Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-02-11
effort Now Being Made to Have
Charges Investigated by Spac.
laI Committee.
ACTION DEFERRED UNTIL TO-DAY
Such Small Attendance it Was Deem.
ed Advisable TO Postpone Action on
Resolution Till Tcday-Looks as il
Election of Commissioners Bill
Would go Through.

Especial 10 The Daily Press
RICHMOND. VA. Fob. lot is al
most an assured fact that if the
House committee on courts of JUS
dec finds cause tomorrow morning
sufficient 10 warrant an investiga-
ticn tending TO the removal oil Judge
j. W. G.. Blackstone of the Eleventh
judicial Circuit, that Governor Swan
son will be called upon TO call nm
extra session of the legislature in
which 10 hear the charges.
The committee meeting will be held
nj 10 o'clock, and already % or 80
Witnesses are in The city TO testify
against the accused judge,
Those who expected Il debate in thu
who expected Il sharp debate in the
House today on the matter of the
proposed impeachment or removal Of
Circuit Judge Blackstone were dis
appointed, as the consideration of the
question was postponed, owing TO the
small attendance OF membcls.
Delegate J. s. Craig of Rockbridge.
sought 10 bring up the discussion
when he offered the following reso.
luton
Whereas, The committee OF courts
OF Justice. TO whom was referred Ger
tain petitions against the Hon. j. W..
G.. Blackstone. judge of the Eleventh
judicial Circuit. making serious
charges against him. and
Whereas. said committee for courts
of justice has reported to this House
that said cha: ges should be inycs-
tigated. but that tho public business
before the General Assembly affect
ing the whole state is entitled to pre-
cednce," and
Whereas. They further report that
the lateuess OF the session and tne
requirements OF the constitution are
such that it Is incxpedient. if not
impossible for the General Assembly
NJ this regular session to make an
Investigation; now. therefore
Resolved, by the House of Dele
gates, the Senate concurring:
First, That it is the sense of the
General Assembly. based upon the
report of the committee for courts CT
Justice of he House. that the charg-
IS against the Hon. J. W. G. Black
stone should be investigated.
Second. That committee of ten
DO appointed. six on the part al The
House to be designated by the Speak
or. and -four OH the part OF the SEN
ate. TO he chosen by the president,
who shall at once proceed To formu-
late the charges and specifications
against the Hon. j. W. G. Blackstone.
judge Of The Circuit Court Of the
Eleventh Judicial Circuit. and present
the same to the House and Senate,
together with such resolutions or
recommendations as may TO them
seem necessary to meet the cxigcnces
OF the case.
They shall be. and are hereby. au-
thorizcd and empowered to send for
persons and papers.
Third, For the purpose of properly
executing the above The. governor is
hereby requested to convene the Cen
era Assembly in cxtraordinarv SEES
sion on the 9th day of March. 1905. at
IL M
MI Craig. in explanation of his
resolution said:
Il dent believe we can afford 10
go back home and say that this lcgis :
latrre refused 10 investigate ha t
case"
Speaker Eyrd interrupted TO cx-
plain THAI the question was, ON re
fcrring the resolution. ana that Tho
time had not then come for an OK
plara'ion of its object.
Mr.. Craig insisted that The House
was just rs competent To act upon tho
matter as tho committee. He said
the House was thoroughly competent
to settle the question and that prompt
action was necessary.
Captain Read OF Mccklcnburg
thought a full house ouE-lt 10 pass
on the matter AS many were ob
sent. he asked Mr. Craig 10 lei tho
resolution 20 over until tomorrow
Mr.. Craig agreed t o this.
Delegate Featherstonc then offerct
(COntinucd on psro SevenN