The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-18

mcny favorable TO me as to my record upon
the bench AID otherwise. In informed yod
OF this, and you LAYER in he day stated to ma
that Mr.. caGubell and yourself had made nh
arrangement to meet Mr. Stuart for consult
Triton at the Westmoreand Club. told
you that notwithstanding the fact that Mr.,
Stuart might be willing to 20 upon the
stand and testify that he did not believe
that ever sent. or authorized to be sent
testify as to my judicial Integrity and also
az to my integrity man, yet if ne could
rot give me Il complete vndcation to my
political career, did not want him to tes-
tify. Later In the day you came to me at
tho Richmond Hotel and informed mo that
Mr.. Campbell and yourself had had this
conference with Mr.. Stuart and that Mr.
stuart had stated to you that he was iotE
only willing, put would be glad 20 go upon the
stand and testify that he did not believe
that l had ever sent. or authorized to DO
sent. the Buchanan telegram. and that no
would further state that my character ASH
Judge utsn the bench was unquestioned, and
that my character FOR truth and integrity
rs 10 the propriety OF my announcement by
reason of the fierce political animoslties T.
had engendered. When you informed me OF
this 1 stated to you that while Mr.. Stuart
might go upon thc stand and testify in my
behalf as he stated TO You ho would do. yer
II he would not indorse my political carecr
az we'll os my judicial and legislative life
that I would not have him go upon tho
stand, and yon fully agreed with me. and
ths is the sole reason why Mr. Stuart was
not recalled to the stand.t
Mr.. Iryine's Reply.
The reply OF Mr.. Irvine to Judge Rhea'.
letter follows:
81 have Your letter of March 3D. asking
my recollection OF certain events In connec-
ton with Hon. Henry c. Stuart's testimony
In the recent Investigations. In reply i bes
to say that the facts stated by you in this
letter are. in the main, correct as 1 re1nem-
Der them.
Il believed that the evidence Mr. stuar,
was asked to give. as | understood it, was
e.eariS incompetent and improper, and for
TINS reason and over your protest the evi-
denee was objected to by your counsel wher
Mr.. Stuart was the stand. on the day
following Mr.. Campbell and / met Mr.. Stuart
a the Newfoundland Club. and on that
occasion he stated TO us that he did not be-
| litve sou personally had sent or was cognf-
zant of the telegram relating TO Buchanan
Iecunty, although he thought such a message
lad been sent from Bristol headquarters
many years on the bench and as a repre-
sentative of The people in the Virginia SEN
ate and in Congress- had been above re-
proach. and that he would gladly 20 back
on the stand and testify to these facts and
to your high standing for truth and inte-
gritty, but further stated that IL pressed
py the prosecution, he felt that he would
DO compelled TO express doubt as to
the proprlety OF your appointment under the
circumstances owing 10 the fierce political
contests you had gone through with and to
and distrust IN some quarters Mr.. Camp
Leli and both stated to him that under,
these circumstances we would not recall him
70 the stand, and when | reported this mat
ter 10 you. YOU concurrcd with us, and thereS
The matter dropped"