Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-09-01
CASE OF JUDGE
CHICHESTER.

/ St1DE UT u ONuA
CHICHESTER.
The investigation OF certain
charges against Judge Chichester
which has been going on at Freder'
icksburg recently, like a wounded
snake, has drawn it's slow length
along. AS was supposed from the
first, nothing has developed. Many
| persons crowded into the room at the
beginning dreaming that they were to
hear something interesting. They
Immediately saw they were sold
and the number of spectators soon
diminished to a corporal's guard
Some newspapers in the state at
tempted TO fan the Pickering and
sickly flame, but their readers, that
is the large majority, after having
scanned the headlines. had their
ouantum sufficit. The Richmond VIZ
gilman in speaking Of the investiga-
ton says:
The Chichester investigation, save
for the report of the committee APP
pointed to hear the evidence and pass
Judgment has closed. 1t illustrates
one of the great dangers Of democ-
racy-that is the readiness, the eager
ness, with which we plunge into in
vestigations. f"
There seems to have been nothing
to investigate, but the result IS a
charge to the State Of $4,000, free IL
cense given for the venting of MS
spleen to an individual the disap-
pointment of whose personal ambl-
tions underies the whole case. and
perhaps worse than all the dragging
into undesired publicity of the name
and reputation of an honorable and
efficient Judge.
The Legislature should be more
careful in ordering or permitting
these so-called Investigations. The
special session of the past winter au-
thorized two. One was designed to be
an investigation" of the State Board
of Education and the price of school
books. 1t produced nothing abso-
lutely norhing-that was not already
known or provided for in the plans OF
the educat ional authorities. This Chi
chester investigation, the second au-
thorized, has caused sensation over
nothing, and while thousands Of reo-
pie have heard and read that a Viz
ginia Judge was being investigated
for his official conduct, very few read
and still fewer heard, the testimony
and many will never know the YER
dict of the committee.
These things should give US cause
for reflection There is certain SEN
timent abroad which makes itself
manifest in charges of cowardice OF
guilt made against people who know
they have done nothing wrong and
who do not propose to be called to
book and investigated at the whim of
every little whippersnappeT who come
into temporary prominence. The Leg
islature ought not to allow any more
of these investigations" without a
full and careful examination Of the
facts beforehand and unless there is
reasonable certainty that there is
something wrong the matter should
end in the Legislature itself.
In the recent hearing it developed
that Mr.. Powell desired to be Com
monwealth's attorney ard was not
appointed. He thereupon thought
that some grave injustice had beer
done him and brought charges against
Judge Chichester. So far as we are
concerned. as soon as this fact was
brought cut. and we believe it was
brought cut in the House of Dele.
gates. we should have refused to &C
any further unless some very con-
elusive and indisputable evidence oil
wrongdoine was produced then and
there bv the complainant.
The facts about Judge Chichestel
seem to I've that in the exercise of q
) function bestowed upon him by law
he did not please all the people of his
district. If this power of appoint
ment of local officers ought not pro
perly to be bestowed upon Judge
the proper recourse is through al
act of the Legislature withdrawing
that power. We do not know but thai
it would be wise thing to free jud
ges from the necessity of making
political appointments. but certainl,
as long as they are required by Law
to make those appointments. there
ought not to be abroad in the State {
sentiment which will support every
disappointed office seeker in bringing
, wholesale. irresponsible and unsub
stantial charges against honored ant
honorable men on the bench. especial
ly when the State is put to a heavy
i expense at the bequest of one indivi
dual, which all the people of Virgins
have to pay.