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

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At the opening OF the afternoon noe
sion Judge Blackstone commenced the
Introduction OF his testimony, and Ser
geant r.. w. Mllstead. OF Newport
News, was his first witness. He said
as City Sergeant he attended regularly
the terms of the accused judges court.
and the business was dispatched
promptly and intelligently at all times,
The witness combated former testlmo-
ny which was to the effect that Judge
Blackstone had not been in good men-
tai condition in recent damage suit
proceeding in his court. and declared
that he had never seen the Judge grasp
the intricate problems before him more
quickly Or dispose OF them more In
telligently. He had never seen tho
judge intoxicated upon the bench.
though he had seen him preside when
he had taken a drink.
For Judge Blackstone.
Sergeant Milstead was cross-examln-
ed by Mr.. Lewis. and he declared he
had never heard Judge Blackstone's
reputation for morality and sobriety
discussed. The witness made good
impression for Judge Blackstone.
Mr.. Il. j. Christian. Jr., a Newport
News lawyer. was next sworn.
You know Judge Blackstone, do
your" Mr.. Ashby asked.
Very we'll"
How is the business of his court
conducted?"
with Intelligence and dispatch"
Does he seem 10 grasp problems
before him Complementary?
Yes, sir
On REORGANIZATION witness admit
ted that he had had but few cases
in Judge Blnckstone's court within tho
past few years.
Attorney j. Harry Rev. of Accomac.
testified that Judge Blackstone con-
ducts the business OF his court expcdi-
t!ously and that he had never seen
him drunk on the bench.
Upon REORGANIZATION Mr.. Rev
said that the docket OF the court was
pretty full at present, but that he
thought this was duo to the great bust
ness of large and progressive county.
Judge Brown Tentihcs.
Police Justice j. D. G. Brown. of
Newport News. next testified that tile
business of Judge Blackstone's court
In Newport News is always conducted
with dispatch and decorum. Witness
said he had heard the judges Teputa-
ton for sobriety questioned. but he had
never seen him intoxicated on the
bench. He thought he was known to
be a drinking man.
r. -. u.
of Newport News, swore that the bust
ness OF Judge Blackstone's court was
always conducted with great dispatch.
He had never seen him drunk on the
bench. He thought that the judges
mind was clear, and that he was in
better mental condition than when
elected in 1904. When ne was chosen
the last time the judge was in q hos
pital under the advice OF his physi-
clan. he had never seen him asleep
on the bench either in Newport News
or Hamilton. The witness had never
heard Judge Blackstone's reputation
for morality questioned until recently
and he thought the question came then
mostly from a few lawyers. Indeed, lie
had heard more about 1t since the IN
yestieation started than in all the
time before.
Mr.. Lewis sharply cross-examined
the witness. and they INDUCED IN soma
rather warm passages.
MI, Smith positively denied that ne
had ever advised Judge Blackstone 10
resign. and in discussing his moral
habits, he declared that he thought
Judge Blackstone had held hlnseIl
pretty we'll. He was not a teetotaler,
and like other drinking men, he was
liable to take little too much some-
times.
Thought lie Was Drunk.
Mr.. Ashby now put on the stand Mr..
Fay S. Collier who is one OF Judge
Rlackstones attorneys. and who was
counsel in the Pavalinic and sheets
cases, in both of which it has been
alleged that the judge fell asleep on
the bench. In speaking Of the Pava-
linic trial. he declared 1t had been q
long and tedious one. and that the
Judge had been asleep for a short time.
Witness had thought he was drunk
at first, and had said SO in the pres
ence Of DR.. HOPE and others. He be-
came thoroughly satisfied the next day
that the judge had not been under the
sick man.
Mr.. Collier said he did not recall that
the Judge had slept on the bench in
the Sheets trial, though long-drawn- out
cases often made presiding judges
drowsy. Ie had never heard Judge
Blackstone's reputation for morality
discussed to any extent, except at and
since the Pavnliric trial.
Mr.. Rs q. Rickford, prominent New
pert News lawyer expressed his belief
that Judge Blackstone was competent
to grasp any legal proposition coming
before him. and he regarded the Judge,
in the matter Of ability. as second to
no other in the State.
IT am in a peculiarly good position
to say this. as Judge Blackstone has
decided every case against me which
have had in his court within the past
four or five years" continued the wit
ness, He was only briefly cross EEK
amined, and when he stood aside the
committee nrosA until 10 o'clock this
moving.
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