The Washington herald., 1908-01-30
.FAVORS JUDGE RHEA
Committee Declines to Hear
Several Of the Charges.
PROSECUTION IS WEAKENING
Chief Accusation Remaining Is that
OF Conducting a Fraudulent Census
of Bristol and OF Accepting a Bride
In jordan Case-Decision Always
i'm Favor of the JuFIst.
spsct.l 70 NE washine.on Hsrald

Special to The Washington Herald
Richmond, Va. Jan. 29.-Througbout al
Of to-day and tonight the Joint commit
tee Of the two houses Of the legislature
on combinations listened 10 the wrang-
lings Of lawyers for and against the con
hrmation of Judge William F. Rhea. OF
Bristol. as a member Of the State cor
poration commission.
While nothing OF a tangible or definite
nature took place during the extended
hearing. it is said tonight that Senator
Noels failure to tx definite charges and
his tendency 10 deal with generalities has
greatly strengthened Judge Rhea's case.
The open manner in which his attorneys
yielded 10 the full investigation Of the
charges are decidedly in his favor.
Attorney Bullitt. for the prosecution. TO
the surprise OF all who have watched
the case from its beginning. again asked
for a continuance at the conclusion Of
to-day's hearing in order that he might
further consult with his witnesses and
determine the manner in which he viii
conduct his case. Attorneys for the de-
Tense raised no objection to the continu-
ance, as Bullltt promised 10 push the
investigation as rapidly as possible. be-
ginning tomorrow afternoon at O'Clock.
Judge PhIegar Retires.
Judge Phlegar. who. until tonight. has
been Judge Rhea's leading counsel, re-
tired. stating that he had engagements
10 fulhIl. He will not appear in the case
again.
The committees ruling that the defense
must conhne itself TO specific charges has
ruled out several Of the most severe
charges which might otherwise have con-
sumed great deal % the time OF the
investigating committee, chief amsng
which is that IN which Judge Rhea was
accused Of having aided and abetted GER
tain frauds in the Ninth district. The
committee held that these charges had
been entirely thrashed out before a. com
mittee, mostly Republicans, In the Con
gress Of the United States. and that they
thought the action Of the Congressional
committee sufficient yindication.
The chief charges which Judge Rhea'z
counsel will be called upon 10 refute viii
be that in which he is charged with con-
Quoting a fraudulent census OF the citv
OF Bristol at the time ne became CORPORA
ton judge OF that city; his decision in the
Jordan case. IN which he is accused or
having accepted a bribe. that II having
changed the election returns in the Sleup-
Rhea Congressional campaign Of 1852. and
a further charge that his general reputa-
ton in Southwest Virginia is such that
ne should not be allowed a seat on the
commission.
Judge Rhea Always Wins.
Frequently during the hearing to-day
the investigation was checked while the
committee retired TO consider and settle
some question which had sprung up be
tween the opposing attorneys. and once
or twice the lawyers themselves retired
to consult privately among themselves.
The decisions of the committee were
each time in favor OF Judge Rhea's al
torneys. they always arguing that Bull
lifts charges did not specify acts com
mitted by Judge Rhea.
Six OF the witnesses summoned from
Southwest Virginia were discharged to-
night and viii leave at once for home.
never having spoken d word in open m-
vestigation. In recommending the dis
charge OF the witnesses, an of whom were
summoned for the prosecution. Senator
Noel explained that they were brought
TO Richmond to testify as TO the alleged
frauds. and that it would be useless 10
keep them longer. as the committee had
ruled that no evidence would be heard
along these lines. The committee urged
upon the alto tneys the necessity Of bring
ing the investigation to a speedy conclu-
sion