Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-08-20
CARUTHERs IS WITNESS
IN CHICHESTER HEARING
He Was Defendant in Now Famous
Libel Suit Brought by
III. Potts.
MUCH TESTIMONY BAR
BARRED
Many Of His Answers Ito Powell's
Questions Ruled Out by Commit
tee Because They Are Based on
Hearsay.
Especial to The Tlmes-Dispatch.1


ing samuel p. Powelfs charges against
Judge Chichester convened In tho court
mouse here to-day at 10 o'clock Mr..
stephenson. OF Bath. the subchairman.
announced that Mr. oliver, chairman OF
the committee. had been called awov
20 MS nome by the death OF his mother.
before leaving Mr.. oliver requested
that the investigation proceed, and
SAID he would return as soon as pos
sible.
'" c. Chandler was called to tho
stand Mr.. Chandler was an applicant
Tor position Of land assessor. but was
not appointed. Questioned by Mr.
Powell. he said he had resided in Spot
syirania all his life. except for the Pc
riods from 1885 to 1893, when he was
IN washington and in Newport News,
and had also been away for five months
since He has no property in Spot
sylVania County. but has real estate in
Caroline, He is voter in Spotsyl-
Vania County and has been n Democrat
all his life. Asked II he knew there
was a ring" In Spotsylvania. he said
ne thought there was. but did not thinl,
Judge Chichester was connected with
the ring. Questioned BY Judge En-
hrey. he said he last voted at Summit
In the election prior TO 1913 He never
mixed In politics and seldom went 10
The courthouse. He was at one time
on the Democratic committed He did
not know of any instance where Judge
chichester had tried 20 influence any
man In politics He had voted In Caro-
Vine County, but since had learned that
ne voted illegally. He voted for Mr.
Evans In the primary and for Mr.
powers for Legislature in the general
Spotsylvania County this summer. At
The time his petition was presented to
Judge Chichester he was n registered
voter AZ GuincEs, In Caroline County
ne ala not think he was qualified to
vote In Caroline County, but did SO
when he was told he had the right.
IN answer to question by Mr. Powell
he said he regarded himself as a resi-
dent OF Spotsylvan!a County when he
voted In that county. He said he went
TO Caroline to reside temporarily.
'" '" Buchanan was called TO the
stand, and when questioned by Mr.
Powell! said he was Judge OF election
at Livingston District in 1912. He did
note vote for w s Embrey. Demo-
cratic nominee for tho Legislature
He had no, been appointed Judge or
clerk OF election since 1919. and did not
know why. He made no secret OF how
he voted.
Several other witnesses were called.
but they were not present
Mr.. Powell said he desired 20 provo
that judges of election who did not
vote for w. S. Embrey were removed
Mr.. Fitzhugh said II was not compe-
tent certainly not customary, to put
more than one Republican on as Judge
OF election at each precinct: that where
Democrat voted the Republican ticket
II could not be expected that he would
be reappointed as Democrat.
MIR. Stephenson told Mr.. Powell he
would have to call his witnesses and
hurry on with the investigation: that
for witnesses.
THINKS JUDGE WALLER
NOT COMPETENT LAWYER
r l.. Gordon. OF Louisa member OF
the House OF Delegates. was called In
answer 10 questions by Mr.. Powell he
SAID ae had been practicing attorney
since 1878. had been member of the
General Assembly before the present
term ard was employed as Common
wealth's attorney OF Spotsylvania
County In 1903. He was asked by Mr..
Powell why he did not act in the
prosecution of J. p. II. Crismond The
question was objected TO by Judge EN-.
brcy. and the objection was sustained
Mr.. Gordon said he knew nothing
OF the qualifications OF Judge Waller,
except from limited practice in his
court with Judge Waller as judge
Asked II he considered Judge Waller
competent lawyer from that oppor-
tunity to observe, Mr. Gordon said that
ne considered him gentleman, but
rot a lawyer. He said that during his
experience with Judge Waller, the lat
ter seemed TO he hypnotized by Mr..
FitIhugh, adding that Judge Waller. as
j'ld q. was not able TO cope with an
attorney OF Mr.. Ftzhughs ability. He
sid this was observed when he at
i,t,pted to prosecute J. p. H. Crismond
Mis:i questioned about that case, Judge
L;.brey objected. The objection was
ss aimed on the ground that the
prosecution had not connected Judge
Chichester with the case. Mr.. Powell
read sections from the code In regard
10 the appointment of electoral boards.
He asked Mr.. Gordon, as n member OF
the constitutional convention OF 1902,
II in his opinion this section prohibited
deputy treasurers from serving on the
electoral board. This was objected to,
and the objection was sustained.
Powell noted an exception.
In answer to question from Mr..
F.tzhugh. after Judge Waller had pre-
sided over the County Court for twenty
ears, he would not be regarded as n
lawyer. Mr.. Gordon replied that he did
not think judge of the old County
Court was as much dependent upon
his abilities as a lawyer as upon his
popularity. Mr.. Gordon attempted to
tell what happened during the j. p. H
Crismond case, but was not allowed to
proceed.
In answer to question by Judge EN-
hrey, Mr.. Gordon said he knew moth.
ing to connect Judge Chichester with
the prosecution of j. L. II. Crismond,
Mr.. Stephenson asked If he did not con
slider Judge Waller qualified to serve
as commemorative attorney. Mr.. Cor
don said he preferred not to answer:
that Judge Waller was an excellent
man, but n prosecuting attorney re-
CURED a certain amount of mea mess.
and Judge Waller was not sufficiently