Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-01-24
They Are -Four 10 Humber and
Are Told in The FGYest Pos.
slbIe Words.
JUDGE RHEA ARRIVES IN RICHMOND
He Issues Statement Relative to the
Accusations Which Have Been Made
Against Hlm-BeIieves That the
Vote for the r. F. & ,. Repeal viii
be Overwhelming in Both Houses.
Especial To The Daily Press. }

Especial To The Daily Press.)
RICHMOND. VA, Jan. 23.-After
hearing the specific charges preferred
against the character OF Judge Will
liam f. Rhea, of Bristol by Senator
Noel. Republican. of Lee county, tho
joint committee of the Senate and
House this evening adopted n resolu-
ton which Will be presented In the
two houses Of the Legislature tomor-
row and which provides that the state
appropriate all funds necessary to n
thorough and systematic investigation
of all charges against Judge Rhea who
has been named by the governor to
succeed Henry G. Stuart as corpora.
ton commissioner. The approprla
iicn will provide for summoning wit
ncssos their travelling expenses and
the employment of an official stenogra-
pher.
In presenting his charges. Senator
Noel said, "as n member of the gen
cral assembly wish to raise my voice
Ill opposition to the confirmation Of
ex-Judge Rhea rs n member of the
state corporation commission. While
do not say the charges are true.
have given the names of persons
tAiih viii lily
charges and If after the investigation
Judge Rhea has proven his innocence
VIII be glad TO see him confirmed"
Nj. Il. Cooke. of Norfolk, n member
OF the committee following the stnte-
ment of the charges said. 81 think It
but justice to the state. the governor.
Judge Rhea and the Democratic party.
that the committee take up the charg.
es at an early date. If the charges are
not true, Judge Rhea is exonorated.
If they are true. which | do not be-
lieve. we cannot ratify the governors
nomination"
Judge Rhea Appears on Seems.
Mr.. Cookies words had scarcely died
away when Judge Rhea walked into
the senate chamber. being greeted by
hearty demonstration from the
spectators and the Democratic repre-.
sentatives present. Judge Rhea an.
nounced that he had read the infa-
nous charges brought against him and
that he was ready at any time to dis
prove them. Il make q positive de.
NAL of all of them" he said 81 de-
sire to say in regard to the first two
charges that | was exonorated of
them by committee OF the Congress
of the United States after that COM
mitteo had made a through and Wig
orous examination. That commit
tee was composed of six Republicans
and two Democrats. and their vote
stood four Republicans and three De.
mocrats for exoneration and the mi
nority thought so little of the charges
that they never formulated n report. -
N fha nc
know nothing of 1t and have never
heard such thing even hintcd at
except on one occasion and even at
that time my opponents did not dare
use it against me in the congressional
campaign then on
Il have never previously heard the
charge of changing returns in the
counties mentioned. Pending tho in.
vestisation of the alleged election
frauds existing at that time. I will say
that | issued through the press of
he state that | would not accept the
seat in Congress if 1t was won on n
technically"
Upon motion of Senator Rison. the
committee fixed next Tuesday after.
noon at three o'clock as tho time for
the further investigation of the charg-
es. The witnesses against Judge
Bhca will be summoned and will be
on hand to testify.
Senator Noel's Charges.
Senator Nool has filed tho following
specifications and charges against
Judge Rhet:
ITO the joint committee on conhr.
nation:
81 hold that w f. Rhea should no,
be confirmed as n member of the state
| corporation commission for the fol
lowing reasons:
81. Because he is believed by both
Democrats and Republicans In South
west Virginia to lie an interruptions
politician.
"2. In 1900 he is believed to have
won his election to Congress by coun
tenancing. encouraging and abettlne
the most outrageous frauds. such ms
voting of dead men whose names re
manned on the registration books. tho
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