The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-20

which sustained his rulings and found no ground
for ordering new trial Some OF the abiest
and ksenest lawyers OF the State bar were en-
gagged for the defense. They had full oppor-
tunity and could not fnd flaw in the rulings.
IL Judge Staples was wrong anywhere. the
preme court also was wrong and we DOUBT
II single Judge in Virginia will say that he was
wrong anywhere.
II ia plain therefore, that the law ad
mnstered Justly. why. then, the quarrel and
the demand for vengeance?
Let every delegate and senator ask himself
that question
We can see but one answer and 1t In plain and
clear.
1t is that the light against Judge Staples as it
ia being made liz fight against the administra-
ton Of the law. The demand for vengeance Is a
demand for vengeance against the law by strtk-
ing at the man who administered 1t as II stands
and Ia written
We shudder at the stories OF lswlessness in
other States. We cry constantly for enforce
ment of the law, especially for punishment of
bloodshed and violence. Now we seem TO be
brought face to face with the question whether
the Judge who does his duty Mt the order of the
governor OF the State and does 1t fearlessly and
Justly, is TO be punished by the general assembly
Of the State of Virginia. That seems to be the
issue as it has been made In Richmond
Delegates said to have gone to Richmond
pledged to their constituents to vote against
Judge Staples because he presided In the Allen
csses-not because he was unjust, harsh or
cruel, but because he presided and represented
and Interpreted the law It may be tina. some
me will feel bound by such pie ige, extraorj-
nary and dreadful as 1t may seem, Other dele
gates should see that the Will of srch constitu-
encies shall" not prevail that hate against the
law and its opponents shall not be gratifed.
Judge Ogesby, of counsel for Floyd Allen. In
a published interview after the verdict had been
given. said frankly that his client had been given
fair trial. Other counsel for defendants in
tho same cases Joined heartily In this declars-
ton 1t Is record that when the defendants
were unable to pay for the transportation OF
witnesses, Judge Staples had the witnesses
moned and brought to court at tho cost OF the
Comm onwealth because he thought their EVIL
dence should go before the jury in the interest
OF justice. He gave the defendants every pos
sible opportunity to present their evidence and
the lawyers for the defense full scope In cross
examination and argument. Therefore 1t is not
sought to punish him for wrong doing. His of
Tense 10 that he represented and executed the
law II IT, 1t made by the people and
their representatives, that he did his sworn and
/ bounden duty fearlessly and faithfully. If that
effort is successful every Judge who sits in vir-
| ginia involving serious penalties or
punishment and which arousss popular feeling
or elamor one side the other will feel that
he takes his Official life in his hand II he dares
expound and enforce the law
Judge Staples. 1t should overshadow every
other issue The assembly should put aside all
questions of personal preference or sectional
ambition and address itself squarely to the
question whether the law shall be enforced In
Virginia and whether officials who uphold II
shall be sustained by the assembly given over
to condemnation and punishment as solemn
warnings TO all other officials to dodge duty or
yield to clamor.-Roanoke Times.