Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-03-27
LEGISLATURE Removes
BLACKSTONE FROM BENCH
Continued from First page)

OF both tho House OF Delegates mud
OF tho Senate
Colonel Massie, the author OF the
resolution. took the floor immediately
after Clerk Williams 4iad read II. and
proceeded to explain the law bearing
on the subject. His discourse. which
ahowed careful preparation, appnr-
emily covered the whole ground and
went back TO remote days in the his
tory of Anglo Saxon jurisprudence
Constitutional authorities also were
quoted at length and explained In
detail.
THE sole question" exclaimed Col
onel Music, FOR this House Is: Are
you satisfied that there are causes for
the removal of this judge? Are you
satisfied as members of the legisla-
ture. that there are causes sufficient
for the removal of this judge?"
The speaker, who had previously
said that each member. In voting on
the matter, was responsible TO his
conscience. his God. and his country.
added 4 little later: NO court can
review our action except to ascertain
whether causes were shown In the
legislature; whether causes were
found in the legislature. and whether
notice of the alleged causes were
served on the defendant"
In concluding, Colonel Massie add.
ed; 81 sly that this convention. In
Trimming the constitution, meant to
do something practical-meant to nut
practical thing in It, to be con
sidered and acted upon in n practical
way by practical men and that there
is no other way In which we can act
save the way in which we have act
ed"
Delegate Pages View.
Delegate Page offered the follow
ing substitute:
Resolved by the House OF Delegates
(the Senate concurring,) That the
General Assembly proceed to act up
OH the charges preferred against j !.
W. G. Blackstone. judge OF the Eley-
enth Judicial Circuit, and that the
committee for courts of justice OF
The respective houses of the General
Assembly proceed forthwith TO take
the evidence of witnesses with refer
ence 10 the specific charges hereto.
fore spread upon the journals of bot h
houses and served upon said Black
stone; and that said committees he
authorized and empowered TO sum-
mon and require the attendance OF
witnesses both for and against said
specific charges and 10 employ such
sucnographlc and other assistance ms
may be necessary In the premises and
make report without delay"
Other substitutes having the same
end in view were offered but were
Withdrawn.
The Hanover Legislator in explain
ing his resolution expressed regret at
thus submitting Il minority RECON-
mendation. He declared that he did
mot interpret the law az did Colonel
Massie. The two little later OH,
exchanged some spirited questions
and answers. Mr.. Page did not thinl,
IL would now be necessary to summon
more than three or four witnesses.
Colonel Massie wanted TO know what
right Mr.. Page had to restrict the
number of witnesses TO three or four
Mr.. Page said he had the right OF q
man acting with common sense.
Modest MIR. Withers.
| Saying that 1t was with some timid-
! ity he arose-an assumption of mod
esty which caused n hearty laugh =
! Delegate Withers next hogan speech
in behalf of the resolution offered BY
Mr. Page.
Commenting on the inquiry held by
the House committee on courts OF
justice he remarked: 81 say that was
the vital error this House fell into
over my protest and 1t has resulted
in this present dilemma. The whole
J question turns on this inquiry-wheth
er we are now TO consider the hear
ing taken before the courts of JUS
tice committee of the House as mere
ly q preliminary Investigation to as.
certain alleged causes or whether We
shall view it rs a trial and proof O
charges"
Mr.. Withers insisted that the pro.
ceedings already had were analagou.
to the proceedings of grand july
Colonel Massie desired TO know II wit
nesses for the defense were exam
!ned by grand juries and if the accus-
ed was allowed by such inquisltorl
the privilege of being represented By
counsel. This question didn't disturb
Mr.. Withers. lie stuck 10 his point
and maintained that the answer Hlet
by Judge Blackstone yesterday mad,
an issue of fact.
Delegate Throckmorton asked 1
Judge Blackstone hadn't virtually con.
fessed 10 one of the charges.
Yes. Mr.. Withers admitted this