The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-26
On Par with Bnrroom rolk:

On Par With Bnrroom Eolk:
"Are our highest officials to be pm.
upon a par with barroom Ioafers? Are
our judges to set such examples, when
they should be looked up to by the
citizens!
Our people arc crying to you for
relief from this horrible condition of
affairs,H and shall 1t be said that you
Will turn deaf ear to their plead :
Tugs?
How can a Judge properly fine a
witness or juror for being ten min
utcs late at court when he Is often
TWO hours late in going on tho bencl,?''
Mr.. Lewls's speech was brief, though
1t was earnest and eloquent through
out. His peroration was strong np-
pea; for Judge Blackstone's removal
on the ground that he was not proper
man to hold the high position OF cir
cult judge. in view of the evidence aJ-
duced against him at the investigations
Gentlemen of the committee" he
saia In conclusion, II leave the case
with your convictions and condolences,
believing that your Judgment will be
such as Will insure the protection of
thc rights of the people"
Mcnrs for Judge Blackstone.
Mr.. Ohio f. Meats of Northampton,
followed for Judge Blackstone. speak.
Ing at times with much force and
Garnestness.
Mr.. Mears addressed himself mainly
TO the question OF charity, and asked
that the committee be lenent In its
verdict.
I'm considering this case, yor should
consider 1t with reference to the fral-
ties OF human nature" he said 1--WE
arc all living, but we are not all dead.
Judge Blackstone has been upon the
bench for nearly ten years. and no
adler, fairer or more impartial jurist
has ever sat upon the bench OF this
Commonwealth.
"He is physically weak man, and
owing to this he sometimes takes slim
ulants. which may for the moment
make him do what otherwise he would
not do.
"a wave OF morality seems to be
sweeping over our State. and / do not
SO much regret IL. but let us not 20
too fast
Judge Blackstone has been said to
have seen seen on the streets in
drunken condition. He is afflicted. He
has been paralyZed. and those who
know him we'll know that his gait is
UNSTEADY, and a person not so well
acquainted with him might think he
'ao aaH'' hiiS 4H>AhSASS o. !iiuor HHeH
he was not.
Gentlemen, in your report I ask
you to be charitable, and 1 ask you to
consider what II mans TO Judge Black
stone and 10 his friends to turn him
cut
In making up your report, again
beg you to be charitable. and to say
TO Judge Blackstone, Go thy way and
sin no more"
CulIa !. Persecution.
Mr.. Collier followed Mr.. Mcars. and
IN his opening remarks he charged
that the petitioners were conducting a
persecution instead of a prosecution. /,
He ridiculed MIR. Lewis for apologize
ing for appearing in the case, and at
times was highly sarcastic in his
references TO the conduct of the in
quiry by the other side.
Mr.. Collier first took up the charge
that Judge Blackstone was alseep on
the bench in the Sheets case, and he
declared that 1t had not been proven
by the evidence. Coming next to the
Pavalin!c case in which 1t is also alleg-
lier contended that the evidence show
I'd that the cause of the drowsiness of
the court on this occasion was the re-
suit OF nlcricine prescribed by his ply
sician. and not of whiskey.
In discussing the charges OF immoral
lily against Judge Blackstone, the
Hampton lawyer was severe in his
structures upon some OF the witnesses