Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-03-27
rRIpAY. MARCH 81. 1908.
THE REMOVAL OF JUDGE BLACK
STONE


by letter and orally the Daily Press
has been criticised for not taking II
stand one way or another In the
blackstone case, but this paper be
lleyes, not only in the Blackstone
case, but IN all actions which are on
trial. that II is unwlse TO attempt 10
prejudice those who are to decide.
we cannot believe that I, is good po.
Hey for a newspaper to try to in
iiuence q jury which has criminal
case under consideration and the
same policy should prevail In case
such us Judge Blackstones, though, of
course, we are not intimating that tho
! Blnckstone case Is criminal In nature
II has been our belief that the men,
bers of the Virginia legislature are in
every way qualified to render just
verdict In the Blackstone case, and our
opinion Iins been sustained
That Judge blackstone has too long
occupied position on the bench of
sVsrgini, there is not n doubt In the
minds of all, except those who are
biased by friendship. His conduct
since the charges were first preferred
has alone been sufficient to condemn
him. His utterly defiant attitude,
his resorting to petty Quibbing and
his inclination to fall back OH every
Technically AS loop hole for escape
have made no friends for him through
out the state. and now that the legis
slature has voted to remove him from
tho bench. there will be feeling OF
general satisfaction There Is no lon
ger any doubt but that Blackstone and
his lawyers will resort to the courts tn
overthrow the vote of the General AS.
sembly, but if this is done great
mistake will be made. Perhaps ut the
present time there is some little sym.
pathy for the jurist. but IL he does
not accept the result of q perfectly
impartial and fair trial, 1t will all dis
appear rs vapor before sunshine.
1t is commended by the friends OF
Judge Blackstone. and perhaps just.
lys so. that the whole proceedings of
the legislature are irregular and H.
legal and that they will not stand
close scrutiny Oil the part of the high.
or courts. We will grant 1t is true
that the Legislature has acted in |
manner that Is not according to the
constitution, hut the bald. bare fact
ram ajrs that n r,o,nbar ,r Az, x,i.o;.>,
bench has admitted he Is an immoral
man, and we maintain, that regardless
of ali legal rights. that there Is no
place on the Virginia bench for Judge
Blackstone. The very fact that his
reputation has been snged Is sufii-
Client to lessen his usefulness ami
When a mans usefulness on the bench
is even questioned. II is time that the
man should cease to be Judge.
Even if he should be sustained in
whatever contentious he win make
before the highest courts of the state.
il viii be- only legal victory, and a
legal victory is mighty small CON
B pensation when there is a higher prin-
oipal involved---the moral law.
Judge Blackstone by his own ad
mission is an immoral man, and while
II Is true that he admitted this charge
in order to save some of his boon com.
panions. he nevertheless stands guilty
Of practices that should not be induls-
I'D In by any gentleman to say moth
ing Of man who is occupying place
on the bench OF Virginia. No mat
tsr what the ability of man may be,
no matter whatever his qualification
Z for making good judge are. If he Isl
an immoral maas Virginia must not
baye q place for him on Its bench.