Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-02-26
ARGUMENTS COMPLETE
IN BLACKSTONE CASE
Continued from First pasc)


lines. This lawyer boldly met the
charge OF the judges nodding on the
bench. He attributed the Defendants
condition to drugs.
Mr.. CoSlier next touched on the
Judges morals. IL think" said he. re-
ferrlng to certain remarks OF Mr..
Lewis. that counsel for the prosecu-
ton has been unfair In his statement
of his evidence and In his references
10 witness In this case"
The lawyer alluded TO the testimony
OF Sheriff Curtiss. warm personal
friend OF the defendant. who swore
he had never at any time seen Judge
Blackstone drunk on the streets or
on the bench. or in n condition TO un-
tit him to carry on the business nj
his court.
MIR. Collier said that he. as well MS
Tue lawyers of the prosecution. agreed
That judges should be like Caesars
wife. above suspicion, but that In
practice Judge were like other I'm.
man beings. He then intImated that
some concessions also should bio made
TO bachelors. after which he discussed
certain portions of the evidence which
need not be repeated here.
Mr.. Collier dwelt with consider
able emphasis on Judge Blackstonc's
attention to business. Going back over
a period of four years." said he. Two
md that but once has he failed to
open his court-this. too. despite tho
dragnet charges" The lawyer intima-
leu that Judge Blackstone's record
In this respect, considering his III
health. was exceptional.
In concluding Mr.. Collier said con-
corning the case: at has been perse
cution pure and simple and Judge
blackstone has been bounded as few
people In this commonwealth hayo
peen and, as hope, will ever be again
hot for the purpose OF purifying the
judiciary or filling his position by
someone more lit to wear his robe.
but By those who. while they appear
rs whited sepluchers, are filled within
with dead mems bones"
His Case Preludred.
Scarcely less emphatic were tho
opening words in the speech of G.
Aylett Ashby. senior counsel for the
defense; Judge Blackstone" said the
lawyer. has been painted as drunk
ara. degraded debauched imbeclle n,
SO held up to the people not only of
the state of Virginia. but broadca ST
over the eastern part OF our country.
Such has been the fate of this man
VINO has given nearly his entire life
10 The service of his state-pictured
as a drunkard. disgraced and de-
bauched imbecile not appreciatine the
gentiiities of life. not knowing the
requirements the community made of
decent citizen filling his high posi-
tlon
These are the charges made against
Judge Blackstone, Numbered the elo-
quent young lawyer "but / say-I be-
lieye truthfully say-that no such
man stands before you, no not in the
opinion of anybody-and that the cal.
umny has been hurled back TO his ac-
cusers. stamped by this committee as
untrue in every Particular. believe
that the hand that has painted Judge
Blackstone In these colors either did
not know him as he really was or was
actuated by less than friendship Cor
him."
Mr.. Ashby lamented the quiclness
with which the public had jumped mt
conclusions In the case. people have
been cruciflea by public opinion" said
he. ut is strong man who can
stand against public sentiment"
A moment later the lawyer added {:
1 say our case has already been pre-
judgedi-alreaay Judged"
1T hasn't by this committee" re
torted Mr.. Page.
Mr.. Ashby then remarked that q
favorable verdict could hardly be ex.
pected from one who had read the
sweeping, drastic charges.
The lawyer. getting down to The
practical side of The case, took occa
sion TO remark that the petition ask
ing the removal or impeachment Of
judge Blackstone did not contain tht
signature of single lawyer in the
defendants circuit. mot one asks hi.
removal" remarked Mr.. Ashby.
caukht Committeeman Mapping.
Commenting upon the TACT that tho
Judge once dozcd upon the bench, Mr.
Ashby expressed the opinion that az.
ter all, this was a somewhat yenia
sin. II ntoiced member of this com.
mittee nodded for several minute!
while this investigation was going Oh,
said the lawyer but am certain no
body believes that any member of thi,
committee is not competent to pas.
upon this case"
The ever ready gentleman from
Hanover, Delegate Roosevelt Page, n
this rtorted: That was a priyileg,
occasionally granted Homer,