The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-17
PROBING TWO CASES
Virginia Legislature to Get
Rhea Report Soon.
MAY NEED AN EXTRA SESSION
Charges Against Judge Rhca, of
Eleventh Circuit, Expected TO Con-
iOuFnment sOIOnS VIII Demand
Pay for Continuance of Assembly.

Special to The Washington Herald
/ Richmond, Feb l6.-Among the more
important measures to come before the
general assembly during the present week
/ the two which Will attract the most at
tention Will be the report of the joint
committee on conhrmations. which viii
mean the end Of the investigation OF
Judge William Z. Rhea. of Bristol
lie was nominated 10y the governor TO
! be corporation commissioner to succeed
Henry c. Stuart OF Russell II will also
mean the launching Of the investigation
/ by another committee Of the charges pre-
ferred against Judge ]. ". c. Blackstone
Of the Eleventh judicial circuit, the
charges alleEsng that ne is incompetent,
immoral and generally unfit for the pah-
lie Office.
/ Judge Rhea viii issue a public state
ment as soon as the committee has made
its report to he general assembly. 1t is
practically assured that the Bristol judge
win not. as tas- been suggested. resign
after the acticH OF the legislature
The members OF the investigating COM
mittee VIII admit nothing. but TO "a mem
Der Of the house lay member admitted
that the report would be unanimous for
the confirmation of Gov. Swanson's nomi-
nee.
One for Minority Report.
/ The committee member further admit
ted that one member said 10 be Senator
T.. Ashby Wickham. Of Henry County.
had contended throughout that he thought
the mere fact that the charges had been
brought would impair Judge Rhea's use
fulness as a member Of the commission.
and that he had agreed not 20 file a mi
nority report only after dint Of much per
suasion.
There are those members OF the legis-
lature I'm both branches. who contend
/ that Senator Wickhams Introduction Of
a resolution 10 compel the printing Of all
Investigations OF the case before the com
mittee is a fOrcgOne conclusion that ne
will insist upon a minority report 9th
ers. better informed. say that such action
is only 10 show cause for the Henry
County senator's position. and those who
opposed the resolution did so on the
ground that the printed copy would be
used in the future by the Republicans as
campaign literature.
Speculate on Blackstone Case.
There is also much conjecture i'm the
legislature on the outcome Of The iayes-
tigation into the grave charges which
have been brought against Judge Black
stone. II is generally believed that there
will be little difficulty in proving that
the accused frequently fell asleep on
the bench during important trials. and
that he was also guilty Of official neglect.
but it is affirmed by his friends that
the charges OF immortality are without
foundation. and that they cannot be sus-
tanned
Already for;y-four witnesses have been
summoned against Judge Blackstone two
Of whom are women. The witnesses
for the defense include some OF the most
prominent lawyers in the eastern section
Of the State. The charges against the
Eleventh circuit Judge will be considered
for the first time Thursday morning. and
It is understood that II will be a week
or ten days before the committee on
courts Of justice, appointed 20 hear the
evidence. Will agree upon its con-
illusions.
May Mean Extra Session.
It IS practically assured that Judge
Blackstone's denial Of the charges and
the short time In which the committee
will have to conduct the investigation
will mean an extra session. The mem
bers Of the legislature are avowedly op-
posed to an extended session without
pay. and in this event. Gov. Swanson will
be compelled 10 order an extra session.
which will involve an expense Of many
thousands of dollars to the State Unless
the Blackstone investigation is completed
by next spring. a resolution for an extra
session with pay will be introduced.
Tuesday has been fixed upon in the
house for the consideration OF the gen
eral appropriation bill. The knowledge
in the beginning Of the session that there
is 10000 idle I'm the State treasury
caused numerous requests for appropria-
ti0ns from nearly every one Of the State
institutions. II is probable that nothing
will be considered in the lower branch
during the next week except this single
bill
The senate will commence tomorrow TO
consider passed house bills