The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-01-23

No other matter In legislative circles
was discussed half so much yesterday
and last night as the attack OF Senator
John c. Noel. Of Lee. on Judge W. r..
Rhea, of Bristol, nominated by Gov
crnor Swanson as Corporation Com
missioner to succeed Hon. Henry c.
Stuart charges Involved In which will
be filed in writing this afternoon be-
fore the joint Committee on Conflrma-
tion..
Judge Ehea is expected In the city
this morning. and will appear Before
the Joint committee, though It Is not
probable that any testimony will be
gone into before Tomorrow.
The meeting scheduled for ! o'clock
this afternoon will be mainly for tho
purpose OF receiving specific charges
against Judge Rhea from Senator Noel.
or any other citizen OF Virginia who
may have any to present. The Senator
from Lee would not discuss the matter
last might further than to reiterate his
former statement that when the com.
tnittee convenes the charges Will be
there, and that they will be specific
and will be sustained.
Rcw'x Hc.oIution.
Matters yesterday took an unexpect-
ed turn. which may lead 10 further in
vestisations. Delegate John r. Rev,
of Accomac. has prepared resolution,
which he declares he will offer, re-
Guesting the Governor to withdraw
the nomination of Judge Rhea- This
paper recites that the patron has moth
Ing TO say against the appointee. but
that the Governor can find man for
Corporation Commissioner against
Whom no one can raise question.
Following this suggestion comes a
| proposition from some members favor
able to Judge Rhea to present a reso-
luton to look into the fitness of Judge
j. W. G. Blackstone. of Accomac for
membership on the circuit bench, and
If this contest comes there will be an
| other long and bitter fight before the
Legislature. The public will recall
the recent sharp passages between
Judge Blackstone and the Governor
over the riot at Onancock. and the trial
which followed. 1t should be stated
/ In fairness to the Governor, however.
| that he is taking no part in any move
ment to retaliate on Mr.. Rev through
I a proposed inquiry concerning Judge
Blackstone. and that. on the other
i hand, he has discouragedsin every way
4 possible all suggestions looking to this
4 GnG.
Members Of both branches OF the
Legislature discussed the Rhea matter
4 freely yesterday, and last nigh. 1t was
/ the chief topic around the hotels.
/. Judge Rhea will be confirmed unless
l Senator Noel or some one else is able
/ to file serious charges against him and
i then bear them out by competent evi.
/ dence, :
1 The meeting this afternoon will un.
4 doubtedly be an open one. and the gen-
!. eral opinion is that after the fling of
1.-THE formal charges by Senator Noel
L = x,,t1y ho on n
day or two days. In order to allow
. Judge Rhea to prepare and submit his
j reply.
4 The Joint committee will meet at 4
O'Clock in the Senate chamber The
members Of the committee arc Dele
i, gates Thomas S. West, of Bedford
J (chairman); S. II. Wilson. of Pittsyl-
! vania Alexander Stuart. Of Washing
a ton: Merritt +. Cooke. OF Norfolk city
Senators William Hodges Mann, OF Not
toway; Edward Echols. OF staunton
r.. Ashby Wickham. of Henrico; Johr
;. a. Lesner, OF Norfolk county. ant
George T.. Itison, OF Pittsylvania.
J Bristol Bar Acts.
The Times-Dispatch last night re-
:, ceived the following from its CORE
spondent at Bristol:
'.At meeting OF the Bristol Ba
Association In the Corporation Cour
2 room to-day to consider Senator Noel
! attack on Hon. William It. Rhea, /!
l connection with the question Of tn
!, confirmation OF his nomination to be
: member OF the State Corporation Com
! mission there We're present the fol
! flowing attorneys: Judge a. IA, Phlega,
Joseph Z Kelly, II. G. Peters. A, II
Blanchard, John +. l3urson, j. Cloy
S Byars, FLOYD Roberts. Pau Dulanes
/ Henry Roberts, IT., ". Sutherland
E James L., Davis. Judge N. T.. Oglesb
S and JUDI Sc John W. Price. sA
R"The meeting was called TO order b
( a. II, Blanchard. and Judge a,
Phlegar was called to the chair, MI
J, D. d. Hull, Jr., was made secretar,
!. y Mr., Joseph r. Kelly stated the objec
:, OF the meeting, and upon motion til
:, following committee on resolutions wa
, named by the chair: Messrs. John ri
! Price, Joseph Z. Kelly, Floyd Robert
John U, Hurson and A, II, Blanchard.
Resolutions Reported.
4 THE committee. after retiring. RI
f|Iported the following resolutions:
u Whereas. as certain lndehnitc aud
y Scontinuel Oh second Page.).