The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-27

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a tlgation, and that the House
Committee for Courts of JUS
tice, having the matter in charge, will
unanimously recommend the removal
of the accused Judge of the Eleventh
judicial Circuit, by Joint resolution
of the two houses of the General AS
sembly
Members of the committee are not
discussing the matter, further than tn
say that a report to the House may be
made either to-day or tomorrow, but
1t is known that the subcommittee nov
drafting the report, is composed of
Colonel Il. c. Massie, chairman. and
Messrs. Page, of Hanover, and Thrift,
of Madison. and that the members of
the general committee are all of one
mind and faith. to the effect that the
accused judge should be removed
The report is hardly expected be-
fore tomorrow, though 1t may be
submitted to-day. 1t Is understood
that the friends OF Judge Blackstone
are hoping for division in the COM
mittee, but this hope is barren one.
as according to information the report
will be signed by all the members.
The contest arising out of the pc
tition presented by citizens of Eliz-
abeth City county, asking for Judge
Blackstone's removal from the bench
has been short and sharp. so far as the
committee Is concerned, and is record
breaker, when compared with the
Campbell case, and that of Judge Will
liam L. Rhea, whose confirmation as
Corporation Commission has so long
hung fire in the General Assembly
Joint Committee on Confirmation.
One Charge Did 1t.
There is good deal of sympathy in
legislative circles for Judge Black
stone, and but for the awful charges
his alleged moral deIinquencies, he
would undoubtedly be allowed to servo
out the two years left of his present
term. To the sweeping allegations OF
immortality. Judge Blackstone made
practically no defense. Indeed. in one
striking instance. perhaps the most
narrowing and damaging OF ALL he
E'eaded guilty. That Is. he ac-
knowledged the charge, and asked that
the name Of friend with him at tho
time be eXpunged from the record.
In the face of an adverse report Of
the committee, which is now an abso-
Lutte certainty. Judge Blackstone has
but single chance to serve out his
present term. which will expire two
years hence, and that Is that d tangle
may arise at the end of the present
session as to the final ac-
tion of that body with reference to the
report Of the Committee for Courts Of
Justice.
After this report Is made to the
House, the accused must be given
twenty days notice, under section 10l
of the Constitution, of the intention
of the General Assembly to vote upon
the question OF his removal.
Meanwhile. the present session will
have expired by Limitation. This
brings up sharply the question of ex-
tending the session without pay. or OF
calling an extraordinary one. The lat
ter proposition Is not considered for q
moment. The Governor Is opposed to
1t. and SO are most of the members.
The question of extension Is by no
means popular, and If an adjournment
is had when the Constitutional limit OF
the present session is reached Judge
Blackstone would remain upon the
bench until the next Legislature meets
whatever may be the report of the
House committee.
There Is no way of depriving him of
his right to the twenty days notice
by the Constitution. and un-
less some steps are taken by the two
liouSCS lOphluS W q SSlNiViliSA1S w siitS
question Judge Blackstone may yet
come out winner.
1t has been suggested that in case
OF report in favor of removal, notice
could be served on Judge Blackstone
and an extension voted for sufficient
period TO cover the twenty days no.
tice. Then an adjournment could be
taken, the members to convene here
at the end of twenty days to vote on
the joint resolution
Members. however,, do not take kind
ly to this. as such an extension would
mean that they would have to return
here 1T their own expense.
Though there is little or no doubt
that the report of the committee will
recommend removal i. looks as If some
serious complications may arise before
the case is finally determined
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