Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-11
JUDGE CHICHESTER
REPLIES TO POWELL
Demands Complete Examination OF
His Official Record, and Will
Abide Result.
ISSUES SIGNED STATEMENT
Would Resign IL There Were n Scin-
tilla OF Truth in Charges-Flatly
Denies Any UIteiior OF Political
Motive In Making Appointments.


Responding to telephone messages
asking. him to come to Richmond and
face the charges of political corruption
entered against him in the House of
Delegates Yesterday morning by Dele
gate s. p. Powell. OF Spotsylvania
County. Judge r. II. l.. Chichester ar
rived in Richmond early last night.
and. after q conference with several
friends. issued a definite and categorical
denial of all the accusations. He de-
MED that no had ever packed the elec-
oral4board. as charged by sfr.APoSy Eli.
and that he had Knowingly appointed
a deputy treasurer rs member of7the
electoral board in violation OF the pro-
visions OF the State Constitution. AS
to the question OF the eligibility OF the
deputy treasurer to hold Office in the
electoral board. his friends stated that
i; was an issue that had never been
decided. and that many other judges
had followed the same practice as that
OF Judge Chichester
CHICHESTER COURTS
FULLEST INVESTIGATION
Further in his signed statement
Judge Chichester states that he did
not know at the time OF the appoint
ment OF Mr.. Frazier that he was n
deputy treasurer. and that If there had
been question at the time OF the ap-
pointment. he would not have given
the position to Mr. Frazier
Judge Chichester courts invcstiea-
tion. and is unwilling that further ef-
fort be made to have Mr.. Powell with
draw his allegations. Much preferably
Z H.
animation OF his official record, and
says he is williG to abide by the result
There was some disposition among the
jurists's friends to ridicule the charges
| made by Mr.. Powell, but Judge Chi
chester would have none OF this, be-
lieving. he stated, that the Judiciary
should be above reproach and suspicion
Under the resolution introduced by
Delegate HedIn. OF King George County.
and adopted by the House last night.
Mr.. Powell must put his charges in
writing, and accompany them with such
proof as he may be able to bring.
JUDGE CHICHESTED ISSUES
SIGNED STATEMENT
Judge Chichesters signed statement
follows:
My attention was called this after
noon by long distance telephone from
Richmond 10 charges made by Dele
gate S. p. Powell. of Spotsylvania Coun-
~, TO the effect:
First. tina, | was packing the cleo
toral board. presumably of Spotsyl-
vania County. so that ] might control
the next primaries.
Second. that have knowingly appoint
ed deputy treasurer as a member of
fl,n oil nr1 in, toll
Constitution OF Virginia.
Immediately upon the receipt OF this
message came to Richmond TO demand
proof OF these charges by such means
rs the Legislature might see ht to
provide. understand that n resolu-
tion has been prepared, calling on Mr..
Powell TO produce his proof This res,
olution meets with my hearty ap-
proval.
] also understand that some effort
has been made by some members Of the
Legislature and others, who, of course,
feel assured that the charges have
no foundation in fact to get Mr.. Powell
to withdraw his charges. / appreciate
the good Intentions and kindness of
these people. but must insist that If
Mr.. Powell thinks he car provo his
charges or believes them to be true,
that he be required to produce his
proof.
IL his charges lave n scintilla of
truth in them and the Legislature did
not remove me. ought to resign, and
I would do so. a simple withdrawal
Of the charges. unaccompanied by a
statement from Mr.. Powell that there
was no truth In them. would, there
fore. be unsatisfactory to me.
In reference to the first charge will
say that I have never made any ap.
pointment to amy Office with any ,ul-
terror motive In View. Certainly
have never had in view my own per-
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