The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-12
NY LEWIS H. MACHEN.

Things were stirring at the Capitol
uli day yesterday.
The Senate took another fall out of
amendment allowing treasurers OF
counties to succeed themselves. The
policy OF the Legislature seems to be
TO give the people a chance to vote on
a few clauses OF the Constitution,
which was presented to them as a
whole by the proclamation of the Con-
vention.
The dog tax bill and the football
bill created some diversion in the
ball, including number of colleGe
men. was a distinct surprise. In three
or four more sessions the delegate
from Brunswick may get his bill
through.
The New Investigation.
But in the House the matter of the
Investigation of certain charges against
Judge Blackstone was the most In
teresting. The majority of the Courts
Committee had previously filed a re.
port to the effect that the charges
y should be Investigated, but that the
remaining portion of che session did
not suffice for that purpose.
A minority report, signed by three
members Of the committee. was filed
yesterday declaring that the charges
were too serious to go without an In
vestigation. The chairman of the COM
mttee, Delegate Massie,. who was one
of the signers of the minority report.
made an earnest speech in its favor,
saying that the case called loudly for
action. and would allow of no neglec,
because of inconveniences to members.
He opposed an extra session, but
thought the members should show
their patriotism by extending the ses-
sion, If necessary. The minority re-
port embodied resolution for an in
vestigation by a special House Com
mittee of five.
There were two other resolutions
pending-one for a committee of ten to
be composed of members of both
houses, and another for an investiga-
tion forthwith by the Courts Com.
mittee of the House. a point of order
was raised that all resolutions We're
out OF order which did not provide for
a Joint committee, and things seemed
TO be about to become chaotic.
The Procedure.
The speaker cleared the atmosphere
by ruling that the House should first
determine whether. if the charges We're
sustained. there should be an impeach-
ment or removal If. the former the
Investigation should be made by a
committee of the House, which alone
is charged with the duty of moving an
impeachment. If the latter. the com
mites of investigation should be
composed of members of both houses.
Finally the Featherston resolution
providing for an investigation by the
Courts Committee of the House, was
adopted. This committee held. meet
ings afternoon and evening
OF course the committee may report
in favor of removal or Of impea chment
In case the House decides that there
should be a removal, 1t must do so
by a joint resolution. which must lie
concurred in by the Senate. Then, per-
haps, there should be further inves-
tigation by a joint committee, which
should report to both houses.
II the Courts Committee should adj.
wise impeachment, there will probably
be committee appointed to formulav,
the articles, which will me referred
to the Senate for trial. The Constitu-
ton permits the Senate to try an i'm
peachment, either during the session
pr in vacation. An Interesting point
Is that there Is no statute providing
how, when or by whom the Senate may
be called together In vacation for the
purpose of trying an impeachment. No
Houbt, such statute might be passed
unless 1t should be determined that
lhls part of the Constitution is self
Acting, and that the Senate itself may
lecide, by a resolution, the mode in
which it may be assembled, and when
IS We'll as the details of its procedure
Some Difficulties.
The great difficulty about the re-
.
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