The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-03-08
THURSDAY. MARCH $, 1906.
The Investigating COMMITTEES S
Report.

ton, The Tiftss-Dispntci, after making
every investigation possible, expressed 1T
profound confidence In thu personal lnteg
rity and honest intentions OF Judge Bev.
orly T. crump. But he Withholding OF
me Upsh,s Fepey t, for Jeasons now vel
understood. gave rise 70 popular suspi.
sion that there was some corrupt conduct
on the part Of Judge Crump, which was
being concealed by the other commission
era. In order that the standing Of the
commission might not be impaired. Ii
view of this an investigation was de-
manded. and the members of the Corpo-
ration Commission courted and welcomed
It.
On motion of Mr.. Byrd of Winchester,
the General Assembly appointed a Joint
committee to inquire into the whole sub
ject and report. Mr. Byrd himself was
made chairman of the committee. Under
the resolution the committee was instruct
ed and empowered "to inquire into the
circumstances surrounding the dismissal
of a. s. Ianier, y. NJ Tyler and j. W.
Newly from the service OF the State Cor
poration Commission. and particularly
whether these or any other person or
persons connected with said State Cor
poration Commission were guilty of any
nilfeasance or misfeasance in office, and
II So what acts or doings of said officials
or such other person or persons consti-
tuted such misfeasance OF malfeasance."
The committee was also empowered, in
the event it discovered any malfeasance
or misfeasance. to recommend preventive
legislation. Here the instructions and
power OF the committee ceased.
The work of the committee was able,
fair and exhaustive. and the members are
entitled TO the thanks of the public for
the manner in which the investigation
was conducted. There was no attempt
TO evade or prosecute. Ii was an honest
and successful endeavor to ascertain the
truth. and the whole truth. To this end
every resource was exhausted. After the
testimony was taken the members of the
committee sifted it thoroughly, and two
reports were made. The majority report
was signed by four members. and the
minority report by one member. But both
reports agreed in this that there was no
faint of corruption, no suggestion of NAL
feasance or misfeasance, on the part of
sion, and there was no evil purpose on
the part OF Judge Crump, Major Lanier
or any other person under investigations
But the majority found and declared:
THAT A. S. Lanier was guilty of rep
rehensible conduct in becoming a stock
holder of the Virginia Corporation Com
pany Qncorporated}, and taking an active
part in the affairs of that company. In
lesser degree. a. NJ Tyler and j. w.
Newly were also guilty
While we 90 not believe that the in
tentions Of. any sof these were corrupt,
their relations with the said company
we're in "a high degree contrary to public
policy"
In summing up against Judge Crump.
the majority said:
We therefore conclude that Judge
Cr,pp, by his own conduct. but without
any corrupt intention, has shown such i,
lack of Judgment and mortal courage as
10 seriously impair his usefulness as n
menLler of the State Corporation Com
mission, where, not only legal acumen,
hut moral courage, firmness, good judg-
ment and a sense of justice which is
infexible. are essential
The majority also recommended, that
statutel9be enacted, making II n penal
orense, and ground for dismissal. for any
official or employe, OF the State Cor
4 ,keaI
stakeholder or empioYe OF any such COM
paRy as that above mentioned, during
the term OF office unemployment Of any
sucil officer or enploye, or TO anyw!s.
use his official position, or the knowledge
acquired as an cmploye, TO further his
private business.
Had the majority confirmed their ra.
port 20 statement of the facts as.
certained. ard the recommendation o.
preventive legislation. they would have
kept we'll within the scope of their In
structions and duties. But their, sigges
ton that Judge Crump should resign va.
gratiutous and clearly beyond the au
.hority vested in them by the resolution
ander which they were acting. The reso
ution called for the facts; not for ,
recommendation, except as TO preventive
legislation. we concur in the finding o
lie committee that Judge Crump shove,
lack of Judgment in subscribing /
n share Of stock in the Virginia Cor
poration Company, Incorporated an
that he showed q lack Of moral couras
In failing to inform his associates who
Lanier WAS called TO account, that i,
wns subscriber. hut ii must be co.
adhered also that BY admission OF III
committee. he Was gulltless of any ey
motive. II must be considered that
Us 2 citizen Of high character. of stan
sless morals. and clean living. Also
be considered, ia tho testimony az II
associates and the commission. tina,
has made an Industrious. faithful, pain
taking and emenent!y able member
that body; that. IN all his decision
iave one. from which appeals *as take
he VAS sustained by the Virginia Court
appeals that his services to the Sta
haze been patriotic end invaluable, a.