Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-11
TWO VITAL ISSUES
rn,lE.xEDrrAT1ox AND JUsTTFIcA-
r1os. hinges OF THE CAMP
BELL CASE.
MILL MEET TOMORROW.
oet.i1. 81 the 1.ve.tlsntion Of we'd
ae.a.y sert WIN Then pc settled.
E.traneou. Matter Will Ne Rigid
II Excluded
WILL MEET TOMORROW.
Details Of the Iavestisntion Of wed

{ q
rhe meeting will be an important one.
Is the details Of the investigation IN
he case of Judge Clarence j. Campbell
Win be finally settled. Among the things
hat the committee will take up and de-
dde is the admissibility o. the spec1h-
cations to the charges against JUDGE
Campbell recently forwarded by Mr.. Au-
srey e. Strobe. OF counsel TOT inc prose .
sutton AS outlined by the Dispatch. the
sense of the committee is against the
consideration OF extraneous matter and
ANYTHING not pertinent to the charges.
,ut OF which the investigation grows
II is the desire of the committee to limit
both the scope and the cost Of the inquiry
rs Tar as practicable. compatible with a
fair and full investigation and justice to
Eli parties concerned.
The hearings In the case wiIl begin on
Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock in the
hall Of the House of Delegates. and the
capacity OF the room will be overtaxed
10 accommodate the crowd that will at
lend The assault an Rev. C.. H Craw-
ford by Judge Clarence j. Campbell on
the court green Of Amherst county. just
after the adjournment OF court, or re-
cess, when DR.. Crawford had been car
sted thtther to answer charges Of con-
Tempt, and those charges had Just been
dismissed by Judgs Campbell. is the con-
duct for which IL is alleged by the Pc
htioners Judge Campbell should be re-
moved from Office.
HISTORY OF THE CASE.
Judge Campbell. It will be remembered,
Etruck1D Crawford several blows with
Y whip which he carried. He was after
ward tried for assault In his own court
over which. by his selection, Judge f.
". Wood. OF Fluvanna, presided, the
trial resulting in verdict of acquittal.
The summoning Of Rev. c. II. Crawford
TO answer charges Of contempt was the
result Of publications by Dr.. Crawford,
rejecting upon the Integrity Of Judge
Campbell In connection with the en-
forcement or non-enforcement OF the
tocal-option laws. Judge Campbell issued
a rule requiring the minister to show
cause why he should not be fined for
contempt OF court When the. case was
called the preacher was discharged and
the case dismissed It was Immediately
after the adjournment or a recess OF
court that Judge Campbell encountered
DR.. Crawford. and the assault win the
whip followed. Judge, Campbell.s defence
at the trial was that the assault was IN
premeditated and that 1t was provoked
by the offer Of DR.. Crawford to shake
hands with hirn-after having failed to
aetract the offensive language rejecting
spon him Judge CarnpbelD after he
Crawtord) had; had ample opportunity
70 do so. It was then in anger that he
struck the preacher with the whip which
ae carried by chance and not by design
~he prosecution. on the other hand. con
.ended that judge Campbell deliberately
End preneditatedly dashed Dr. Crawford
with the whip. and that he rushed from
the courthouse to the court green anc
approached the group. OF which DR.. Craw.
ford was one, with that design and pur.
pose.
The view Of the petitioners is set forth
fully In the memorial to the Genera
Assembly, out Of which this investiga'
ton, grew, and which is the basis Of 1T
AS viii be seen, the question of premedi
.ation and justification for the assault
viii be vital issues In the investigation
The charges as set forth must be sustain
ed by the prosecution. in order to war
rant report by the committee recon-
nending the impeachment or removal o.
Judge Campbell. In the event Of impeach
nent proceedings the Senate will try ane
the House will prosecute the case asains
the defendant
AN ALTERNATIVE. COURSE.
There is one other alternative cours.
In the event that the Committee fol
Courts OF Justice shall. after the investi
CATION, consider the charges sustained
and sufficient to warrant the remova
OF the Judge. The General Assembly may
by Joint resolution. remove the Judge from
office without the necessity of impeach
rner1t proceedings. In the event that tn
committee shall find the Judge guilt.
OF conduct such as units him for ser
vicet on the bench, 1t " Ill probably repor
such resolution. 1t would be far NOR
expeditions method Of procedure thai
IMPEACHMENT and very much less expen
dive: Impeachment would subject tn
state TO a long and hard-fought trial
N>s, IL To S{f Sy>f~ as q
court, and with the House prosecuting
the charges. This would be useless am
expensive after the Committee for Court
" Justice shall have fully heard the ties
,trnony in the case The precedent !
rather in favor Of removal by resolution
fhough both methods have been resorte'
70 Ia the history of tbs General Assembly