Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-02-12
CHARGES AGAINST JUDGE
BLACKSTONE.

As stated 10 the Gazette of that day
the House committee on courts Of JUS
tice OF the Virgins legislature yesterday
reported in favor of investigation of this
charges made against Judge j. W. G..
Blackstone, OF tue Eleventh circuit, the
House fixing the hearing for February
20, Ia order to allow Blackstone time In
which 10 prepare bis defense. The
charges, which include intoxicaiion on
the bench, immortality, neglect of duty
aid incompetence, were made by Cit
liens of Phoebus and Hampton, and
we're read to the House with the report.
Thsy are in part, as follows:
1--WE charge that Judge Blackstone
was frequently intoxicated, and by rea-
son OF said intoxication, unable and un-
e, 10 discharge his judicial functions.
Among the occasions on which Judge
Blackstone was intoxicated whilst on the
bench are the followingi
"During one OF the spring terms oil
the year 1907 white man named Leon
ard Sheez was tried in the Circuit Court
of the county of Elizabeth City before
Judge J. w. g. Blackstone. During
said trial the judge was so dunk that he
fell asleep whilst on the bench. Re-
peated efforts we're made to awaken MIN /;
but he could only te aroused from his
drunken stupor by the clerk Of the court
selling his shoulder and shaking him
vigorously.
'In the September term Of the year
1907 in this court whilst presiding at the
trial OF Julian Pavlinic, JudgeJ. w. g.
Blackstone was drunk and slept during
the trial, and, though repeated efforts
we're made to awaken him, he could only
be aroused for a moment and would then
20 ofinto drunken stupor. The jury
and the witnesses In this case had finally
to be adjourned over to the next day be-
cause Of the condition above described
of Judge J. w. g. Blackstone"
The charges sllege that during the
year 1907 Judge Blackstone failed to sp-
pear on frat and second day of term Of
the Circn;. Court of the county Of FL ga
beth City, and that on search by The
sheriff the judge was found 10 dIsrrp-
utsble house with negro women. Toe
charge alleges that Judge Blackstone on
one occasion telephoned TO the sheriff OF
the county of Elizabeth City from dis
reputable house In the town of Phoebus,
and requested him to bring the records
of the Circuit Court to the house for ex-
animation and signatureI
THAT during the month of January
last past the business Of the Circuit Court
Of the county Of Elizabeth City vas OBJ
s;rucied for the greater part OF a week on
account of the said Judge ]. w. @.
Blackstone being in drunken debaucb,
and while In this condition he attended
a dance given on Monday night by
abandoned women. An attorney at Law
Of the Hampton bar was, by agreement
Of counsel, substituted In Judge Black
stones place and presided.
That the said j Judge frequently fails
10 open his court at the hour appointed,
lnd even on the day set for the opening
thereof; that the officers OF said court Ore
kept waiting, as well as the jurors or
grand jurors, witnesses, and other per-
,Ons having business 10 laid court, and
he administration Of justice 10 thereby
and brought in bad repute.
That in tbs city OF Newport News
ne neglect OF duty on the part of Judge |
J. W. g. Blackstone, 60 we'll as because |
'f his incompetency, has produced and
resulted in the practical disuse Of said |
Circuit Court Of said city for the |
commencement and trial Of cases,
he members of the bar of said oiy
'referriDg 10 bring their suits in the Cor
oorstion Court of the city of Newport |
News, which has concurrent jurisdiction
With said Circuit Court.