Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-08-24
END or CHICHESTER CASE
SEEMS FINALLY IN SIGHT
All Evidence Of Prosecution Is COM
pleted, and Defense Begins
It's Hearing.
SHOULD FINISH THIS WEEK
Judge Embrey Is First Witness on
Stand for Accused Jurist-Says He
Is Not Influenced by Any Ring"
in This Case.
Especial to The Times-D!spatch.1


in This Case.
Especial to Tho Times Dispatch.1
FREDERICKSBURG VA. August 90.
The end of the proceedings of tho
legislative committee investigating the
charges Of Delegate s. p. Powell
against Judge r. II. L. Chichester
appears to be in sight 1t is believed
that tho committee will conclude it's
work OF investigation by the close Of
this week. 1t will require some time
In which TO complete its report.
The committee met promptly this
morning at 1890 o'clock, John w.
stephenson. OF Bath. the subchairman,
presiding in the absence of Walter
Tansill Oliver. the chairman, who. how
ever. arrived later.
Mr.. Powell concluded the taking OF
testimony for the prosecution this
morning. and Judge Embrey and Mr..
Fitzhugh. counsel for Judge Chichester.
began taking testimony for the defense
this afternoon. 1t is believed that by
Wednesday afternoon or Thursday
morning all of the testimony will be
In. and then the argument will begin,
which probably will consume about
two days. Mr.. Powell will have the
opening. IIc will he followed by
Judge Enbrey. for the defense. and Mr..
: Fitzhugh will follow Judge Embrcy for
the defense. Mr.. Powell closing for the
prosecution.
ANOTHER RULING: Is
MADE AGAINST POWELL.
Mr.. Powell .ta:e! that he wished
TO have admitted to the records some
chancery cases from the Circuit Court
q mia bo
argument. He cited six cases. and said
he expected TO show that the commits
sioners failed to make their affidavit
Tor the time consumed in the cases as
required by law. and that they charged
Tor their services. in some cases. in
excess of the amounts involved Mr..
Barley said he thought Il would have
10 be proven that the charges were
excessive Judge Embrcy pointed out
that the facts in question are no: fully
set forth in the records of the cares
as much work was done which tho
records do not show. Mr.. Fi,zhugh
said he hoped the committee would
rule that such cases would not be con-
sidercd. unless exceptions had been
taken OF the charges in the cases be-
fore Judge Chichester. Mr. Stephenson
said II would be unfair to Judge Chi
less the judges attention had been
called 10 the charge at the lime. Mr.
Powell continued TO argue. and Mr.
Spatig asked him why he persisted in
arguing the cases when the committee
had decided not to admit them to the
records. The whole subject was then
ordered cxpunged from the records
The committee decided that Mr.. Powell
could have considered any exorbitant
charge II Judge Chichester's attention
had been called 10 II at the time of ex-
ception.
Chairman Walter Tansill Oliver. Of
Fairfax having arrived at this point
assumed the chair.
Judge Alvin T. Embrey was the first
witness called for the defense. Cues
toned by Mr.. FitzhuEh, counsel for
Judge Chichester. Judge F.mbrey said
that he had praCticcd law for twenty
years, except five years when he was
clerk of the Corporation Court OF Fred
ericksburg, during which time he did
not practice in the Corporation Court
He said he knew Of no ring" in SPOT
sylvania or Frederick sburg, but had
been solicited by those who were said
10 be against the ring" for indorse-
ments. He joined in the petitions Of
"a l.
Crismond for clerk of Spotsylvania
County and for Judge r. K. Waller for
+. Commemorative attorney. These were
the only ones whom he had Endorsed,
and he had made these requests at the
solicitation of clients and landowners
in Spotsylvania County.
NOTHING TO CONNECT
HIM WITH SHORTAGE,
Judge Chichester, he said. asked him
IL he. as one of the investigating com
mittee who examined the books of for
mer Clerk ]. P. II. Crismond. saw any
thing in the examination which con-
nected A. II. Crismond with the alleged
shortage. Judge Embrey said there
was nothing 70 connect a. II. Crismond
with that affair but that, on the con-
trary, ne assisted the committee in
every way in making the examination.
He considered a. H. Crismond we'll
qualified for clerk. He considered Mr..
Biscoe. who opposed him for appoint
ment. an excellent man. good farmer.
good sawmill man and excellent bust
ness man. but he was fftyive years
of age. did not have a technical knowl-
edge In matters pertaining to legal af-
fairs. and he did not think he would
make a good clerk. Judge Embrey
said he practiced in Judge Waller
court for nine years when Judge Waller
was Judge of Spotsylvania County
Court, ana considered him n good Judge.
Mr.. Powell objected to this line of ques-
tons and answers, but his objection
, was overruled. Judge Embrey said
Judge Waller had a good knowledge OF
the finances OF the county; was some
what timid, but had good Judgment
lacked aggressiveness, but was a thor.
ouEh gentleman.
Mr.. Fitzhugh asked Judge Embre,
how he thought the qualifications @,
Judge Waller as commemorative at.
torney, compared with those OF s. p
Powell Mr.. Powell objected. sayina
that he was not on trial, but Judge EN-.
brey promptly answered and said. ir
his Judgment. Judge Waller was Mr.
Powells superior In every respect
Mr.. Powell then proceeded to uues.
ton Judge Embrey. after stating thai
he was not surprised at the opinion ex.
pressed by the witness and coming from
him, he considered it a compliment An.