Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-11
POWELL CHARGES
CORRUPT PRACTICE
Fredericksburg Delegate Makes
Grave Allegation Against Cir
cult Judge Chichester.
"PACKING ELECTORAL BOARD"
Jurist's Friends Make Sharp De-
nial and Demand Proof
of Charge.
"PACKING ELECTORAL BOARD"

charges OF n sensational and very
grave nature made by s. p. Powell.
member OF the House OF Delegates from
Spotsylvania County and the city Of
Fredericksburg. in the closing minutes
Of the morning session OF the House
OF Delegates yesterday, resulted ia Z:
first step being taken Mt the afternoon
session toward Legislative investiga-
;ion OF the allegations which affect the
personal character and integrity OF
Judge r. H. L. Chichester. OF the FIJI
tc"nth Judicial Circuit.
In the course OF Il debate on pro-
posed amendment to the bill creating
local boards of review, MIR. Powell Wig
orously opposed the provision directing
tho appointment OF these boards by the
ludSc OF circuit and corporation courts
Beginning with an expression of his
opinion that this power given TO the
Judges would put the tax question into
politics, Mr.. Powell said he knew from
MS own observation and experience
that II was not safe to cntrust some of
The Judges with this power. He said
the Judge in his own circuit, not call
ing Judge Chichester by name was in
the habit OF packing county boards TO
serve his own political purposes
PoWELLS STATEMENT
CAUSES SENSATION
Ihe statement created a sensation in
the House. Half "A dozen members roso
10 question him. Judge Martin Will
liams. Democratic floor leader, obtained
III" Speakers recognition. Mr.. Powell
Sieided 10 question.
! DO understand you TO say that the
judge OF your circuit is guilty OF po-
!uchl corruption?" Judge Williams
asked. DO understand you TO say
mat III" Judge OF your circuit Is now
packing the electoral board OF Your
County OF Spotsylvana for the purpose
%: c"rrupting tho elections?"
That is exactly what I said" replied
N.Y. Fowen II can furnish proofs OF
political corruption. II necessary"
Half dozen members shouted aues-
tons from different parts OF the hall
isn't 1t a fact that you arc personal
and political enemy of Judge Chiches-
ter lie was asked.
II am not" Mr.. Powell replied
POWELL CHARGED WITH
BEING REPUBLICAN
You arc Republican" another voice
shouted.
Il am not a Republican," Mr.. Powell
shouted back. 81 was elected by the
democratic voters am here az
democratic representatives"
isn't II 80 that you we're once chair
man Of the Republican party in your
county,"
Certainly not. There In no politirs
in my charges. am simply standing
Tor justice and fairness against politi-
cal corruption. | say the Judge OF my
circuit packs the boards TO serve his
own purposes. That's what call po-
htical corruption. I can furnish plenty
- Of proofs OF political corruption in
Spotsylvania
The House was in an uproar when
Speaker Cox, noting that the recess
hou. had arrived. declared the chair
vacated. thus sparing the member from
Spotsylvania the ordeal Of replying to
questions that were coming thick and
fast from every part OF the hall
JUDGE CHICHESTER
COMES TO RICHMOND AT ONCE
Dutlng the recess hour friends OF
juda Chichester wired him informa
tion the charges made against him
on t. floor OF the House. He tele-
srapl d back from Fredericksburg a
request that his friends meet him at
Murphy's Hotel IN the evening for a
conference to determine what course
he should pursue.
At the afternoon session OF the House.
- Delegate Powell was called TO book
by several members. who demanded to
know whether his charges were sin
cere. He iterated and reiterated what
he had said ut the morning session, but
.alihed his allegations to some extent
oy saying that he did not intend to re
nect upon the moral character Of Judge
chichester. but had reference to his
actions in politics. He repeated to sew
eral OF his inquisitors that Judge Chi
chester was politically corrupt He
:ook pains to explain that he did not
mean that the Judge was an immoral
nan or a dishonest man.
= HEFLIN CALLS ON
POWELL FOR PROOF
Mr.. Powell's explanations were un-
satisfactory TO the friends OF the jurst
'.mong the members OF the House AS
\. result. Delegate Hefin. OF King
george County. after denouncing the
inember from Spotsylvania and declar-
.as his charges against the Judge un-
rue and without any foundation, intro
uced the following resolution:
Whereas, the member from Spotsyl-
ania and fredericksburg. Hon S. p.
Dwell. did this day, in response to
he following questions propoundcd by
he Hon. Martin williams. tho mem ber
rom Giles. viz:
DO ] understand that the Judge Of
TOUR circuit Is so guilty Of political
orruption as to be now packing the
.lectoral board OF your county for the
nrpose of corrupting the elections?
liake the following RESPONSE:
That is exactly what l am saying
And. whereas, as a member of this
InIx
pom which such charges are based, 1t
his duty to give to this House such
lformation and to place his charge in
tpch form as that action may be taken
Continued on Tenth Page.)
iEERNIGlfT SEA RIDE To BALTIMORE.
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