The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-09
EXPLAINS ACTION
OF COMMIT TEE
Charles w. Bondurant Tells
Why Peyton ST. Clair
Won Endorsement.
Especial TO The Times Dispatch


Bristol. Va June s.-Although the
Democratic committee of the Ninth
Virginia District has been subjected
to more or less criticism because of Its
course in indorsing candidate for
the internal revenue collectorship for
the Western District of Virginia, mem
bers Of that body contend that the
circumstances made 1t urgent that
they express themselves. Charles w.
Bondurant. the committee member from
Lee County, who has recently been in
several counties. states that he has
heard much favorable comment OH the
committees action. Our committee"
said MIR. Bondurant. "as l understood
it from the outset. was not seeking TO
urge the appointment of any one man
to the exclusion of others. We felt
that in order that the Ninth District
might win the collectorship al all, with
five other congressional dtetrict5 In
the State eligible for the honor, II
would be necessary to settle upon
candidate upon whom at least the ma
jority of the Democrats in our district
would be united When We met and
had the balloting. Peyton st. Clair. of
Giles County. proved to be tho choice
of the committee. Our decision was
made, not with anything personal in
view. but with view to expressing as
nearly as We might the wishes of the
Democrats of the district Mr.. st. Clair
came before us with a more compre-
hensivc Endorsement than any other
aspirant lie had the Endorsement OF
eight out of thirteen county commit
tees in the district, which was the most
comprehensive of any Endorsement sub
United. He won before our committee.
and we adjourned. feeling that we had
at least slmplified matters with refer
cnce to the prospects OF putting our
district in line for winning the collec-
torship. 1t was our view. and I am
suro II is still my view. that with half
dozen men in the Ninth District seek
Ing the honor, this district has much
less chance of winning than If il should
unite upon one man, because, as has
already been indicated. there are SOW
eral other congressional districts that
are eligible TO the appointment"
Although Chancellor Hal II. Haynes
followed the statute literally in award
ing $4,000 of life insurance money to
the minor heirs of the late Tate L.
was killed by accident. he held how
ever. that this law was lacking in the
qualities OF equity, and that II should
be amended at the earliest possible
moment. Earnest died insolvent ex
cept for his numerous life insurance
policies. and under the insurance stat
ute OF Tennessee. which has already
been up held by the Supreme Court.
Chancellor Haynes felt that he could
pursue no other course than to declare
in favor of the children and against
tho creditors, who probably had ad-
vanced money and entered into con-
tracts with Earnest based upon his
life insurance as security. the same
having been taken out after the death
OF his wife, and been made payable
to his estate.
The statute cxcmpts insurance on tho
life OF husband" in favor OF tho
widow and next Of kin" The only
new question in the Earnest case. ii
appears. was whether a widower. with
minor children. who procured life in
surance while a widower, was "hus-
band" within the meaning OF the
| statute. The court held that he was.
Chancellor Haynes, however, in a
written opinion, called attention TO the
necessity for amending the States eN-
emption laws to exempt only n
| reasonable amount in favor OF a widow
and minor children, and requiring the
| rest to go TO the creditors. il neces-
| sary to pay them. II should, the court
/ said, be made impossible for a man to
invest his savings in life insura nee.
/ leaving his family sufficient money to
! live in luxury, and leave his creditors
! i'll the lurch. Only enough for edu
/ cation and reasonable maintenance
! should. in the opinion OF Chancellor
Haynes. he exempted. But the court
added that ii had no power to amend
I the statute. SO as to limit the amount
to be exempted. no limit having been
! fixed III il TO prevent injustice in some
tice to worthy objects OF the statute 6
favor. by depriving them OF their
proper exemptions. and their only
means Of support. which the lawmak-
| ing body intended TO save them when
| this statute MAS enacted.