The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-05
MINISTER ACCUSED
Of INTIMIDATION
Myers Says Rev. Asbury Chris
tian Sought to Coerce
His Vote.
MAKES CHARGE IN HOUSE
Denounces Pastor as "Wolf in
Sleeps Clothing" for
Offering "Bribe."

Charges of attempted intimidation TO
coerce his vote on the Land nuisance
bin, now pending before tho General
Assembly, were brought OF the floor
or tho House Of Delegates yesterday
by Captain William NJ Myers, OF R'ch-
mond. against Rev. W. Asbury Chris
ton, pastor OF Union Station Methods,
church. Mr. Myers asserted that the
minister had told him in the presence
of three witnesses that unless he
would agree To vote for the bill the
minister would personally seek to pre-
vent his recollection 10 the House and
would also undertake 10 inJurc him i'm
MS business career. In II statement
ISSUED later in the day. Mr.. Christ AN
said that what ho had said to Mr
Myers was ;hat unless he voted for
certain measures. his attitude would
tend greatly TO injure him both in
business ANA in politics
MIR. niycrs's Statement.
Mr.. Myers Was called into the lobby
during tho morning session. ON re
turning 10 his sent ne secured tho
floor on a question OF personal privi-
leGc. and said.
~ feel ii u duty Incumbent on mo for
the protection of my honor and that
OF every honest member OF the Gen
eral Assembly to rise 10 a question OF
personal privilege, have lived In
Richmond all my life. and have tried
10 live an honest and upright life, and
to live with tho men OF my community
as men should live. / feel that / have
no redress for an incident that has
Just occurred save TO rise TO question.
OF personal privilege before this House.
In going TO the cloakroom | was ap
preached by lobby OF four gentle
men, one. the Rev. .ishury christian, Of
this city. They saught to learn my at
iitu,,; OH the Land nuisanc" hill now on
the calendar OF this House. and told
them how ! stood In regard TO that
measure. This gentleman of the cloth
who walks around, wolf IN Sleeps
clothing, posing as man of God,
threatened my business and my poiiti-
cal future, If l had any. If I did not
ut once coincide with his Views in re-
gard TO this bill.
Regards II aS bribery.
1T required all of my manhood and
all OF my respect for ihe true ministry
to keen me from smothcrug in blood
the face Of a man who could stand In
the lobby of this building and offer mo
such 4 bribe 10 vote the way he want
cd me To do would not hit 4 minis
ter. but I told him TO his face In the
presence OF his three friends. that he
was 'woif III aheep's clothing. and
what thought of his Offering n bribe
To a member Of this House to vote for
his bill.
II have no ambition politically. but
I have to make my meat and bread for
myself and for nv family. ana when II
minister tells me that il do not vota
q certain way on n bill pending before
this House he will ruin my business.
I believe he should have the ccnsurc or
this House"
mfr. Speaker. would Ike To ask"
began voice from the eailerv. which
wns recognized as that OF MIR. Chris
tiaiI. WHO WAS standing Just over tho
clock in front OF the Sneakers desk
The Speakers Gavcl and the call OF
the Screcantat arms and doorl<ccper;
ot the House drowned further words.
and Speaker Con announced that under
the rules th""c could lie no speaking In
the House except by members OF tho
hodv The scrreant -at-arms was in
structcd to see that no one attempted
to address the House from the gall
lcries
" N''ers was roundly arplauded
from all parts OF the House when he
/ tpvA his seat.
y lcW minutes lntor Mr.. Christian
pushed by tie do"rkccpcr aud occupied
(continued ON Second pasc.)