The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-03-05
Those Who Heard Colloquy
Endorse in Its Entirety Let
ter Given Out by Attacked
Minister.
Declares Bride
Was Offered Him
With Voice Shaking and Body
a-Tremble, Richmond Dele
gate Says Minister Threat
ened His Future Unless He|
Supported Vice Bill-Ad
visedAgainst Making Attack


The Virginia house Of delegates VS.
thrown into Il state of intense excfte.si
ment yesterday by a sensational at
tack made upon Rev. DR.. Asbnry
Christian by Captain w NJ. Myers, Ot 1
Richmond. who in excitement and
anger declared that the well-known
minister had threatened both his poe
litical future and his business.
Or. Christian reached the house gaI.
lery while Captain Myers was at the
height of his abuse and heard the
concluding sentences. Not being per-
mitted under the rules Of the house to-
reply. he soon prepared letter to the
house, declaiming the statement Of
Mr.. Myers to be heated and untrue.s d,
This letter was first submitted to
Speaker Cox. and then given 10 the
press.
DR.. Christians reply is very temper
ate, though positive in his denial OF
the version given by Mr.. Myers Of
what he really said. This denial is
borne out by Rev. L. w Shack ford
and Mr.. S X. Mckee, who were with
Dr. Christian when the exctinss cpl
sode occurred in the lobby leading to
the house, DR.. G. v Darlington. who
was also present. but did not hear all
of the conversation, furnished the Vir-
ginian a statement, saying that he adj
yised Mr.. Myers not to make A fool
of himself Ivy rising TO d question Of
personal privilege and attacking DIR.
Christian,
Over Red Light Bill.
This episode, which created one at
the sensations of the Legislative SEES
al xs7an ttAs III
of the Land bill. designated to sup
ispress vice. DIR. Christian, DR. Car
rington. Rev Mr. Shackford. of BroadS
Street Methodist church, and Secretary
Mckee. of the " Nj. c. A., were ut 4.
the capitol working for the passage
of this measure. desigred to promote
morality. The bill is on the holsso
calendar, having been favorablv re-
ported and lis friends had just wen
a victory in the senate by securing the
discharge of the committee frorl tho
further consideration of the prop ,sea
law,
Other members Of tho Richmond
delegation had been interviewed. and
when Mr.. Myers passed through tho
lobby he was spoken to- Mr.. Myers
declared himself opposed TO the bit1
and eyinced much feeling. AS the
interview proceeded he became mora
excited and his voice steadily grew
louder. until passers-hy were attract
ed by the loud talking. Just what
passed is told in the several state-
ments printed herewith.
MIR. Myers declared on the floor 81 n
the house that Or. Christian had
practically offered him bribe in SAYS
ing he would support him il he
tMyers) would vote for this hill. and
had threatened his political future and
his business if he did not vote for The
bill
DR.. Christian emphaticaily. tienie1
this and is borne out by Rev. MIR.
Shackford and Secretary Mckee, whf
agree with him in asserting that he
made no threat whatever to Mr.
Myers and merely told him tina. If he
continued his opposition to all moral
measures his constituents would moi
want him to represent them and that
his business was also likely to suffer
Myers Greatly Excited.
Captain Myers became greatly cx-
cited. He called two or three ac-
quaintances who were nearby over to
him to tell them what. according to
his version, DIR. Christian had said.
He threatened to rise to question
of personal privilege and was urged
not to do so. But he would not yield
and soon as he could secure rec0&-
nition by the chair he begun his at
tack on the pastor of Union Station.
His voice and his hands both
tremhled as he begun. The excited
tone of his voice caused the menu
befs and the spectators to sit up and Il
take notice
AS Mr.. Myers proceeded he waA
given attention by all present, who &
suspected from his manner that hla
utterances would be sensational
What Mr.. Myers said:
II feel it necessary for the pro-
lection of my honor and the honor
Of other members to rise to point ~
Of personal privilege. as i have NO
other redress for an incident that oc-4alE
Cured this morning.
I'm goii.g to the cloak room thln
morning, was approached by lobby
Of four men, one OF whom was thu q
Rev. w. Asbury Christian. He WANT
ed to know my attitude on the SUBJ
ieet of pending red Hi h {. b -
told him my views. Thereupon thin
gentleman Of the cloth. this gentIS-s8s
man who walks around in shoepsl
clothing, threatened my business and q
my political future Ii I did not y0t@
for his bill 1t required all my unAn
hood to refrain from smothertnE thl9
mans face in blood. would mt &l &
him. but told Lin he WAS u N02&
Sleeps clothing to threaten " M(
Der of this body. havo shines
him repeat his remarks In the
ence OF three Witnesses.
Mr.. Speaker. hare M pn1t4
ambition. but + mnat make M
and meat by my labor ard Wll
man threatens my bHnlne4g, xf1%
he deserves the censurs - ~
So q II