Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-02-21
dpunkard and a very i'm

say otherwise?
| A--There Is this thing, the "other-
wise contingent Is not so numerous
and doesn't pretend 10 know
Mr.. Lewls-Ilaven't you often seen
Judge Blackstone drunk OH the Street?
AT this point Mr.. Lett paused re-
iiectively. He finally said that ne
couldn't tell--that Judge blackstone
was weak on his legs. as he has suf-
fered stroke of paralysis. and that.
therefore, he couldn't walk well. Wit
ness, under the circumstances. was
unable TO dlfTerentiate.
The defense asked Witness no
questions.
o. D. eatcelor Cautious, Too.
| O. ID. Bachelor, lawyer, of New
port News. next took the stand. He
has pracuced law since the fall OF
1898. Il have" he testified. seen
Judge Blackstone on the bench when
he seemed to be very wheth-
er from the effect of whlskey | can
not say, or whether from other caus-
es cannot say. But have seen him
| sGn the bench when his appearance
would indicate that he was not i'm
condition to properly discharge the
duties OF Judge"
| 'rh witness told OF n change for
the worse.
Mr.. Lewis--Are his habits good or
had?
Al do not know.
Mr. Lewis--Do you know his gen
oral reputation for sobrlety and mcr.
ality?
Q--What Is II?
Al think ought to say bad, but
yet think | should qualify 1t to this
extent-that have very naturally
heard the matter discussed much re-
Gently And | have heard many peo-
pie who are closer to him than my.
self. and who have better opportuni-
ties to know HIS, refute the state
ments which have been current as to
his lack OF sobriety and morality.
Mr.. Bachelor admitted that I'm re
cent years he and other lawyers had
preferred to have their cases tried
In other courts than those of Judge
blackstone
Mr. l.ewis-Haye you seen him in
toxicated on the street or elsewhere?
A--The word Intoxicated Is one OF
very indefinite meaning. have new
or seen him when ne couldn't take
care OF himself.
Mr.. Lewis-lIavc you seen him
when no was under the influence of
ntoxicants?
AL have.
Cross examined by Mr. Ashby, the
witness admitted that even now he
had an important case in Judge
i'iackstone's court. and that he had
entertained no objection against the
Judge
Ho would prefer to have It in an
other court. The witness further adj
mitted that rs counsel fer the James
town Exposition he necessarily had
had business which caused him TO sec
less of the Judge than usual.
Mr. Ashby--Is 1t not n fact that
yon do not like Judge blackstone?
Alt is not fact that dislike
him personally. l have always had
the RIndest feelings for him.
w. J. Neims on the Stand.
w. j. helms. lawyer. Newport
News. next took the chair. He testi-
ned that he had seen the judge in
toNicated within the last four years
more than once.
Mr.. helms told OF the change that
had come over the defendant. II re-
gret to say that have" was the way
he put IL in answering question.
think that when Judge Blackstone
came on the bench at Newport News
and Hampton he was the brightest
man ever saw. | DON'T think / ever
saw his superior on OF off. don't
think that that is his condition at the
present time.
Q--What do YOU think is his con-
dition at the present time?
Al don't think he is as bright as
he was by great deal. His mind
hasn't that quickness and the faculty
for rocollectIng that he formerly had
either for long or short periods.
Q-Do you known his general rep.
u'ation for sobriety or morality?
Al think so.
Q-What Is 1t?
Al regret. sir, that it isn't good.
witness. however, had heard of
some Improvement recently.
Mr.. LeiwS-lHave you ever seen
him under tho influence of liquor or
intoxicated on the bench or during
the tenn OF his court?
A-That would be a difficult mat
ter to say.
me iuage's step Is not firm--a fact
due | am told. to an attack Of par
niysis he has suffered. couldn't Say
nave ever seen him drunk on the
streets of Newport News.
MT Lewis-lsn't 1t n matter OF cur