The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-03-16
CURRENT COMMENT


Delegate Myers, of Richmond addressed the
house yesterday relative to his controversy
with the Rev. w Asbury Christian In the
course of that address he referred to the "n-
famous manner in which DR.. Christian had
approached him. He also took occasion to
question the action and spirit of the Legislative
committee to which referred his demand
for an investigation That committee. 1t will
he remembered, declined to investigates In
secondary report the committee submitted
the following:
We the members OF the committee on privi-
1eees and elections hereby extend to Delegate
William NJ. Myers a vote of confidence IN his
veracity and Legislative integrity.
What Delegate Myers said about the COM
n1ittee follows:
yet 1t Is refused me. and, Mr.. Speaker. I
want to say this: / believe that If had been
approached by a lobbyist for a. corporation
the privileges and elections committee would
have ended ii not, indeed. demanded.
an investigation. but 1t is, / am not allowed
TO prove my charges, nor am / allowed to
disprove the charges which have been made
against ! ready to so into this in
vestgaton Immediately. If l am wrong can
take my medicine
Mr. Myers charged that DR.. Christian had
threatened him with loss of business. If he did
not support the red light BILL and yet right
on top OF such charge, he alleges that the
house committee on privileges and elections
would have acted If the alleged offense had
,been by lobbyist for corporation.
Judge Williams. according to the report In
the Richmond Journal, arose and asked Cap
tain Myers what he meant.
Captain Myers said that his words spoke for
themselves
Judge Williams usually very ruddy, became
white and suppressed emotion. He insisted in
a very cool voice, however. that the Rich
iInond delegate he more explicit
Mr. Speaker said Captain Myers. t'the
members of the privileges and elections COM
inittee my personal friends though / did
not know them before this house con-
Vened believe that some of the members of
the committee are my warm friends, but as
for the gentleman from Giles I will say this:
II do not think he loves Myers less but
think he loves something else more"
Such being the case. Mr.. Speaker" inter
rupted Judge Williams. Il will ask the clerk
to strike my name from the secondary report
made by the committee on privileges and cleo
tons"
THAT is satisfactory to the gentleman from
Richmond" Captain Myers replied.
To arrive at true understanding and full
appreciation OF the above, we must bear in
mind distinctly two points The first
is that Mr.. Myers denounced In most vigor-
pus manner what he alleged to have been an
effort the part of Dr. Christian to bribe
him indirectly The second is that Mr.. Myers
charged that the committee elections would
have taken action against corporation lob
byist, but that 1t would not do SO 10 the case
under consideratin. The third Is Judge Mar
tin Williams action and Delegate Myers an
swer To catch the significance of what Judge
Williams did must read again the word
ing of the committees report:
I'VE, the members of the committee on
privileges and elections extend ito Delegate
Myers a vote OF confidence in his veracity and
Legislative integrity
When Judge Williams withdrew his name
from that report he placed upon Delegate
Myers heavy burden any legislator
ever wore. and yet Delegate Myers answered.
That is satisfactory to the gentleman from
Richmond"
When Mr. Myers denounced Dr. Christian
for alleged indirect bribery, he said, accord
ing to reports in the Richmond newspapers.
that but for DR. Christians vocation he would
have smothered his face In blood
What difference! What difference
Roam oke World News.