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


company, the virginia Incorporating ant
Trust Corporation. was very brond.
Mr.. Upshur then took tho stand,
tho reqnest of the chairman.
Mr.. Byrd asked tho question:
Cues. There has been some question
hero as to the nature Of the work 70,
did In the commissions Have you an.
letters from any OF tho commissioners
regarding your work.
| Ans. I have, sir, but they are IN m,
Office. Will go get them.
! MIR. Upshur secured the letters ant
continued (fTe here road n letter writ
ten by Messra. CruinD and Stuart anc
endorsed by Mr.. Fairfax. to ship com
| pany, In which he fUpsl1url was highly
endorsedD
Be Officer of Both.
Mr.. Byrd: 1t is important for this COM
mittee to know this:
CUES. Suppose you and Lanier and
tyler and Newly had become interested
IN tho Virginia Corporation Company,
what results would have followed?
Ans. The officers Of ono might have
been the officers OF the other
Ques. Suppose, Mr.. Tyler had cared
to act improperly In office, could he have
been apprehended7
Ans He could not.
CUES. Has the Auditor any check on
the commission?
Ails. No, not on the registration fees
and franchise tax.
Mr.. Garter then asked the witness this
questions:
CUES. These evils could not have oc-
Cured unless the officials were corrupt?
Ans. No. i think they would have to
be corrupt. tss
Cues. (Nrr. Carter repeated his ques-
ton). .s.
Ans. I think not.
Mr. Upshur then stood aside.
Lanier Reads Paper.
Major Lanier then asked permission
to read a paper.
ut is short" said Major 1anier.
"shortness is so variable" replied Mr..
Byrd, "but go ahead"
Major Lanier then read the follow
Ing statement:
Mr.. Chairmnn.-It was not my purpose
to have anything further to say In this
controversy. but after listening
to Judge Crlimps' testimony.
feel that justice to myself demands that
/ correct some false Impressions which
Judge Crump's testimony is calculated to
produce. My own sense OF duty In this
regard has been strengthened and forth
fed by the advice OF friends. and particu-
larly Mr.. Royal. my counsel, with whom
have been in touch since this investiga-
ton began.
Insofar as the people OF this particular
and the passing hour are
concerned. I might with very great pro-
priety rest this case without another
word from me. but It Is not the present
moment only that concerns me, but also
the ultimate verdict of posterity, for the
record of this case will continue TO speak
long after the present generation has
passed away. At the opening OF this
1 conceived that Judge
Crump was being made the unfortunate
victim OF a harmless indiscretion, and
the wrong that he had
determined to protect and de-
fend him in so far as I could without de-
parting from the paths of truth.
1t is manifest from his testimony that
he did not appreciate the spirit that ami,
mated me in what I did. hut on the
contrary has spoken lightly and trlfling-
ly Of this matter and manifestly sought
to impose upon me the burden and re-
sponsibilty of IT all.
"Would Be President"
moment that am seeking to evade any
burden or responsibility that rightly and
justly belongs to me. but cannot permit
my Integrity and character to suffer or
be sacrificed in his interest. 1t therefore
becomes necessary for me to state GER
tain facts and circumstances which show
conclusiveiy that Judge Crump's con-
nection with this company and subscrip-
ton to Its capital stock, which believe
to be. absolutely innocent in themselves,
were not matters to which he gave only
a passing consideration and which made
no impression upon his mind amidst the
multitudinous duties that were engaging
his attention at that time.
Il held several conferences with Judse
Crump in regard to this scheme, and his
interest In 1t was as lively and as sin
cere as that OF any man to whom I
spoke In regard to 1t. We had at that
president of the American National
Bank. to make the business of this COM
pany part of a trust company which he
and some OF his friends at that time pro-
posed to organize with capital stock of
at least 10000, II remember correctly,
and 1t was at his (Mr. Sands) suggestion
that the charter we applied for contained
the broad purposes that have been the
subject Of so much comment.
Il expected one afternoon to NEE Mr..
Sands and his associates in conference in
time for the meeting l went to Judge
Crump and asked him If he would au-
tEorize me to say to these gentlemen, IL
the suggestion was made, that he would
consider resigning his position on fthe
Corporation Commission and take the
OF this proposed trust COM
pany, and he authorized me so to do,
though I will say that he went on to
State that he did not like to leave the
SO soon, as the work had
not progressed far enough. and that 1t
would look like deserving a sacred trust
and perhaps subject him to the criticisms
Of the people, or words to. that effect.
1t Is. therefore. manifest that Judge
Crump either gave the organization Of
This company most serious and thought
ful consideration. or that he trifled with
I business proposition which appeared,
1t the time. to be of great magnitude. Do
rot understand me as Implying or In
ending to say that Judge Crump was
'ctuated by any improper motive In all
his matter. for I believe. on the con-