The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-03-13
Powell Charges to Be Probed
to Bottom Under Resolution
Passed Last Night
Demands of Both
Granted by House
Lengthy Debate Followed by
Rejection of Weaver Sub
.titute to Dismiss the Whole
Matter

The charges of political corrup-
tion preferred b. Delegate =. r.
Powell. of Spotsyiynnis County.
against Judge II. II. l.. Chiches-
ter. OF the Fifteenth Judicial Cir
cult. will be Investigated by q
committee of the House of Dele
gates.
This decision was reached by the
House last night after a lengthy de-
bate on the part of eight or ten mem
bers. with a score of others partici-
pating by asking questions The vote
by which the resolution from the Com
mittee on Courts of Justice was adopt
ed was not recorded. the ayes and noes
not being called for. This action fol-
lowed the defeat. &c to IS. of the
Weaver substitute to dismiss the
whole matter.
both Denand Inquiry.
Both the accuser and the accused
demanded the investigation and were
supported In their demands by their
friends. On the floor OF the House yes
terday afternoon and last night as Wis
ftors were friends and supporters of
Judge Chichester. among them being
his: brother. c. NJ Chichester, Their
presence prompted Mr., Powell to ask
Mr.. Weaver II his resolution was in
troduced by request OF Judge Chiches
ferF friends or supported by them.
The delegate from Warren entered a
strong denial.
the Weaver substitute was that no
charge affecting the judicial integrity
of Judge Chichester had been brought
In the statement flied with the House
BY Mr.. Powell and that nothing was
contained in that statement justify
Ing an investigation, Those support
ing the resolution from the Commit
tee on Courts of Justice demanding
the investigat ton. coniended. on the
other hand. that the honor and integ-
ritz OF the judiciary In Virginia had
been attacked and that Mr.. Poweirs
statement that Judge Chichester had
packed the electoral board OF Spot
sylvania. in order TO corrupt elections
In that county. was such as TO war
rant Impeachment II true.
ny Committee of Hive.
The Investigation will be conducted
by committee of FIVE members OF
Speaker.
The debate on the resolution call
Ing for an investigation began about
10 O'Clock apd continued to 1f:45
when Mr.. Jordan concluded his speech
in opposition.
Mr.. Oliver spoke at length in favor
of his resolution insisting that the
investigation be had. I'VE owe il TO
the accused and we owe to the accuser
to establish the truth or falsity OF
these charges" he said. Mr.. Oliver
insisted that the original statement OF
Mr.. Powell. on the floor of the House,
that Judge Chichester Wa guilty OF
political corruption demanded an in
vestigation, whether or not that
charge was modified. later in the
statement filed with the House.
In response to questions as to the
cost. Mr.. oliver replied that he was
surprised that any member OF the
Virginia House OF Delegates should
the integrity OF the judiciary OF the
State Is involved
No Investigation Needed.
Mr.. Weaver. of Warren. spoke to
his substitute. arguing that no charges
have been made worthy of investiga-
ton, being solely the result of politi-
cal differences He analysed the
Powell statement. dismissing the
question OF Illegal appointments by
by quo warranto proceedings in the
courts"
Declaring that he for one could
make no distinction between political
and private morality. MIR. Gordon
urged the adoption OF the Oliver reso-
luton.
"A scoundrel in politics IN scoun-
drel in every respect he declared.
THAT charge has been made against
Judge Chichester. For the sake OF
the honor OF this Commonwealth that
charge must be sifted to the bottom"
Nefiin Insists.
Mr.. Hefin, OF King George, who
declared himself Judge Chichester
representative in this body" demand
ed an investigation.
The man accused demands an in
vestigationf What are you going to
Dor"
Delegate Myers spoke in favor OF
an investigation.
Mr.. Jordan, of Pulaski, speaking
against an investigation, declared
that he was not to be frightened
into doing ridiculous thing"
Mr.. Myers declared that the honor
!. and integrity of the Judiciary was at
stake and that a refusal 10 investigate
would constitute whitewash.
Face Each Other.
Accused Judge and accusing dele
gate faced each other when the Courts
of Justice Committee of the House OF
Delegates met to consider the state
ment prepared by Mr., Powell in SUBJ
sanitation OF his charges.
Mr., Powell walked up to Judge Chi.
chester and said:
Judge, hope you understand that
there Is nothing personal in this.
do not bring charges against your pri-
vate conduct
Judge Chichester nodded.
Delegate Hefiin. OF King George
4 thought the committee should call
upon Mr. Powell to make good his
charges. while Mr., White, OF Rock
4 bridge. maintained. that the COMMITTEES