The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23

t.
que. OF the committee.
well, everybody knows Judge Black
stones condition. He has been para
lyzed. and is in weak physical condl-
ton. It Is hard to tell from his gem
eraNappearance when he Is intoxicated,
certainly at distance"
Intelligent Comprehension.
ness said he had at first thought that
the Judge was intoxicated on the bench
In the Pavalinic trial. but had SUISSE
mistaken. and that the Judge was sick.
Mr.. Curtis said he had been sheriff for
sixteen years. and though he had served
under large number of Judges. none
had ever dispatched the business OF the
court with more intelligence or ex.
petition than Judge Blackstone. who
made the lawyers come up promptly.
and try their cases, and pushed the
docket as rapidly as possible from day
to day
Does the Judge seem to have an in
telligent comprehension OF the bust
ness of his court at all times?" asked
Mr.. Ashby
yes. sir" replied the witness. and
he was excused.
scnndalous Charges.
Mr.. e. NJ Tennis. a banker and coal
merchant OF Phoebus, gave damaging
testimony against Judge Blackstone. 1t
related for the most part to charges of
scandalous and unprintable nature.
The cross-examination OF the witness
by Mr.. Collier resulted in some modi-
fication of his testimony. though 1t
was not materially shaken.
Mayor L. p. Furness, of Phoebus.
was on the stand for some time. and
his testimony was largely in the ma
ture OF that given by Mr.. Tennis.
though 1t was perhaps more sensa-
tionai.
These witnesses were testifying as
TO Judge glackstone's general reputa-
ton In Phoebus for morality and So
briefly, and they contended that 1t was
not what 1t should be. In fact In
word, they declared that his conduct
was as bad in Phoebus as, according
tn previous testimony, it had been in
Hampton and Newport News. II not
worse. Hampton and Newport News
witnesses had spoken more particu-
larIy with reference to sobriety; those
from Phoebus had reference to general
reputation concerning the judges moral
life in other directions, and they We're
specific as to many particular instances
OF alleged moral delinquencies.
sIuch interest Shown.
A long wrang!e took place over the
OF certain questions asked
Mayor Furness, and before he was
excused the committee, at 1870 o'clock,
took n recess until 1890 p. NJ. in order
to allow the members to vote upon
certain bills in the House.
The air was fairly charged with
interest. if not excitement. when the
recess was taken. and little groups of
men gathered in hooks and corners
about the Capitol and discussed the
sensational features of the opening
session OF the day concerning the al
legged conduct OF the accused 1urist In
the town of Phoebus at various times.
When the hearing was resumed
Mayor Furness again took the stand
and proce eded with his direct testi-
mony He was asked only one more
question by Mr.. Lewis. and Mr.. Collier.
for Judge Blackstone. said: you may
stand aside
Immoral Behavior.
Town Sergeant Williams, OF Phoebus,
testified as 20 Judge Blackstones al
legged immoral behavior in Phoebus.
He said the Judge told him the term of
his court had adjourned. and he was
"out for little time The witness
could not say he ever saw the accused
drunk on the streets. nor could he
Say he ever saw him on the bench
while under the influence of intoxi-
cants.
Asked as to Judge Blackstone's gem
eral reputation for morality and So
briefly. witness answered: Some say
1t Is good and some say it is bad"
Mr.. w. H. Richardson, OF Elizabeth
City, declared he saw Judge Black
stone on the streets Of Phoebus under
compromising conditions. and Hon.
LIE Grande Donohoe, former member OF
the House of Delegates from Phoebus.
was called. He is druggist. Mr.,
Donohoe testified that the general re-
putation of Judge Blackstone in Phoe-
bus for morality and sobriety was con-
sidered not good.
No Malice or Politics.
Mr.. ]. w. Rowe. president OF the
First National Bank. wholesale grocer
In Phoebus and signer Of the peti'
ton, said, In answer to q question by
NIL. 1LtW1S, gludI oO Aut 80 AAo SAW
there was no malice or politics behind
the petition. He was sure he felt No
animosity toward the accused judge
Captain ]. G. Robertson, of Hamp.
ton, swore that in an injunction pro-
ceeding to which witness was one oi
tho parties, Judge Blackstone said: ~
haven't time to be botherlng with your
Injunction You should go to some
other Judge" witness thought the
Judge was under the Influence OF
liquor.
Cross -examlned by Mr. Ashby. wit
ness was under the impression that the
Judge was not at the time reading his
record with the clerk, and that he did
not give this as reason for not tax.
ing tho injunction matter up.
TO the surprise Of almost every ono
in the room, Mr., Lewis arose at
o'clock and announced that the petit
TONERS would now rest the case. anE
that but for rebuttal testimony ant
possibly few more direct witnesses