Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-04-13
NEARLY A TRAGEDY.
AcoLoREp coNWcTs ABUSE or THE
coMMoNWEALTH'S ATTORNEY. =
Court-Thc Negro Embessier Denounced
by Lawyers Of His Own Race.

NEWPORT NEWS. VA. April H.
(spccial)-c. II. Robinson. coIorcd at.
torney. who has been practicing in this
county for the past eight years, was to-
day convicted In the County Court OF
embczzlement. and given one year In the
penitcntiary. The jury were out but a
few moments. He was ably defended by
Mr.. A. c. Garrett. one OF the leading
lawyers OF this place, assisted by James
A. Fields. who was Commemorative At
torney for this county for number
OF years. The case against Robinson was
so plain that there was but one decision
the jury could come TO. and his friends
think ne got of with very light punish
ment. After the verdict was read coun-
gel for defence moved the Court to set
aside the verdict and grant a new'triai'
as the verdict was contrary to the law
and evidence, which motion the Court
overruled
AN INsOLENT SPEECH.
After argument by the Commonwealth
Attorney against the motion for a new
trial, the prisoner arose and asked per-
mission OF the Court TO make STATE
ment. which the Court granted. Inc
negro said that the Commonwealth At
torney had promised not to object 10
a certain bill of sale which was intro
drced as evidence. but at the trial the
commonwealth Attorney did object. and
intimated that that officer had lied. The
negro spoke for about an hour. and used
the most abusive language TO the Com
monwealths Attorney, much TO inc dis-
gust OF the large crowd who had as
sembled TO hear the trial. There was con-
siderable comment throughout the COURT
house on the action of the Judge III ne
loving the negro 10 abuse one OF the
officers of the court in such manner.
LOOKED SERIOUS.
At one time II looked as though there
would he a tragedy in the very eyes
of the Court. Mr.. T.. $. Robinson, the
Attorney for the Commonwealth, hah
stood the abuse of the negro as long
as possible. and with knife in hand ne
made for the prisoner, but was pre-
vented from carrying out his intentions
by n number Of citizens who were pc
tween him and the prisoner. and amidst
great excitement. the court adJouiheu.
CONDEMNED HIM.
James A. Fields and y. Il. Clark. col
orcd attorneys, both made speeches. TINS
evening conder.nlng the action OF the pris-
oner In the absence of the Commonwealth
Attorney this morning. and upheld that
officer in the fairness which he us
playcd in handling this case. They also
said that this negro was one OF the
worst characters in this county, ana
they believed their race would be bene-
fitted 10y his absence.
The granting of liquor licenses. when
was set for to-day. was postponed un'l
the 18th instant.
The regular term Of the grand jury is
now in session. There are several I'M
portant cases 10 come up before this
body.
A LIQUOR FIGHT.
The Board Of Supervisors at their
meeting on the 9th of this month, failed
10 levy the special tax of $50 on the
saloon keepers of this place. The citi-
zens. represented by Messrs. Segar ana
Braxton. will sue out a mandamus to
compel the board to make this levy. The
board will be represented by the Attor-
ney for the Commonwealth. and Mr. j.
T. Hubbard and will be heard on Sat
urday next. The liquor men Will make
big fight against this tax, and the
citizens propose to make 1t very lively
for them.