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

When the hearing was resumed, cap
tain C. c. Berkeley was sworn, and
testified that he was a member of the
Newport News bar.
do you bring many suits in Judge
Blackstone's court?" he was asked by
AIR. Lewis.
II do not" he replied.
"Why?"
Because the other court in Newport
News is more competent to hear and
determine the litigation"
HAS this always been so?'
NO. sir
How long has it been sou
About four years"
Nevc: Tried.
What is the cause of the changer"
1T is, in my opinion, due to the
mental condition of The circuit Judge.
| 1t was fou? years ago that l inSti-
tutod my last suit In Judge Black
stones court That case is now upon
the docket and has never been tried"
| do You know Judge Blackstone's
general reputation for morality ano
sobriety?"
Yes, SIR"
what is it?"
at is. as far as I know it. that he
| is under the influence Of intoxicants
off the bench"
Have you seen him under the influ-
ence Of intoSicants during the past
| four years while on the bench?"
las said l have been little in his
court during the last four years; there
| fore l cannot answer"
i HI, Integrity.
i Cross examined by Mr. Collier wit
! ness said he had not seen Judge Black
stone drunk in the past four years on
II the bench.
What is the judges reputation for
integrity and impartiality as judge?"
asked Mr.. Ashby.
This question was not answered for
the present, Mr.. Lewis quickly declar-
4 Ing that 1t was cheerfully conceded
that Judge Blackstone is one of the
most impartial and upright jurists In
the State.
We'll, If the other side withdraws
!. the question the committee will ask
it," said Mr.. Page.
I'VE want it answered. said Mr..
Collier, and then the witness said
[ Judge Blackstone's reputation for in
was good
Another Lawyer.
) Mr.. e. NJ. Braxton, a Newport News
lawyer testified that he had never seen
, Judge Blackstone drunk on the bench,
though he had seen him drunk off the
bench In 1906.
He agreed with former witnesses that
the reputation of Judge Blackstone
:, for morality and sobriety was bad, and
: he also corroborated other evidence
: that his mind has weakened in recent
: years.
Witness testified that In a damage
suit at Hampton last January Judge
:, Blackstone had a chill on the
= bench, and that a lawyer from the bal
: had to be selected to preside during
;, the remainder of the trial.
:, WAS there anything in the appear
y ance or actions OF Judge Blackstone
= 10 indicate that he was drunk" aske.
- Mr.. Collier.
e mo. sir" replied the witness with
out hesitation.
!. Testifying as to the change ALLEGED
in Judge Blackstone's mental capacity
witness said there was a time whcf
Judge Blackstone carried absolute
II conviction to his mind through hi
decisions, though this was not true
n at present.
- Showed Effects.
D Mr.. w. c. L. Taliaferro, member o.
the Hampton bar, testified that thougf
he did not l:now that he had ever seer
Judge Blackstone incapacitated 70
p, work on the bench he had seen hin
st on the bench whom he showed the ef
l. fects of whiskey.
ii. AS to Judge Blackstones men
; tai capacity and his reputation 70
. morality and sobriety, witness agree
- In the main with the testimony O
= other lawyers who had been on during
'p the day.
Have You noticed any change II
a Judge Blackstone's mental condition
III between the opening and closing of
IN torn of his court?" asked Mr.. Lewis
he u have seen him when lie appeare,
- IN better condition mentally at tn
: opening of q torn. and vice versa,
he replied
~ a. Have you ever failed 10 try a cas-
- owing TO the mental condition of tn
Judge"
TIE Failed to Come.
~, 90 II recall at least one such Instance
W. Docs Judge Blackstone SGT all tn
i leases on the. docket and then dispos