsrily to change hin with har-
ling deserted to the commission
The silence in the court-room was
cnlinous, and the strain was fearful un-
til Chairman Byrds voice broke in sharp
ly. Willie he warned Mr. upshpr TO ask
| questions and moi TO make charges.
Mr.. Upshlir asked afr. Campbell. sncer.
Iingly ii his change of front was brought
| about by Il visit he and Major Lallicr
| lad paid tho commissioned during tho
ily.
MI. Campbell replied that no had MOI
spoken TO any one o. the commissioners
II have II witness who saw YOU In til,
commission office. Z thrn,derod Mr., upshui
II was in tho Office. but did not speal
to a commissioner" replied Mr., Camp.
bell, at which 4 roar of laughter shooh
tho room, and Mr. Upshur took his sea-
by Captain Barrow.
At the session this afternoon at
o'clock, 1t is thought that Judge Crumr
will be placed ON the stand, and although
his. testimony will undoutedly closely fol
low the evidence given by AIr. Stuart, his
story OF the Lanier dismissal and the
reasons that demanded 1t, VIII be of eS.
traordinary interest.
SIn his questions to Commissioner
Stuart last night, the apparent trend
of chairman BSrd's questions was to
show that the Corporation Commission
wished 10 eliminate all charges that re-
tleoted on Judge Crump, Mr.. stuart,
however, caught the cause of this ques-
tioning. and maintained that the OBJ
ject or the commission was to get as
much or Tho days made public sas was
consistent with ths rights OF ali parties
concerned, -.
Tho court-rooni WAS greatly crowded.
At one time ninety-slN persons were
standing or seated in chairs or on tho
loor Among those present wore;
John B. Lightfont. Jn, Colonel John S.
Cunningham, John Rutherfooid, Senator
Keezelt, Gcneial G, j. Anderson, Robert
Ieeky, Ir, a. p. Clarke, ", A. Moncurc.
James w, Anderson, John $, Egslestoo.
James w. anderson. John S, II ipshuI'.
Captain NJ. W. Barrow, a. s. I.anIer,
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