Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-08-28
THOUGHT POTTS GOOD
MAN FOR APPOINTMENT


Taking up the IL. Potts charges,
Judge Chichester said he thought him
\ suitable man for appointment OH the
electoral board: Judge Ma son had ap-
pointed him and he only re-appointe ed
him; never heard anything about Mr.
Potts being ovcr-active in politics until
these charges We're made, and did NOT
make any bill against the corporation
o: cdcrick SburE for presiding. dur
ing Judge Goolr!ck's sickness: bill wa.
made out by tho clerk and he knew
nothing OF ii until the check was hand.
ed to him. In regard 10 the Bayn.
case In King George, in which he wa.
accused OF being partial. Judge Chi.
chester said that two attorneys prose
Gated the case and 3ayne was fined
500. He said Mrs. Bayne was his NTH
cousin. she wrote note asking him
not TO put her son the stand but
have his evidence taken by deposit
tons. This Judge Chichester refused
and the boy testified in the case. The
charge that he showed any partisan act
was false. lie never reversed Judge
Mason and never knew that Judge
Mason had eve. considered the case
had not refused to hear argument in
any case. Thc charge that he allowed
some in ch county and in Fredericks
burg to dictate to him as to appoint
ments was false, he declared. Since he
mas been judge there have been only
know how his appointees voted. w. :.
Embrey was not his candidate. nor
did he mention the matter TO Mr.. En-
brcy, and never asked him how he
voted. lie had no faction in the Dem
ocratic party, and the charge that he
only consulted his faction OF the party
as u appointments, was not true. He
knew nothing of the politics OF mem
bers OF the school electoral boa rds. 81
school trustees. Judge Chichester men
toned IA number Of appointments re
had made In Stafford and justified his
acts in doinS so.
Al This point Mr.. Powell asked Mr.
F!tzhueh. OF counsel for Judge chi
chester. when was the last time he had
voted for Democratic President. Mr..
Fit"hugh replied that he had not done
so for some time but that he had
never voted against democratic
President. Mr.. FitZhugh asked Mr..
Powell If ne would admit that he was
Republican,. Mr.. Powell said ne
would admit that he voted the Re
publican ticket in national elections
Mir Fitzhugh introduced letter writ
ten by MIR Powell concerning a mass
meeting in 1910. Mr.. Powell objected
aud the letter was not admitted. Mr.
FitHhuGh offered a number Of other
letters written by Mr.. Powell. one con-
corning the appointment Of Common
wealths attorney. Objection was made
sued The committee retired to con-
slider it, later returning and reporting
that the majority thought the letter
pertinent and was admitted Another
letter written by Mr.. Powell in REGARD
tn investigation and the chance OF the
people tn speak without fear OF being
punished for contempt was offered.
This was objected to, but the letter
was admitted Another lette" written
by Mr.. Powell to citizens of Spotsyl-
vania. in reference TO the invcstiga-
ton. inviting the people to tell him
OF any complaints they had, was also
offered This brought on a discussion
between Mr.. Fitzhugh and Mr.. Powell
The committee ruled that these letters
Were in the records. having heen in
Guided in the answer OF Judge Chiches-
ter. Letter from NJ. Powell To ID. /.
Jaynes was offered, but ruled out. An
other letter in the form OF petition
was offered and ruled out.
Judge Chichester. resuminC his testi
mony. stated he knew nothing OF the
position on the electoral board being
offered to William Stephens
GORDON TEsTIFIEs
IN FAVOR OF POWELL
Il. Lindsay Gordon. of Louisa. was
called to the stand this afternoon. as