The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-21
Blackstone Investigation
Taken Up Yesterday by
Committee.
REPUTATION is BAD,
WITNESSES DECLARE
Many Say Judge Was Apparently
Under Influence Of Whiskey
While on Bench - Testi-
mony OF Some Favor
able to the Ac-
cused.

FTER holding, three long ses.
N sions and making great pro-
~ gress in the Blackstone tn
vestigation, the House Com
mittee for Courts of Justice rose at
10 o'clock last night to resume the
taking OF testimony at 10 o'clock this
| morning.
Ninety-ni witnesses have BEEN
summoned. and the committee room
was crowded at all three sessions yes-
terday. 1t did not take the committee
| long to get down to business. and tho
| attorneys worked along very pleas
anty after they had few preliminary
wrangles relating to the scope OF the
inquiry.
Opening Statements.
The first action taken was the adop-
tion OF resolution offered by Mr.. Pull
liam providing that the rules Of legal
evidence govern the investigation.
Shortly thereafter came brief opening
statements from the opposing lawyers.
Judge Blackstone entered the room
early, accompanied by his attorneys,
Messrs. f. S. Collier, of Hampton; o.
F. Mears, of Northampton, and c. A.
Ashby, of Newport News. Mr.. L. r.
Mock. OF Accomac, who is to appear
reached the city.
The case was conducted yesterday for
the petitioners by Mr.. B. A. Lewis. Of.
Hampton. Mr. wyndham r. Meredith.
OF this city, one of his associates, be-
ing still confined to his home by sick
ness.
Mr.. w. w. woodward of Newport
News. appeared with Mr.. Lewis. but he
took no active part In the proceedings.
| Must Be Specific.
| On behalf of Judge Blackstone. Mr..
Collier asked that the charges be rade
more definite aud specific in certain
particulars. On this point he and Mr..
Lewis had a brief running debate.
After an executive session the COM
n:ittee returned. and Chairman Massie
read the notifications agreed to. which
appeared acceptable to both sides. It
was decided to limit the scope Of the
inquiry to acts of Judge Blackstone
during his present term, which COM
menced about four years ago, and to
require the prosecution to be specific
as to dates concerning Judge Black
stones alleged failure to open his court
promptly.
No Prosecution.
In his opening statement, Mr.. Lewis
said:
prosecution. and that am here simply
to aid this committee in fair and full
Investigation asked for by these petit
TONERS.
"rhe charges filed here are of q
grave and serious nature. The position
OF circuit Judge is an exalted one. and
II. should be kept pure and clean.
II knew Judge Blackstone when the
brilliancy of his mind was the pride
Of the bar and the people OF that cir
cult. I fear that day has passed. and
It, is with the greatest sorrow that
appear here. for my feelings for him
have always been the very kindest.
II am here without compensation.
would accept no ray. and If he go from
these halls vindicated from these Sc
ricus charges, as God is my witness.
shall rejoice with him.
For the Defense.
Mr.. Ashby spoke for Judge Black
stone in opening, and paid him an elo-
quent tribute as lawyer, legislator and
judge He expressed the belief that
many OF the petitioners were actuated
by malice. He declared that Judge
Blackstone did not shrink from an In
vestigation. but that he should not be
taken from the high place he holds
until he had the fullest opportunity
to disprove the charges The Newport
News lawyer asked. therefore. that
Judge Blackstone have the twenty days
notice. as contemplated by the pro-
visions OF section 1o4 OF the Consti Is
tuition. so as to be able to prepare
his defense further.
The committee overruled this mo-
ton. taking the ground that the Con-
stitution contemplated notice for re-
moval by the Legislature. and that the
section did not refer to an lnvestiga-
| tion by legislatlve committee. Ex-
ceptions to the ruling We're noted, and
the taking OF testimony was COM
menced.
New Line To-day.
The entire day was devoted to in.E
aulring into the 4charges against the
morality and inebriety OF the accused,
and into the specification alleging that
Judge Blackstone had fallen asleep
while trying man TOR his IFS.
A large number of lawyers from
Newport News and hampton We're put
on by the prosecution soma of them
made good witnesses for the accused
judge under the cross examination ot
Messrs Collier and Ashby. Mr.. Lewis
announced last night that he would
commence on another line this morn
ins.