Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-08-08
COURTHOUSE RING
ALLEGED BY POWELL
Charges Against Judge R. H. l..
Chichester to Be Heard
Tomorrow.
SITS IN FREDERICKSBURG
Committee From House of Dele
gates Will Examine Many
Witnesses.

TO determine whether Samuel p.
Powell lawyer and legislator. fired a
cowardly shot at the character of a
member OF the Virginia judiciary or
rendered a signal service to the Com
menwehlth by exposing corrupt
Judge. court created by the House
OF Delegates will be convened in Fred
ericksburg tomorrow to hear and pass
upon the evidence that will be offered
to sustain the grave alterations with
which the accuser has branded Judge
r. II. l.. Chichester, of the Fifteenth
Judicial Circuit, recreant to his oath
and guilty OF misfeasance and mall
feasance in office.
The special committee appointed by
Speaker Edwin P. Cox consists of Wal
ter Tansill Oliver. of Fairfax. chair
man; John ". Stephenson, of Bath; E
V. Barley. Of Boutetourt; T. z. Spatig
OF Brunswick, and T. c. Commins, of
King William. Fraught with porten-
tous meaning Will be the verdict rem.
dered by this select court to the next
Legislature. Substantiation of n con-
siderable part OF the many charges
made by the Spotsylvania delegate will
y
chester. his removal from the bench
his disgrace and shame. Vindication
for the accused jurist must bring upon
his accuser the contumely and scorn
of the people of Virginia.
DRAMATIC SCENE WHEN
CHARGES WE'RE LAUNCHED
IT was on gray day in last March,
In the closing minutes Of the morning
session, that Delegate Powell, of Suot-
sylvania County. launched his denun-
citation Of Judge Chichester. The ut
terances of the speaker created a pro-
found sensation. His attack upon the
character Of the !urist was apparently
not premedftated, but an emotional out
burst provoked by the heckling to
which he was being subjected by sey-
eral members while he had the floor
and was speaking on proposed
amendment to the tax bill creating
local boards of review.
Delegate Powell was an antisegre-
gationist in the memorable struggle
over the adoption of the new tax code
He was arguing against the provision
subsequently adopted which vests cir
cult and corporation court judges with
authority to appoint the local boards
of review. His arguments had been
repeatedly challenged by his oppo-
nents on the segregationist side. and
the member from Spotsylvania was ap-
parently laboring under excitemen Mt,
when he burst forth suddenly with his
accusations.
II know from my own personal OBJ
servation and experience" he said.
that 1t is not safe to intrust some
members of the judiciary with this
power. I know that some Of them
would use It to serve their own po-
litical purposes.
POWELL. REITERATES
CHARGE AGAINST CHICHESTER
The sixty odd members, who had been
giving but listless attention to the
speech of the member from Spotsy!-
vania, now turned toward him glances
that bespoke awakened interest, at
tracted by his impa ssioned tones.
Il know that the Judge in my own
circuit. the Fifteenth, is in the habit
of packing county boards" was the
next explosive utterance OF Mr.. Powell.
The sixty-od members sat for an
instant as II petr,fed. gazing with as
tonishment upon the accuser. The next
moment half a dozen members leaped
to their feet. A vocal pandemonium
ensued. While the Speaker shouted
In stentorisn voice for order, Judge
Martin Williams. Democratic floor lead
er, left his seat, striding forward into
the aisle in front of the Speakers
chair. Facing MIR. Powell, Judge Will
liams demanded:
DO we understand the gentleman
from Spotsylvania to say that the
Judge of his circuit has been guilty Of
packing electoral boards?"
The commotion subsided instantly.
Almost breathless silence prevailed. In
more subdued tones. Delegate Powell
a grim smile on his youthful looking
face, replied, very slowly and de-
Iibcrately:
THAT Is exactly what said, or what t
meant. anyway. / want to say, too.
Continued on Sixth Page)