The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-04-05
His Usefulness Over, "
! Conger Resigns From
Senate.
IN STATEMENT HE
DEFENDS COURSE
One Great Regret Is That in
Beginning He Did Not De-
nounce Worst Gang Of
Plunderers That Ever
Infested Any
Capital"

Albany, N. Y, April Arising to a
question of personal privilege In the
Senate tonight, Senator Benn Conger,
after reading a statement IN which he
declared that he fully realized that
as a result of the Aids bribery charge
an end. handed his resignation to
Lieutenant-G Governor White. dupli-
cate of which he later placed with the
Secretary of state.
with ashen face and trembling hand
he read while his fellow Senators lis
tened with intense interest. and when
he had finished he sent his resignation
to the desk and quickly left the cham
Der.
Mr.. Conger read how. at a private
conference, when the qualifications of
ex Senator Aids for the position OF
Republican leader of the Senate were
being considered he was asked to de-
clare his position.
Il replied that would not and could
not vote for him"
He continued: II told them, in con-
fidence. what l, as witness on the
stand have since then told you. name
ly. that personally knew that in 1901.
when Republican leader in the Assem-
bly,. he had held UP and demanded of
the bridge companies and had received
from them the sum OF $1,000 to in
fuence his official action, and that I
did not propose by any act of mine to
place him again in position where
he could levy hiaoistu4ii on the bust
ness interests offtnls State
Conger then related how. later. Aids
on the floor of the Senate denied the
truth of those statements and de-
manded an investigation thereof.
VIII Face the Cost.
go" he added. 1.-The alternative was
presented to me OF becoming liar and
thereby remaining, member of this
body in good standing, or of speaking &
the truth and thereby greatly injuring
myself, financially, politically and So
cially, and bringing upon my family
undesirable notoriety and sorrow. I
determined that the only thing that
1 could do and retain my own self
respect was to speak the truth what
ever the cost. That ! have done, and
forty of your number by your votes
have certified thereto.
Il do not seek to excuse nor do I
ask you or others to excuse the part
which l took in the transaction of
y
tion. The one great and sorrowful
regret of my brother was that he had
submitted TO the demand of the worst
gang of plunderers that ever infested
this or any other capital My wrong,
and for 1t have always been ashamed
and sincerely sorry, was in standing
by and permitting the thing to be done
instead of then and there denouncing
it,"
AR Conger added that. notwith-
standing the fact that 1t was the pol
icy of the State, that even the bribe-
| giver, who by his evidence assists in
should not be punished; and notwAth
| standing the fact he had made full
disclosure Of the transaction he had
learned that an attempt was to be
| made to eXpel him as member OF
| the Senate.
II am also informed" he continued
| that some of your number profess to
| feel that they cannot remain In the
| Senate If I am to be here
| Usefulness Ended.
| "I have no desire to remain a mem
ber OF this great Legislative body IL
| my presence is to give offense to any
| the beginning have fully realized, that
| with the feeling here as 1t is, my use
| fulness to my district as member OF
| this Legislature is at end. I csnnot
| afford the expense of a further hear
I ing and another trial. and feel that
| i ought not to impose the expense
| thereof on the State. Needed legisla.
! tion ought not to be longer delayed
and so I am going to surrender my
! office voluntarily
.'The sacrifice mas been great, and a
! times the burden has seemed more
| than I could carry. but my hope i:
that out of it all. in the calmer days
which will surely follow, good will ul
| timately come,
Senator Cobb's resolution providing
for the appointment of committee
! to prepare charges against Conger ar,
ended by his resignation.
For Full investigation.
i Albany, N. ~, April 4,---The resolu.
4 fjon of Assemblyman McInerney OF