The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-21

while on the bench?" he was asked
II cant say that have" was the
reply.
II have seen him on the bench when
his mind did not appear active, but
don't know what was the cause.
II don't know that ever saw hin
but once when / thought lie was under
the influence Of liquor, and then ne
was nor on the bench"
Chnngc for Worse.
'Have you noticed any apparent
change In his mental condition In re-
cent yearsr'
Yes, sir"
"what is the nature of that changer"
well, / should say 1t has been
serious, pitiable and grievous one
Have you ever seen Judge Black
stone asleep on the bench?
II have seen him apparently asleep
during the trial of a case, when law
yers could not attract his attention.
Witness testified that during GER
tain trial Judge Blackstone had been
appealed to by him about the intro
duction of some evidence, and he could
not arouse him. He then got Sheriff
Curtis to wake him.
He further testified that he and
friend had taken Judge Blackstone 70
n Keeley institute in Washington, u.
turn, he tfIought the judge was in
pretty good shape.
Reputation Not Good.
Had Judge Blackstone been on
debauch?" was asked.
~ do not know anything about
debauch." he replied. but think he.
had been consuming good deal OF
whiskey."
"Do you know his general reputa-
"a. 4 mr.
II believe / do
What is it?"
well, 1 should say not good"
isn't ii that he is contirmed
drunkard?"
"Was his former mental condition
Eood:"
yes"
What is 1T at present."
"I believe Judge Blackstone NM
Is affected at times. though 40 nol
know the cause
Witness testified that he had for
merly brought number of suits in
Judge Blackstone's court. but that he
did not bring so many there now Tor
the reason that he had seen the judge
on the bench when he did not think
his mind was clear.
Drowsy on Bench.
Mr.. o. D. Bachelor. another Newport
News lawyer, testified along the same
line as had Mr.. Lett. He had seen
Judge Blackstone on the bench when
he appeared very drowsy, though
whether it was from whlskey or some
other cause he could not say.
Have you noticed any change On his
mental condition within the past four
OF five years."
Yes, SIR
What is its nature?"
For the worse. | should say"
do you know his general reputa-
ton for sobriety and morality?"
81 suppose l do"
What is it?"
81 suppose should say bad, but
will qualify that by adding that have
heard a great many people close to
him refute statements as to his alleged
immortality and irsobriety."
Prefers Another Judge.
Did you ever see Judge Blackstone
intoxicated on the streets of Newport
News or elsewhere?"
.Intoxication is term of very doubt
full meaning. and don't just know how
to define it; but will say 1 never saw
Judge Blackstone when he could not
take care of himself
Witness was asked If he had brought
many suits before Judge Blackstone
in the last two or three years, and he
said he had not. though nearly all his
time had been taken UP as counsel for
the jamestown Exposition, and he had
therefore handled but little local
practice during this period. He said
he had one suit now pending before
Judge Blackstone. in which he repre-
sented the defendant. and though n
had entered no objection to Jud ge
Blackstone sitting in it, he believed
he would prefer to try ii before some
other judge.
Hia Condition..
The next witness was Mr.. w. J.
Nelms, also a Newport News lawyer
Asked by Mr.. Lewis If he had ever
seen Judge Blackstone intoxicated
while on the bench, he declared that
he knew not how to answer, as he was
not an expert on the subject of intoxi-
cation.
'TIave YOU ever seen him on the
bench when you thought his condition
was such that he could not properly
attend to tie business before him?"
II think SO
Can you specify when?"
II don't recall the exact occasions
Have you observed any change il
Judge Blackstone's mental condition
In recent years."
Yes. sir"
Please state the nature of TIL,
change said Mr.. Lewis.
Well" replied the witness, "wheY
Judge Blackstone first came on tn,
bench at Newport News considered
his the brightest mind with which
had ever come in contact. either in o.
out OF court. ] have noticed a marked
change for the worse in the past few
years.
What is his general reputation 70
sobrsetS and morality"
II regret to say 1t isn't good"
Drinl>a Too Much.
did you ever see Judge Blackston
Intoxicated on the streets of Newpor
News"
81 cannot say that I have. but 1t .
generally reported that he drinks to
much whiskey there and elsewhere"
Witness was cross examined by NJ
Collier, and admitted that JudG
Blackstone's decisions had stood tt
test of the Supreme Court we'll.
Just before leaving the stand NJ
Nelms. in answer to a question !
t-f Cha irrnan NIasSis Of the cnmmi ( I q