Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-07-14
INJUNCTION OF SECRECY
IS LAID BY TAX BOARD
Did Not Desire Any Publicity in
Regard to Easley
Charges.
GAVE HIM THREE DAYS NOTICE
Then Summarily Removed Examiner
of Records at Executive Session,
Making No Statement or ENpIa-
nation-Aiay Meet To-MorrOw

The board does not expect to give
publicity to this matter, and does not
desire that publicity be given TO the
matter by you or anybody else"
This was the remarkable injunction.
il was learned yesterday. that was
conveyed to James 5. Easlcy. dcposed
examiner of records of the Sixth Cir
,cuit. in a letter addressed 10 him by
Executive Assistant Garnctt. of the
state Tax Board, advising him for the
first time Of tho charges preferred
against him by Attorney Benjamin
Watkins Leigh. Of Houston The
warning was included AT the instance
of the Tax Board. which met for the
consideration OF tho charges on July
I, and tho letter went forward to Mr..
FIasley tho same day.
According 10 Mr. Leigh. tho charges
were filed with tho three members of
the Tax Board individually some time
in May. Tho document containing the
charges was undated and unsigned.
ON the outside cover was rubber
stamped tho date. MAY 2s. 1916" Pre-
sumably tho charges were filed on that
date.
SinEularly enough Executive Assist :
ant Garnett was not informed by any
member OF the Tax Board of the fling
of the charges. According to II state
ment made by him yesterday, he
learned of them for the first time on
July I, when they were first laid he
for the board as "A body. At that meet
ing the board instructed Mr.. Garnctt
to notify Mr.. Easlcy. who was informed
that the board would meet on July Is. to
hear the parties at interest. and that,
while counsel would not be permitted
Mr. Easley and MIR. Leigh would he
expected TO be present.
HAD THREE DAVIS IN WHICH
no PREPARE Ills DEFENSE
Mr.. Garnctts letter informing Mr
EaSley shat he was charged with
dercliction of duty and inclosinG a
copy Of tho charges, reached tho cX-
amincr OH July >. Sunday. 1t was not
! until the following day that he could
begin the preparation of IA defense
On Thursday, July &, the board held
its uow famous inquisition. remaining
in session behind closed doors for sew
eral hours. The Capitol Swarmed Will,
Senators and Delegates from the Sixth
circuit, all marshalcd to bring their
influence to bear in support of the rivaI
candidacy of Tucker &. Watkins, Jr.
Of South Boston
At the conclusion of this hearing i
was announced that another mcetine
would be held by the board on the fol
lowing day. Mr.. EasIcy. conforming Il
the Tax Boards injunction that i
does not expect to give publicity tt
this matter, declined at the conclusion
OF the meeting Oh July to discuss wha
had transpircd before it or TO max,
any statement in his own behalf
although he was Informed that i:
| lengthy statement had hccn released
for publication by the Watkins forces
Executive Assistant C;arnctt and See.
rotary c. Leo Moore, of the Tax Board
declined to give out any information
regarding tho hearing.
TAN BOARD GANI; No
REASON FOR IT'S ACrION
On tho following day--July 7-tho
Tax Board held hriof meeting and
!(Continuod on Fifth Pago,l