The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-27
SENATE

Following prayer by the Rev George
W. Mcdaniel, OF the First Baptist
Church. the Senate of Virginia spent
practically all of yesterday in a discus
sion of the methods of procedure in the
Blackstone case. Many of the speak
ers who argued against the committee
report recommending the removal of
the Tidewater judge frankly stated
that they favored the removal of Judge
Blackstone. but doubted the legality of
the method OF procedure. 1t was stated
that Judge Blackstone would undoubt-
Appeals should his attorneys be able
to discover any possible ground of
error, and further, should Judge Black
stone be removed he would probably
ask an Injunction to prevent his sue
cessor from taking his seat.
Senator Mann, chairman of the SEN
ate Committee for Courts of Justice,
stated that the committee had sat with
the House Committee for Courts of
Justice. holding a session yesterday
afternoon and again this morning. The
committee had made its report to the
House with a resolution providing for
the removal of Judge Blackstone for
the causes found in the report of the
Committee for Courts of Justice--inl-
morality and neglect of duty. Judge
Mann said he made this statement so
that the Senate could proceed with the
discussion Of the merits of the case
without awaiting the formal action OF
the House.
Would Grant New Hearing.
Senator Holt, of Newport News.
asked whether the attorneys for Judge
IlI. rit
tunity to be heard before the joint
committee.
Judge Mann replied that they had
not asked to be heard other than to
file the formal reply of the accused.
Senator Holt pushed his point, ask
ing again whether the attorneys would
have an opportunity of presenting
their case. Judge Mann said that the
committee was of the opinion that suf-
ficient opportunity had been given
counsel.
Senator Strobe asked ii the attorneys
had intimated that they desired any
further hearing. Judge Mann replied:
Mr.. Collier asked whether he could
attend the sessions of the committee
and was told that they were executive.
He did not offer to make any state
ment or submit any detailed or spe-
NAL entered by Judge Blackstone"
Senator Holt spoke In favor Of fur
ther consultation with Judge Black
stones attorneys. II take it the Legis-
lature will not act hastily or do any
injustice to Judge Blackstone, without
giving his counsel an opportunity TO
be heard"
Work Done In Secret.
Senator Sims said that he was In
favor OF the removal OF the Judge, but
questioned the method OF procedure.
IF no other evidence is to be be-
fore us am ready to vote. but I can
not escape the conviction that under
section 104 the defendant has a right
to be heard If he wants to be heard.
"He has in his answer filed here de-
MED certain allegations as to his guilt
made by witnesses before the com
mittee Of the other house. Having
entered the plea OF not guilty. we
should give him the opportunity to
substantiate 1t. If We proceed in this
matter we are giving the defendant
an opportunity to overturn our whole
action. and make nugatory what we
have done. The two committees have
sat on this case, but their doors have
not been open for the accused or his
counsel, their sessions being execu-
tive"
Senator Gunter, of Accomac, the
home county OF Judge Blackstone,
spoke against the committee report,
saying: II cannot relieve myself of
the impression that when the Consti-
tuition required the twenty-day notice,
it implied that at the end of that
time he would have an opportunity to