Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-01-25
RHEA AND BLACKSTONE.

After beginning OF proceedings in
The matter of the protest against
Judge Rhea's confirmation marked
by the spirit characteristic OF Viz
ginia IN her hest days aud of Virgil
mans of the highest type, one or two
unpleasant incidents have developed.
The first of these Is the action OF the
Bristol bar reported this morning. en-
dorsing Judge Rhea and BY implica.
ton denouncing his accusers. While
We respect the sense OF local and pro
fessional loyalty which doubtless
prompted this movement. the move
ment Itself seems to us To be III adj
vlsed ana inappropriate. The mat
ter now Is one OF evidence strictly.
Judge Rhen must stand or fall by
the record made in the investigation
to be conducted Is the confirmation
committee. Outside pressure or influ.
ence OF any kind Ia an intrusive and
improper as would be resolutions OF
n mass meeting regarding case on
trial in a court The people OF Vir.
sinia will expect and demand that
the inquiry to be conducted shall be
open. searching and conducted with
judicial fairness, calmness and dig
nifty.
Delegate Rows resolution to re-
quest the governor to withdraw Judge
lthcas nomination for the corpora
ton commission suggests an injustice
to all concerned. Judge Rhea's char
acter as Il man and his fitness as an
official have been questioned. He has
the right and 1t Is his duty TO himself.
IN hA IA Il
to the state. to prove his innocence
and confound his accusers. On the
other hand, those who have accused
him have the right, and 1t Is their
duty. To establish their case II they
can. They should have full opportu-
nifty to present the evidence on which
they have undertaken to- attack n
mans character andito show whether
they had fair pretext for thut attack.
whether they made themselves re-
tponsible f6r SANDER or whether
they arc, fight
Wesst of all is the suggestion. print
c,f In the Tlmcs-Dispatch this morn.
fing. that some members intend "a
Hank movement" against MIR. Rev by
bringing up the case of Judge Black
stone. We have regretted that the
case OF Judge Blackstone has not been
brought up. If he Is guilty of the
acts, methods and habits with which
he is charged he ought to be i'm.
penched. These charges have been
mado publicly in the newspapers. The
governor himself in an official utter
ancc has spoken of Judge Blackstone
In terms indicating contempt. We
arc surprised that somebody acting
In behalf of the state and of the puri.
ty and dignity of the judiciary has
not brought that question before the
Legislature already. 1t would be plt,.
full however. TO have n question af.
fecting tho honor and capacity of q
circuit judge logged in as part of a
political mnnoeuvre or as IA flank
movement" All these things should
be considered apart from political
and factional considerations All OF
US ought 10 be able to rise above
such considerations where the honor
of the commonwealth and the integ
rity of her representatives and Off,
cinlS Is concerned.
The cases of Judge Rhea and Judge
Blackstone have nothing to do with
each other and no attempt should be
made or tolerated TO link or associate
them. Judge Rhea and his accusers
should be heard and the case decided
according 10 the evidence presented,
regardless OF personal or political re.
sentiment or obligations. In Wow OF
publications. and declarations regard.
Ing Judge Blackstone. he should be
put on his defense in an orderly and
constitutional way and given the on.
portunity to clear himself; and If he
falls TO clear himself he should be
taken off the bench.-Richmond News.
Leader.