The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-01-30
rHE ALENANDER ISLAND pisGkACE'

The grand jury for the county OF Alex
andria met on Monday, and the county
nudge. judge d. NJ. Chichester, seems TO
have done some very plain talking TO II.
We take from the Washington Post the
following account Of what took place:
The courtroom of the old Columbus
street courthouse, ID, Alexandria, was
well Allied yesterday morning when Judge
II. NJ Chichester, OF the AleXandrla ana
Fairfax circuit, delivered his charge TO the
grand jury at the opening OF the seml-ah-
nual term Of court The suppoSltion
that he would speak in reference TO the
gambling and racing along the Virginia
shore of the Potomac created good deal
of interest In sporting circles, and there
were a number Of racing men ana their
friends in court To hear the charge.
judge Chichester not only directed the
jury's attention TO disorders against the
laws, but went further and criticised
the failure Of Governor O'FeT-all ana
Sheriff Neitch to cooperate with the
court I'm the suppression OF pubic evils
He plainly intimatcd that the Governor
had been guilty of double-dealing In the
matter. and openly charged that the coun-
ty constabulary were unfit and corrupt.
The Judge said that nine years ago.
when he went on the bench, he found the
docket fun of criminal cases, and that
by persistent effort the number OF crimes
had been materially reduced, until with
in few years ago, when they were
again increased, and now
large majority of the criminal cases were
crimes committed by non-residents OF
Virginia.
alexandria county" he continued, "is
located near large city. and IL has been
fr.gt .4aiff Nsl
class from Washington. Efforts TO drive
away this class have been unsuccessful.
and | attribute the failure in part 10 the
unhtness and CorruptncsS of the officers
of the law. You are a singular people
YOU permit this thing TO go on without
correction. 1t is now time TO take some
step TO see that the laws are executed,
Congress- has passed an anti-gambllhS law
in the District, and the result Is That
jackson CITY and the whole river mont
fave become the scene OF law-breaking.
When you so TO the JuTy-room Try 10 ma
some means TO stop this crying shame.
Some years ago the question of selling
whisky was brought up. | did not think
the sale of the liquor necessary. but the
LEGISLATURE thought differently. and over
ruled my decision. The usual result
followed-crime. murder. etc. In addi-
ton the Legislature passed a law per-
hitting horse-racing and man.ng gam
bling easy. Under this law two race
tracks have been established. The Gov
ernor OF Virginia promised TO help me
break this up. but the only help he gave
was the signing OF the TWO laws permit
ting It, The Governor sent troops 10
drive out the poor Coxeyites, but l have
been unable to get troops TO drive out
men who. compared to the CoXeyites, are
as black TO white.
THE Governor has tried 10 stop winter
horse racing. What is the difference be-
tween winter and summer racing? Horse
racing is not what IL was in the time OF
our forefathers. Then IL fostered the
development of good stock in the com
munity lis your stock any better now
than before racing was permitted in the
county?
This law that legalized horse racing
legalized il on these terms alone-that
pool-rooms were not to be INDUCED IN
outside the race course. The question is
the revision of the law These things are
running the young. II this book making is
going on at st. Asaph's. II gambling is
going on at jackson City and Rossiyn.
and further up the river 1t is against
the law. Somebody must see that the
law is indicated, without regard 10 per-
sonal feelings for individuals or commu-
mites. If you will not wipe this out,
hope that l can get grand jury that
will. All the criminal cases that have
been tried In this court for some time
have been outsiders"
Judge Chichester then gave some in
structions relative to the gaming laws. en-
bezzlement and selling liquor without Ii
cense, and ended his charge by saying
that the jury had the Commonwealth OF
Virginia behind them, and that they had
the power 10 suvlmon witnesses and pa
pers for their examinations. and said
that ne hoped the Jury would give the
matters before them careful attention
and that good results would follow their
work.
Judge Chichester said TO Post reporter
yesterday. In regard to the proposed
transfer Of Alexander Island TO the Dis