The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-23
HOLMES RET|RES
AS GRAND RULER
Officers of True Reformers Re-
sign, but Deny Any
Criininality.
GRAND JURY GIVEN CREDIT
Order Will Consider Proposed
Settlement of Banks
Liabilities.

Charging that the investigating
committee has without adequate rea-
son given itself the credit of expos
funct True Reformcrs' Bank when tho
thanks are all due to the grand jury
which indicted them. and seeking to
defend his administration of the af-
fairs of the Grand Fountain, Grand
Worthy Ruler y. w. Holmes created
decided sensation at the opening of
the thirteenth annual convention Of
the Grand Fountain, United Order of
True Reformers, yesterday morning
He denied fatty the charge preferred
against him that he permitted deposits
to be made in the bank knowing at
the same time that IT was insolvent,
and severely arraiSned the "pernicio us
activity" of the committee on investi-
cations which has waged war upon
the present administration.
His speech was repeatedly inter
rupted by catcalls and Kisses. and
order was with great difficulty pre-
served by the cooler heads among the
delegates OF the colored order, and by
a special force OF policemen which
had been detailed to tho hall TO an
ticipate and prevent trouble.
Officers Resign.
At the conclusion of his speech he
offered his resignation. which was
promptly accepted. Grand Secretary
W. p. Burrell followed with n speech
to the delegates. in which he admitted
the justice Of the demand OF an ex-
PLANTATION from the present officers OF
the order. and recognized the action OF
the grand jury indictinG him as who'll
" warranted. In Offering his resigna-
ton. he said that he welcomed the OPP
portunity which Will shortly be given
him to Justify his conduct.
The principal business of the day
was the appointment OF committee
on credentials and their work in &C
creditinE the more than 400 delegates
who have registered. Maurice Rouselle
was made chairman of this committee.
with eight other members selected one
from each of the eight principal sub
divisions of the order Pending the
election of officers. which takes place
this morning. Rev. Morris. of New Jer-
sey. acted as temporary chairman. and
r. A. Ccphas, of Richmond, as secre-
t,ry pro tenn.
Defends CoFimittec.
At the public meeting last evening,
presided over by Floyd Ross. of Mis-
souri,, the principal address was de-
livered by ]. Thomas Newsome. of
Newport News, who has been taking
an active part In the prosecution of
the bank officers. He outlined the
work of the investigating committee.
and defended its action. He mention
ed the support which has been ac-
corded the committee by white people
OF the country, who have interested
themselves deeply in the matter be-
cause of the fact that the h2avtest
burdens of the bank failure had fallen
on the poorer classes of negroes. many
of whom were employed as servants in
their homes Other addresses were
made by w. r. Griffin. of Washington,
y. c.: D. Webster Davis and James T.
Mitchell.
The vital problem confronting tho
convention is the disposal of the assets
OF the involved bank, which are now
the courts. resolution which will
be put before the delegates by John
Lewis. OF Washington, advocates the
transfer OF all the property OF the de-
funct bank to the Grand Fountain. on
condition that il makes satisfactory
dividual depositors The plan meets
with the approval of a larse number
OF the delegates. and Is claimed by
these to offer the best solution of the
difficulty. The chief fight of the pres
ent convention will centre about this
resolution, which will come before the
body this morning Immediately after
the election of officers. The day Will
be given UP to its consideration, and
the final vote taken on 1t tomorrow
Gets sixty Days.
Frank Fields, colored, was sent to
jail for sixty days from Police Court
Yesterday oh "a