The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-26

been cited and then witnesses had not
been certain, declaring only that the
accused Fad the appearance of being
under tho Influence of liquor. II Judge
Blackstone had the terrible reputation
for insobrety alleged in the petition,
dr. Ashby thought it remarkable that
only two witnesses lad been brought
here 90 establish the charge. He re-
ferred 10 the fact that of all the wit
nesses from the Eastern Shore, none
had ever seen him drunk, and contend
ed II he was an hibitual drunkerd, as
charged. he would sometimes have been
seen intoxicated on the Eastern Shore.
Mr.. Ashby commended that the charge
that Judge Blackstone frequently fails
to open his court on time had fallen to
the ground, and instead of Frequently
only one instance had been shown.
The committee took a recess at 9
o'clock until P. NJ.
Afternoon Session.
When the committee reconvened. Mr.
Ashby resumed his argument, and went
over all the testimony concerning gen.
eral reputation for morality and So
briefly. His conclusions were that the
overwhelming preponderance was in
favor Of Judge Blackstone's good char
acter.
He declared that the widest scope
had been given to the prosecution. and
yet there had been an absolute failure
to show that Judge Blackstone's repu-
tatlon for morality and sobriety was
bad.
Mr.. Ashby replied sharply to Mr..
Lewis's statement that if an Elizabeth
City judge were to go to the Eastern
Shore and behave as Judge Black
stone had done in Elizabeth City, he
would be lynched, and declared that
there was nothing in the evidence to
warrant such inflammatory utterances.
The speaker denounced this language
as unfair to Judge Blackstone, and as
serted that knowing the people Of Eliz-
abeth City county. he was in position
to say that no one of them desired to
lay violent hands upon him.
IN defending the accused against an
other charge of drunkenness. when It
was alleged that he had chill on the
bench in Newport News as the result
OF drink. Mr. Ashby argued that the
judge was sick: that the attorneys ar
gued important instructions before him
in his room and that his mind was
perfectly clear. as he had passed in
telligently upon the instructions and
had marked his conclusions upon each.
As to Immortality.
Coming to the charge OF immortality.
Mr.. Ashby admitted some slight alle-
cations along this line. but declared
that practically nothing of a serious
nature had been established.
Judges could only be removed for
cause under the Constitution, contend-
ed the speaker, but he said this Ian
guage referred to their official acts,
and that it would not be fair to take
Judge Blackstone from the bench when
his nr{Vafe 1ifa la mn ~
was when he was elected.
mo tainted hand" he went on, "haa
been laid upon Judge Blackstone's in.
tcgrity. and 1t Is known everywhere
that when he goes upon the bench he
favors no friend and chastses no
enemy.
1--WE are proud Of the fact that the
people of the Eastern Shore have raj
lied to the standard Of Judge Black
stone, and ] say that In view OF his
high standing among his own people
he cannot be that satanic demon he has
been painted.
"The effect OF an adverse renor,
would, Of course. be disastrous to
Judge Blackstone and his friends, but
we are not invoking this in the In
terest of charity.
We ask you to weigh thisscase care
fully, and to bring in a verdict In CON
formity with the evidence, and with
the splendid work which he has done
as an able and Intelligent Judge In
this State"
MIR, Meredith Closes.
1t was o'clock when MI Meredith
arose to conclude the case for the pro-
secution. and in opening he laid great
stress unnn tha anormitv OF tho
ID