The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-29
FAVOR REMOVAL.
BUT UNABLE TO
AGREE ON PLAN
Continued From First Page.)
which the committee finds Judge

which the committee finds Judge
Blackstone not guilty.
For example. on the charge of in
competency, containing two specifi-
cations. the committee says:
These specifications are not sus.
tanned. 1t is shown that Judge Black
stone has been partially paralyzed, ant
that he Is physically quite weak: but
he has conducted the business of his
circuit with ability, impartiality ant
dispatch, except upon the occasions
mentioned in this report"
To be very accurate about the mat
ter. the report of the committee shows
that but for the charge and admis-
sions and proof of immortality, and the
consequent neglect of duty-particu-
larly the habit of the accused judge
in frequenting disreputable places-the
iacquittal.
Session of the House.
Speaker Byrd called the afternoon
session of the House to order at 4
o'clock. and tho clerk proceeded to
read the report of the Committee for
Courts of Justice, recommending the
removal of Judge Blackstone. Fol-
lowing up this report. Chairman Mas
sic, on behalf of the committee, Of
fercd the following resolutions:
"Whereas. the Committee of Courts of jus
tice Of tho House of Delegates. acting under
a resolution agreed to by the House on Feb
runry IL. 1908, has. investigated certain
charges preferred against j. w. G. Black
stcne, as Judge of the Eleventh judicial Cir
cult, by citizens of Hampton and Elizabeth
City county. and has made report In writ
ing to the House. accompanied with the
record Of the proceedings had and taken
Whereas, the report of said committee
shows that certain of said charges have been
sustained by the evidence submitted to said
"Be 1t resolved by the House OF Delegates,
a. That J.: w. G: Blackstone. judge of the
ing to law, that the General Assembly is
about to proceed against him on account of
the following causes alleged for his removal
Gross immortality and neglect of official
duty, as set forth in the aforesaid report of
said committee.
.s Resolved, further, That said report.
showing the causes alleged for removal be
spread upon The Journal of both houses of
I'll. General Assembly. ana that y copy
resolution, be served by the sergcant-at-arms
Of fhe House of Delegates upon said j. w.
q, Blackstone: with leave to him to show
from the Office OF judge of the
Eleventh Judicial Circuit after the expira-
lion of twenty days from due service here
Withers to the Front.
To, this resolution. MI. Withers Of
Tered the following amendment:
tan; And re resolved. fsrther. Tint the Com
and House of Delegates be. and the same
IRE hereby, authorized and directed to sit in
Joint session. beginning on the Esd day of
lence as tho said ]. w. G. Blackstone may
hen offer to show cause why he should
rot be removed from rom the Office Of Judge Of
'ence to the contrary as may then BIO offered.
mi said committees shall make report to
heir respective houses"
Mr.. WitherS also offered the follow- |
nS resolution, In connection with his |
Resolved by. the House Of Delegates, the
Il the General Assembly be, and the same
$ hereby, extended for period of thirty
lays from the day on which 1t would other
Wise end according to law.
''Resolved. further. That whom the General
use adJourns on the 9TH day of March.
eOs It adjourn to meet again on the Esd
Argument by Withers.
Explaining his position, Mr.. Withers
aid he wished it understood that he
vas taking no ground as to the merits
( the case, but was addressing himself
My to the question of procedure. He
ontended that the tribunal to remove
hould also be the tribunal to hear
nd that the Senate had not heard any
( the evidence In the case Mr., With
rs thought that to call upon Judge
blackstone to show cause within twen-
y days why he should not be removed |;
ught to carry with it the designation
some tribunal before which he could
ppear and make his defense, ii he
esired to do so. He said the Legls-
lture could later pass a bill provid-
lr that the mileage of tho memhers
Q paid, and that they could return
ero about March 25th, remain few
ays to act upon the matter finally, and
zen return homo. I
The member from Nansemond was
skeJ a number OF questions nv vs.. i