The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-25
Defense Rests, and But Few
More Witnesses Are
to Be Heard.
ARGUMENT MAY BE
COMPLETED TODAY
Testimony Yesterday Similar to
That OF Saturday, and All in
Favor Of Accused Judge,
Whose Friends APP
pear Hope
full.

AUSING considerable surprise
about tho Capitol yesterday
afternoon. counsel for the de-
~ fense in the Blackstone inves-
ligatior announced shortly af-
ter 1 O'Clock that they had no more
witnesses, and would rest their case,
thus bringing tho matter practically
to closo SO far as tho taking of tes-
tlmony is concerned.
Mr.. Lewis, OF counsel for the prose-
cution, wished to Introduce two or three
more witnesses In rebuttal, and Ser
geant Lipscomb has gone to Phoebus
and Hampton to summon them. The
party will arrive here this morning,
and the committee will reconyene at
10 o'clock.
Mr.. Wyndham r. Meredith, who was
entered as leading counsel for the
prosecution, but who has been detained
at home by sickness. was present at
the morning session for tho first time
during the actual hearing. He took
no part in tho proceedings, but may
assist Mr.. Lewis in the argument.
Favorable to Blackstone.
Testimony yesterday was highly
favorable to Judge Blackstone. The
defense introduced a largo number of
witnesses. and there came not a con-
flicttng word from any of them, even
on cross examination. Indeed, Mr.. Lewis
Questioned only few, and from these
drew no admissions which were at all
damaging to the accused Judge. The
witnesses were mainly from the East
ern Shore, though several came from
Newport News and Warwick county.
The list was composed almost entirely
OF praeticing attorneys and court Off
cials in Judge Blackstone's circuit.
The witnesses had never seen the
Judge either asleep or drunk on the
bench, and declared. one after the
other, that the business of his court
is dispatched expeditiously and intelli-
gently. and that his general reputa-
tion for sobriety and morality is good.
1t was easily another Blackstone day.
and the friends of the Judge were
in good spirits over the outlook when
the committee adjourned
As was the case on Saturday, there
We're many Interruptions, members Of
the committee being called frequently
to tho House to vote upon important
| bills.
Argument To-Day.
The argument viii, begin to-day, and
may be completed, though this is not
certain, as each side will want con-
siderable time in which to dissect the
evidence.
The committee may report to the
House this week. and there is already
speculation as to a probable division,
conjecture. The end, however, ap-
pears to be In sight. and tho matter
will be disposed OF In reasonably
short time.
Just after the committee convened
at the morning session Yesterday. Mr..
Lewis arose to say he afad been In
formed that during his cross-examina-
ton of Clerk Of Court D. G.. Smith,
OF Newport News on q former day, he
used language to which Mr.. Smith
took exception. The attorney declared
that he had no intention OF reflecting
upon the witness. and he asked that
tho language objected to be expunged
from the record. The request way
readily granted.
Hearing In Detail.
Whom the committee was called to
order by Chairman Massie, Mr.. Wynd-
ham r. Meredith. of this off,. was with
Messrs. Lewis and Woodward as senior
counsel for the prosecution. He has
been confined to his homo by sickness
since tho Investigation began, and
Though he appeared at the preliminary
session OF the committee. this was his
first attendance upon the actual hear
Ing since that time.
Mr.. Ashby moved that the specihca-
l tion concerning neglect OF official
duty" he stricken out, inasmuch as
dates had not been specified. Mr.. Lewis
said he would amend SO as to specify
every term OF Judge Blackstone's court
since his last election, SO far as Eliza
beth City county Is concerned. The
/ amendment was allowed. Mr.. J. r.
Continued on Eight Pagc.)