Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-13
WILL SCRUT|NKE
JUDGES CONDUCT
House of Delegates Orders In
vestigation of Chichester's Ac-
tions on Bench.
VOTE Is TAKEN AT MIDNIGHT
Probe of Powell Charges to Be
Made by Special Com
rnittee.

appointment OF Il special committee of
five TO Investigate the charges pre-
fcrrcd by Delegate s. L. Powell against
Judge Il. II. l.. Chichester. Of the FIJI
tecnth Judicial Circuit
The resolution accompan MED the re
port Of the Courts OF Justice Com
mi;tce. To which the Powell charges
had hc"n referred The rcpor, CON
taincd The findings Of the committee
q, two sessions held Yesterday. one in
the morning. tho other in the after
noon
The morning session. except for "a
few minutes at the opening and for
twenty minutes before adjournment.
when Delegate Powell and Judge
Chichester were permitted 10 make
brief addresses was executive. The
afternoon session was behind closed
doors
g. VI. Chichester. brother OF the ac-
cused jurist. appeared before the com
mittce at the morning session and re-
quested that immediate and
thorough investigation be recommended
TO the House
MEETS
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
With Chairman Walter 7. Oliver pre-
siding. the Courts Of Justice Commit
tee OF the House OF Delegates entered
upon consideration Of the Powell
charges at $3.50 o'clock in the morning
The committee met behind closed doors
Friends OF tho delegate from Spotsyl-
Hania who had hocked 10 the hearing
declared the secret session unfair
Ih"f were left 10 cool their heels in
the lobby while the committee sat in
executive session an hour and a half
Then the doors were thrown open
TO the public, and Mr.. Powell was sent
for. Chairman Oliver told him that
tho committee desired to give him an
opportunity to supplement the state
mcnts ne had made bearing upon th-
case.
Judge Chichester s3aecuser, address y
ing the committee, said he would re-
peat that he had no personal grievance
against Judge Chichester II have
always been on friendly terms with
the Judge" he said. and I hope the
relations will continue between us.
But I want II understood that am
representing all the people OF my dis
;rict I'm tho House OF Delegates. came
interests. Among other things. was
pledged 20 work for purity in elec-
lions. did my best, bu, | was unable
TO accomplish what we need. In de-
fensc Of my actions, / would like this
committee to know something about
the platform on which was elected"
FOUGHT RING METHODS
IN HIS CAMPAIGN
I,
document he had circulated during his
campaign. There were references in
il TO the ring and It's methods" In
that platform he was pledged TO be
tied to no caucus" in the Legislature
il elected, but 10 remain independent.
u was elected on that PLATFORM" said
Mr.. Powell, and have tried TO live
uH I" my pledges. SO far as true Jcr-
f"rsonan Democracy Is concerned I
yield 10 no man here. hut am not q
Republican nor a Democrat in the par
ii*an political sens" OF the word In
tho heat Of debate ] may have gone n
little further than meant in speaking
OF Judge Chichester. However, 7 have
no excuses or apologies TO make to
any one. You have before YOU tho
specific charges 7 made in reply to tho
resolution adopted by the House. r.
am prepared to prove those charges.
Judges are but creatures OF tho
LEGISLATURE. yet no ono can criticize
a indgc FOR his conduct in Office cxccp,
members Of the Legislature. The
Legislature has bound and gagged the
individual citizen. He cannot complain
or criticize without being in danger
of fine or a Jail sentence.
Nov. | want to hurl back in the
teeth OF any man here the charge that
I made tho charges agains; Judge Chi
chester because | was rcsenttul: be-
cause was not appointed by him Com
m"nwcalth's Attorney to fill an uncX-
pircd term.
SAYS OrPoNENT WAS NOT
PRACTICING ATTORNEY
Il felt that was entitled 10 tho
Office because a great many of tho
people wanted me, and was n prac-
ticing attorney. Judge Waller, who
was appointed, was not a prac,icing
lawyer. lie had not practiced for a
number Of years. I understand that
the Board OF Supervisors had to employ
another lawyer at times TO look after
that was the duty of the Com
monwcalth's Attorney" Mr.. Powell re-
hcarsed the charges made in his prcv,
Mr. Chalklcy interrupted him at 40
o'clock, reminding him that the com
mittee could not sit after the hour for !
the assembling OF the House 12 O'Clock.
and also that he had been invited to
supplement his previous statements.
not to repeat them. Mr.. Hehin was
with some remarks when
Mr.. Powell interposed
"Mr. Hefin. l had letter from n
man in your district this morning, as
suring me that was correct when L |
said YOU were not a resident OF your
district"
Chairman oliver: "As understand 1t.
Mr. Poweli's position is this: He de-
mands an Investigation, and wishes to
have witnesses summoned and to pro-
ceed and prove his charges"
Mr. Powell: Yes. sir; am prepared
Continued on Fifth PaEe.)