The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-09-26
LETTERS MADE PUBLIC
ON INFANTRY CHARGE
Governor Swanson Persisteny Refuses to Disclose Con
tents of Communication That Caused the Dis
miSSal of Company G.

I Perry, dated May (seven days after
the disbandnen he informs me that
had he known orders for mastering out
OF Company G were 10 be issued he
would have advised me at once. He
also said that he did not believe IL
would occur for several months. In his
letter he asked for immediate action
mat Col. j. Lane Stern nao not III
spected Company q since September a.
1907, he could not possibly give a spC-
cial report without special inspection.
And as Major King requested me 70
accept the position Of battalion al
battalion quartermaSter, after we had
been discarded
/ think with such contradictory evil
dence before you our positions III This
community Will cause you 10 give Us a
chance 10 set ourselves right before the
people among whom we reside We do
not ask Tor any cOncealTuent OF any or
our actions, ana, therefore, fail to see
the motive which keeps from us the
letter which was used as a concealed
weapon against US.
The people of Alexandria are fair. and
II the contents OF this letter is true
they will commend Major King and
excuse Colonel Perry for making II a
public document. IL they are wrong,
they VIII condemn them for causi 8
You 70 take action against men who
were striving TO better the service.
colonel Perry. IN letter to me VI der
date Of June 10, suggests the adv iSa-
bility Of making no further erfOrt to stir
this matter up, and states that he is IN
Ger the impression that the governor
made Independent inquiry in Alexa- dria
ana satisfied himS III on the subject be-
fore ordering the disbandment cf my
company. He also states that a board
OF inquiry would not give me 4 clean
bill, and closes his letter by advising me
not 10 stir the matter up.
This We have no desire to do. Our
sole motive is 10 clear our characters
u ~a Nrl# 49, in
correct reports can use the governor
office 70 gain their own ends. 1 Will
gladly furnish copies OF all correspond
ence between Colonel Perry and myself,
both before and after the disarmament
If you desire them
Very respectfully.
p. J. MURPHY.
Governors Office.
Richmond, Va, Sept. p, 1908.
Capt p. J. Murphy.
Alexandria Va
My Dear Captain: 1 am just IN receipt
OF your letter OF the oath which / nave
noted The letter OF Major King TO
Colonel Perry was a personal letter OF
which he alone has the control. anc the
right 10 give the use of. I cannot permit
private correspondence sent TO my Of
nee TO be made public.
II this were done / would not be com
municated with freely and fully in re-
gard 70 matters which are absolutely
necessary for the States interest 1
can IeCAll l4OLlll4s III llldL letter RllCA
reflects upon you personally, or upon
your honor, or upon that OF any MEM
Der Of your company.
II Col Pesiy desires the letter 70 be
furnished 10 you this Office has no ObjeC-
ton The letter vas sent 70 Colonel
Perry. addressed to him personally, and
IL is a matter over which he has control.
Upon -dectfon, you viii readily see
that u would he unjust 20 Colonel Perry
and Major King for this Office 70 pub
lish the correspondence between them,
when u does not appertatn to this Of
fee. + Colonel Perry wishes 10 give
you a copy Of the letter OF Major King
this office has no objection. With kind
regards, I am, very truly yours,
CLAUDE A SWANSON,
Governor OF Virginia.
A Sunday school rally will be held at
the Second Baptist Church tomorrow
afternoon at 2:30 o'clock An interest
ing musical program viii be rendered
and addresses will be delivered BY the
Rev DR.. Watson, Of the First Baptist
Church; the Rev. c. K Hobbs, OF the
Second Baptist Church: the Rev. w N.
Church Captain Woody and G. K
Bender, superintendent Of the Sunday
school
The funeral OF John Pearson viii be
held from St. MaTy's Catholic Church
tomorrow afternoon at 8 O'Clock. The
Rev. Father Kelly. assistant pastor OF
the church, will conduct the services,
and burial will be in Bethel Cemetery.
Death notices inserted in The
Washington Times will, on request