Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-03-26
The Legislature.

Reconveuing for the purpose OF acting
finally upon the charges heretofore form
ulated against Judge J. w. g. Black
stone, of Accomsc, the general assembly
Yesterday received 8 written answer
from the accused jurist, and referred the
entire subject to the committees for
Courts of Justice of the two houses,
With instructions to report back at noon
today.
SENATE.
THIRTY seven members out OF pos
sible forty were in their seats 10 the Ser
ate, only Senators Chase, McAlexander
and Parsons being absent.
Clerk Booker started to report joint
resolution sent over from the House
looking to taking up unfinished BUSH
ness on the calendar, which resolution
has been on the clerks desk since before
the beginning of the recess. The chair
ruled that the Blackstone matter should
have precedence, and inquired OF the
clerk whether any answer had been filed
by Judge Blackstone. Clerk Booker
reported that neither be nor the clerk
of the House of Delegates had received
any answer from Judge Blackstone
except the formal acknowledgment OF
the notice OF charges.
At l:S0 O'Clock Senator Mann, chair
man of the committee, reported that he
had been informed that Judge Black
stones reply would be filed with the
Joint committees for courts of justice
ats o'clock and asked that the chair
be vacated until 4:SO p. M, with the
understanding that at that time the
committee would be ready to report.
Before the motion to adjourn was
taken, Delegate FeatherstoD reported
that the house had passed joint reso'
luton providing for The appointment Of
committee of eight, five from the
, House and three from the Senate, to
\ make a full and through investigation
of the States interest in the fish and
oyster Industries, and to recommend to
the next General Assembly such legisla'
ton as may seem advisable. The COM
mittee is directed especially to inquire
into all questions relating to the Baylor
survey and as to any changes that may
seem necessary in the laws governing
the natural oyster rock.
The resolution was read, aud on mo-
ton was referred TO the committee on
fish and game, where many members
think it will lie put 10 sleep indefinitely.
When the Senste reconvened at 4:3C
D. m. Delegate Eugene O. Mss,ie re.
ported that the House had passed joint
resolution providing that the answer o.
Judge J. w. G. Blackstone be referred
to the committees for courts Of justice
of the House and Senate, to sit in joint
session and to report to the House and
Senate today. Senator Keezell Objected,
declaring that the answer of Judge
Blackstone had not yet bee1 laid before
the Senate, and therefore could not be
referred. The answer was handed to
the clerks desk and read, proving TO be
a formal and general denial by Judge
Blackstone that he had been guilty, OF
gloss immortality or neglect of official
duty as set forth in the specifications and
charges served upon him.
Judge Mann then moved that the
Senate concur in the House resolution,
and the Senate unanimously agreed. The
Senate then adjourned till today.
Mr.. Ourlett, of Lancaster, offsrel the
following joint resolution:
"Whereas, there is much important
unfinished business on the calendars of
both houses; be if resolved by the House
of Delegates, the Senate concurriug,
that each House proceed to dispatch tbs
said unfinished business as expeditiOusly
as possible"
Mr.. Page offered an amendment pro-
vidiug that if the Blackstone matter il
disposed of by O'Clock p. m. on Sstur'
day, an adjournment be had at that
time. The resolution was tabled.
At the afternoon session the clerk
read the following answer from Judge
Blackstone;
"Now comes the respondent, j. W.
@. Blackstone, and denies that he has
been guilty Of gross immOrally or neg
lect of fticisl duty as set forth in the
specifications aud charges served upon
him.
81. w. G. BLACKSTONE.
"Fdy s. Collier and O. Aylett Ashby,
cuunsel."
Mr.. Massie, chairman OF the commit
tee for courts OF justice, offered the fol-
lowing i,int resolution, which was
adopted:
Resolved, by House of Delegates,
the Senate cOncurring, that the answer
of j. w. G.. Blackstone be referred to
the committee for courts Of Justice OF
the House and Senate (Which committee
shall sil 10 joint SESSION. with insIruc-
lions to consider the same and report to-
mUrrow."
The House at 4;50 o'clock p. m. sd-
iourned until noon today.
THE BLACKSTONE CASE.