The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-03-27
Az The provqsions OF this bill from,
ten to fifteen per cent. Of the amount ~


IAN "a 1ftecr nc, cent. OF the amount
recovered, without the consent o.
Ms conferees. we believe. however,
he was actuntei by his friendship for
Conway II. Sands. who. as disclosed
TX II, The evidence. was the author OF tine
biz and expected TO be appointed by
the Governor MS the special agent II
Notwithstanding the many viclssitudes
and attempted alterations to which this
BIZ was subjected. youf committee deems
II proper to state that It eventually passed
ana became a law III the forii, and shape
Intended by the legislative body.
..fn the course Of the Investigation 1t
came to the know ledge of your commits
tee that 4 check for SIS had been sent to
the enrolling clerk, w. s. Gooch, By a.
AZ Campbell and other attorneys for the
South and Western Railway Company,
through the medium OF Clerk Joseph But
ton Mr.. Gooch had done some extra ell :
rolling work. for which the parties Mt In
terest thought he should be COMPENSATED.
Strong Condemnation.
1t will he noted that no iirlucsme,lt
had been held out for doing this extra
work, and compensation therefor was
offered only after the same had heen per-
formed. MI. Goocl declined to accept
the check Your committee find that no,
fraud or bribery was either attempted or
committed, and while generating all tho
parties ia this transaction ofIHny intent,
your committee does desire to, express It's
strong condemnation OF the practice Of
Offering money. either as pay OF reward,
to public officers and employees for doing
public duty since such practice must
Inevitably lead to corruption.
Tho committee recommends that the
lrules be so amended as to require the
xnrolinE clerk to enroll bills In the order
& which they pass the General Assembly
= In relation to the East Radford bill. In
volving the date Of All election, the COM
mittee finds that the amendment had been
put on with pen and Ink and had become
blurred. and that there was no fraud or
attempted fraud in connection with this
bill.
This report Is signed by John ".
Churchman (chairman). r. T. Gregory,
Aylett r. Coleman and John P. Neimeyer.
Minority Report.
Senator r. Ashby Wickhum. Of Hen
rico. files dissenting report, in which he
savs in part: II do not hlnk that evil
dence shows that either Mr.. Sands or. Mr..
Shield has done anything in this matter
forbidden by law or good morals.
AS to Mr.. Fuller, 1t appears that IN
writing he conference report he acted
hurriedly and without sufficient warrant
in assuming that Mr.. Chapman knew
OF and approved his proposed amend
ment in the Conference Committee
changing the agents compensation from
ten to fifteen per cent, but II does not
appcar that he acted in lad falth. On
the contrary, he discussed his proposed
amendment with Mr. Howle, who was
The chief opponent Of the Senate bill then
in conference. II does not appear TO me
that any person ought 10 be mentioned In
a. public document in a manner calcu-
lated to cast suspicion upon MN I'M
less the facts are so specifically stated
that It Is clear what Is the Improper
conduct with which he Is charged
n think 1t was improper IN Mr.
Button, clerk Of the Senate, to sug-
Eest TO Mr. Campbell that he give
check OF s25 to Mr.. Gooch. the en-
rolling clerk, either as pay or reward
for the doing Of Il public duty ny
Mr.. Gooch, and that it was equally
improper in Mr.. Campbell to accept
and act upon this suggestion. And
While fulllng acquftting both Mr.. But
ton and Mr.. Campbell Of any COR
rupt or wrongful attempt. ! think
their acts were improper and should
t,e in this rcsport so specifically stated.
The conduct OF Mr. Gooch. however, In
the matter of enrolling bills Is, in
large measure, If not entirely. eS-%
cused by the fact that the like his
been frequently heretofore done and
without complaint" -
Senator Wickham holds that Mr.. Gooch
aeed without warrant Of law and. there
fore, improperly. The minority report
concluding, says: $50
Mr. Gooch in refusing the check for
SOS. deserves that communication which
every man Is entitled to who does his
duty"