Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-15

Ar the Evidence Adduced al Prey
vious Trinls WIN he Afmitsed-
Crowds Throng the Hale at DotA
Sessions.
Not IN many years have the public ins
terest and public sentiment been 50 in-
tensely aroused In any trial-if II may be
SO termed. and It Is nothing more nor
less-as in that Of Judge C. ]. Campbell. OF
Amherst. against whom, the COMMITTEES
to consider a series of charges breught
by the citizens Of Amherst and the friends
and advocates Of tpe Rev. G u craw-
ford.
The deliberations OF the body VIII be
watched with the most intense interest
by the legal fraternity throughout the
country. for the reason that in many re-
spects they are unprecedented. and IN no
small degree. unique.
There probably is not man or woman
in the State who has read the endless dis-
cussions. pro and con. in the public prints
or heard the numberiess arguments IN the
public places. who has not formed some
opinion as to what should be the result
of the committees deliberations over ths
charges of official misconduct by ths
judge.
And yet there were few lawyers or lay
men in the legislative hall yesterday who
would venture prophesy Is to the pos
sible outcome of the investisa ton. for ths
simple but significant reason that this
case is without precedent
After the days proceedings were ovar
and the brilliant addresses OF Major
Holmes Conrad. In behalf OF Judge Camp
bell. and those of Judge Loving and Mr..
Strobe against him, had been heard. Il
was evidentsto the most casual observer
that the bone Of contentlon-Judge Camps
bells fitness to serve on the bench-Waf
to be the subject of battle royal be-
tween the leading members of the bar OF
either side. And as the case Is away out
OF the beaten legal and Legislative track.
the precedents established Will be Of nc
small value in the annals OF administra-
tive jurisprudence.
The proceedings were convened In the
legislative han yesterday morning short
ly after 10 o'clock. at that hour thsrf
was no great throng In the hall. which
was insufferably hot. but later In the day
II was crowded with an audience large
/
ing number OF members OF he Legts-s
lature. prominent Iawysrs. merchants.
citizens, and not a few + dies.
Cynosure of Every Eye
Judge Campbell was the ,cynosure of an
eyes. and he bore the close. and at times
embarrassing, scrutiny of the spectators
admirably. Few men could have stood It
half so well, and when Judge Loving and
Mr.. Strobe said things about him we'll cal
culated to make any man color. whether
they be true or not. he bore h1msA1 WitA
dignity and not a little gracu
AS man. he Is by no means common
place in appearance Tall. well-made.
with clear almost ella assicaI features. ha
is likely to impress the students OF ply
/ siognor1ys rather favorabIy. he looks one
I straight in the face and has the power
of concentrating his gaze on s.a opponeuk
while his features are absolutely ins1pres-
| siYe OF emotion, characteristic extreme
| Iy unusual and only Observable In good
actors. and by them acquired after long
| years Of practice. He was handsomeiv
dressed, but wore the inevitable white
cotton cravat. which. to say the least u
| not Esodish.
Judge Campbell came into court 3uss
a moment. before Judge r. Wood
/ Commonwealth Attorney Otto Z. Evans.
/ his hitterest enemy. followed him. and
| both took their seats directly below tha
! elevated seats that were few moments
| later occupied by the committee Judge
I CampbelPs counsel Major Holmes Con-,
| rad. followed him q few moments later
and Judge w, A.. Loving. OF Nelson: j.
| Thompson Brown, Of Nelson. and Mr.
Aubrey E. Strobe. OF Lynehburg. who ap<
peared for the people OF Amherst. and
h,-.e other petitioners. arrived shortly at
/ terwards.
These gentlemen were hardly In their
/ places when tle committeeman entered
/ and took their seats on the raised datse
! Immediately below the speakers chair.
| The members present were. Chairman.
| Hon. r. G. Southal1. Of Amelia; Hon.
/ William r. Duke. OF Aibsmarla;; Hon. =.
/ C. Gent. OF Russell: Hon. n. b Early.
i Jr.. Of Greene; Hon. r. 3. Davis. OF Pse
/ tersburg: Hon. r. E. Lee, Jr.. OF Fairfax.
Hon. Thomas H.s Lion. of Prince sssfi X
I iiam; Hon r. s. Blackburn Smith. OF
I Clarke. 1.on.fJ N sebrell. Jr.. OF South:
ampton: Hon. w r. Alien. OF Botetourt-
/ Hon. G. E. s!pe. OF Rockingham; Hon.
/ Charles w. Waddy. OF Rockhrtdgc.
+ The proceedings were opened with The
/ |resdtns OF the long memorial asking for
the investjga ton. to which Judge Camp
i bell listened with the utmost unconcern.
AT the conclusion OF the reading of that
document Mr.. Aubrey e. Strobe rose to
i make hts preliminary statement. 8ss
Judge Campbell interrupted him. say
ing he would like to make brief STATE
+ ment 20 the committee He desired TO re-
i main IN the hall during the proceedings
he said, IL thera were no objections by
4 the committee or counsel and he begged
TO Introduce hts attorney. Major Holmes
i Ionrad.
There being no objection. Judge Camp
2 =