Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-23
COOL TOWARD BRYAN
Virginia Legislators Not
Crazy Over Peerless.
LESS THAN HALF FOR HIM
Johnson and Gray Favorites in a
Recent Pcll.
INVESTIGATION OF A JUDGE
General Assembly's Work Conspicu-
Gus by Lack Of notwithstanding
Byrd for Governor.

SINtlaI dispatch ~ LIE ioidi.
RICHMOND, Va, February 22.-Mem-
bers of the general assembly are not
nearly so unanimous for William j.
Bryan for President as some would
seem to think A recent effort to get a
poll of the members of the two branches
was not attended with the success ex-
pected and the result was something of
surprise even from the number that did
half the members aligned themselves with
Mr.. Bryan is significant. There were
some of those who did express a choice
who are openly hostile to the Nebraskan;
others who would take him as second
choice, and some who declare that they
are for him because he is the strongest
candidate. Some take the position that
they do not care to say and will support
the nominee of the Denver convention,
but they take good care not to say they
are against Mr.. Bryan, for the reason
that they would have to explain to their
constituents the reason of the change of
heart Johnson of Minnesota and Gray
of Delaware are good as the second
choice of the VirgnianS, the members
from the cities inclining more to Gray
than to johnson. From what can De
gathered in conversation with the men
who have a high seat in the councils OF
the democrats in Virginia, 1t is learned
that an effort will be made to have Vir-
ginia go to Denver this year with a dele
cation that will be free to vote as the
situation may present itself. There Is no
Disgusting the fact that there is not the
strength here for Bryan that existed four
years ago. The feeling for him Is strong
%l,N lint hn VpNnr yhr
know and study political conditions do
not hesitate to say that Bryan is grow
ing less and less popular with the coun-
try at large, and that he will not have the
support of the majority of the conven-
ton at Denver.
General Assembly's Work.
The general assembly has just two
weeks of the session left, and so far the
work of that body has been conspicuous
by what it has not done. Beyond the
passage of measures which have local
Importance and bearing. there has been
passed but one bill that is of general con-
sequence and interest-the repeal of the
exclusive right of the Richmond, Fred
ericksburg and Potomac to operate a
railroad between this city and the north.
That bill has been passed and has been
signed by the governor. The enactment
of the repeal of the unWrtten law Is
another feature LEat appueS 10 the state,
and hereafter there can be no miscarriage
of justice when that code is appealed to
in certain cases. The bill was intro
duced by Judge Alden Bell. former
mayor of Culpeper, and is result Of the
famous Strother and Loving cases, when
two lives were snuffed out because of in
dignities alleged against the female men,
bers of the families named. The object
of the law is to permit the state to intro
duce testimony of experts and medical
1nt fhor &c rrp16
for the allegations made and which may
lead to the visitation of summary ven
geance on supposed offenders.
There is a move to have an extra ses-
sion. but the idea is not popular. The
members now receive $500 for the session.
If there is an extra session of thirty days
or less the men will receive $50 each.
This will subject the state to an expense
of not less than $4,000. Many of the
members will stand for an extension of
ten days or two weeks without pay, but
they oppose an extra session. The repub
licans are voting against such a PROPOSE
ton, hoping that the democrats will vote
for the extra session. as by that means
they would have excellent campaign
material for another year.
Investigating Judge Blackstone.
The investigation of the charges against
Judge J. w. E. Blackstone of the eleventh
circuit, against whom charges of immor-
amy, lncOInpeIenCy ana drunkenness were
filed by some 400 citizens of the town of
Hampton, is under way before COM
mittee of the house. The evidence so far
is of a character affecting each of the
charges. and Is not at all complimentary
to the accused man. Lawyers, bankers
and business men have taken the stand
against him and related incidents and
occasions when the judge was derelict in
his duty. asleep on the bench. drunk
while in court and telling OF his general
character and reputation for sObriety
Many of the witnesses say that within
the last few years the judge has given
away greatly in a mental way. while he
was when he first assembled the bench,
one of the brightest men in the judiciary
HIS habits are declared to have been bad
and his frequenting of dSorderly places
has been subject of general comment
One of the features of the case has been
the presence here of women of the town
black, yellow and white They are here
TO I'll OF a recent occurrence in the town
Of PhOebus, when a large number of men
of Hampton are said to have attended
function" that was notorious in the
annals of that place. The hearing will
last several days. and it is possible that
Il simple resolution directing his removal
Will be passed by the general assembly
without resort to Impeachment proceed
ings
Byrd for Governor.
A movement which has begun to gather
some force is the one which has begun
with the name of Spoalyer r r, Rv,,3 cf