The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-05

never been engaged III any conference
OF whicn 1 ain assumed, and bowling
to MIR. Meredith. II ain sure neIthei
have YOU"
Jaines N. Boyd, called as n character
Witness, saId hG Knew OF nothing q
reflect on The character OF Mir. saun.
dors.
'riiat began u long line OF character
witnesses. Judge IL. Carter Scott, oi
tile circuit Court OF the city OF Rich
inond, s,,id lie had been interested in
political matters untii he went on tho
bench; was now president OF the West
moreland club; that he had known
SAUNDERS for many years, quite we'll
lie met him in business and political
matters, and considered his general
reputation for truth and veracity aud
integrity excellent
In political matters, what is his
general cliaracter2'
u think 1t Is good"
NJ Proof Ilcforc Grand Jury.
President Charles II Taylor. OF tho
Board OF Fire Commissioners. another
member of the election frand grand
jury, to which reference has been made
from time to time In the trial, was
called. lie said that that investiga-
ton lasted twenty-three days, and was
most thorough. There was some con-
test as to whether he could use knoWi-
edge gaincd at that time in general
testimony az to character, but in the
end, Mr.. Taylor testified that ssaun-
ders's genera! reputation for truth and
veracity was good; but that in politi-
cal matters, like all other politicians,
those lie is for think he Is all right,
and those he Is against say he ~
corrupt / should say that the ma
jority was in his favor. Judging by his
success in politics. His general repu-
tation in the community is good
During the course of the grand jury
Investigation. was anything proved to
connect Mr.. Saunders with any cor
rupt or Illegal practice
Mr.. Meredith objected. and argued
as to the legality of bringing out the
secrets of the grand jury room. Every
effort was made. he asserted, to get
the Judge to make public the minority
report of the grand jury. but Judge
Witt would not receive 1t. He had
held that there could be but one re-
port from grand jury. Judge Ingram
finally allowed the question. and Cap
tain Taylor answered. NO" Cross
examined as 10 whether. in his opinion.
Saunders's general reputation in the
community was that OF an evil innu-
ence in politics" the witness replied,
II should say not
Thought Saunders "Smooth."
John C. Hagan. president of the Cap
itol savings Bank, asked as 10 the
sentiment OF the community in regard
10 the honesty and veracty of Mr.. |
saunders, said he thought 1t was
good. In his business arrangements. |
he said he had always found Saunders
fair and straight. Ills reputation in
political matters. he thought. was that
he was 'smooth'-that is 10 say. that
he was smarter than other men with
whom he camo in contact. but not that
he had done anything tricky He
did not think that his general repu-
tation in politics was evil"
Major Miles NJ. Martin. chairman of
the City Democratic Committee, said
he had known Saunders well for a
number of years, and had recently
been thrown with him in political
matters. His general reputation for
yeracity was good.
IN political matters prior TO last
July what was his general reputa-
tion?"
He has been very active In poll
pie who have a bad opinion of him as
a politician. Those who know him
consider him an honest and tireless
tighter"
Would you say that his general
reputation is that he is an evil ele-
ment in politics."
II do not think the majority con-
slider him So"
City Treasurer James &. Pace said
he had known Saunders intimately for
five or six years in business and poll
tics.
Sentiment Divided.
What was his general reputation
prior to July, 1909, for truth and vera
city?'
II have had but limited opportunity
TO ascertain what the public opinion
Is. My circle of acquaintance Is limit
ed. Among those / meet at my club,
the majority is probably against him.
I have never heard him spoken of un-
favorably elsewhere to any extent
is somewhat divided. have
heard people speak in his behalf as
violently as those who opposed him"
Superintendent J. E. Wood. Of the
State Penitentiary now president OF
the Board OF Aldermen of Richmond,
ana ioF twenty years connected with |.
the office Of Henry T. Wickham, coun-
sci for the Chesapeake and Ohio, said
he knew Saunders wcll--that they
were close Intimate friends and had
been together In political matters. He
his general reputation in
the community for truth and veracity
to be good. In politics, he said saun-
iers was known as a hard fighter.
Those who know him regard him
as honest and square. I don't con-
slider him a political corruptionist. His
general reputation is that he Is a good,
honest politician. I should not say
that he had any evil influence on poll
tics"
Not m Evil Influence.
George Ainslie said Saunders's gen
'ral reputation for honesty had never
'een questioned among his associates.
n politics, he said, his reputation was
rood. though he had been criticized by
ONE for his political course at times.
Some have even regarded him as
n evil influence, I should say large
proportion does not so regard him"
DR.. G. w. p. Brock had known Saund-
rs for years and considered his repu.
alton as a man and as n noliticiar