Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-02-21

yer. who has been practicing since
1872.
Answering question. witness said:
s. When Judge blackstone first went
upon the bench l mad been practlcing
before many famous judges, but II
don't think have any hesitation in
saying that Judge Blackstone was en-
lowed by Providence with the most
gigantic intellect l over knew. ju-
dicially speaking. of course"
0-sl he SELL in that conCition?
A-When Judge Blackstone first
comes upon the bench, you can still
see the flashes OF his former bril-
iiancy, but am very sorry 10 say
that after holding his court for some
days MS energies seem TO collapse.
o--Waat. then. is his mental con-
dition?
A-The judge at one time mad the
most iron memory of any man ever
saw. WITNESS here cited an illus
tratlon In poInty lie seems to have
lost his grip upon things. There seems
10 be n collapse after holding court
for a few days.
MIR. Jones testified that he had
never seen the Judge drunk on the
bench
Mr.. Lewis-Haye you seen him
when he was Observation-Disclosures the
influence OF liquor?
Al am. sorry to say that | have
The judge had adjourned court for
the evening after the case OF Jones
vs. Newport News Shipbuilding and
Dry Dock Company
Asked as to Judge BIackstone's
reputation for morality and sobriety.
Mr.. Jones created much mirth when
he retorted: 81 never saw him in any
place OF disFepute in my life"
a little laser, when the laughter
subsidized. he added:
The Judge has a. great many par
tisahs and great many people
who"
Here Delegate Montague inter
rupted to say. You haven't testified
whether you knew or not?
Delegate Page here retorted:
u think the witness has a right 10
answer the question In his own way"
The chair so ruled. Then Mr.. Jones
resumed.
u think ~. sir"
What Partisars say.
Q-What is IL?
Al was going ON to say that
Judge Blackstone has some nartisans
IN the city OF Newpor, News and
here are n great many people who
nave spoken 10 me on the subject.
anu who have expressed the opinion
that Judge Blackstone's Character
Ter morality and sobriety is not good.
regret very much to say that: II Is
very painful to me. Our relations arc
Oh the most cordial and friendly
character.
Inc defense now took the witness
IN hand and Mr.. Collier asked: isn't
IL fact that he Is an absolutely fnlr
Just and impartial JUICE on the
benh?
Mr.. Lewis here interrupted to say:
Everybody viii admit that"
Mr. Jones replied: II have never
heard any complaint SO far as
know"
NJ Ashby. for the dofense-Is not
Judge Blackstone the victim of con-
trast; L mean this-that being unable
10 attend TO his business with HIS
former brilliancy. to which Won have
testified. he suffers by the contrast
Isn't he today the equal OF a great
many lawyers practlcing in ...s
courts?
Inc last part OF this query,-that
part which touched upon the law
yers--created some mirth. M 1ones
smiling replied: Yes. sir; think
So"
Right Sharp Politician.
touching on Judge Blackstone's
ABILITY. witness went on to explain
that, he never Thought Judge black.
stone fine speaker,-that Is Meas
ing sneaker, ~ stated at the outset"
said he. that Judge Blackstone. when
first knew him, was endowed by
Providence with one of the most
wonderful intellects had ever come
III contact with. did not have ref
crence 10 his being an advocate"
bnt you have never heard him
argue case?" someone suggested
Wltness admitted that he hadn't
put someone else then suggested that
perhaps he had heard him sneak nj
political conventions.
Catching this suggestion, Mr.. Jones
SAID: The judge was right sharp
poiticlan. He used to be In politics.
Mr. Montague asked this question:
rs IL or not true that II judge In.
auiges in the use OF intoxicants at
oil, II Is more apt to be matter OF
comment than the same habit am
ohg other men. | mean to ask If
comment would not cause it to be a