Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-08-25
POWELL HAS ASSISTANT
IN PROSECUTING CASE
Thomas H. Patterson, OF District OF
Columbia, Is Introduced to In
vestigating Committee.
HOPES TO HASTEN HEARING
Many Witnesses Placed on Stand, All
of Whom Commend Chichestcr's
Appointees as Good Men, and Pay
Compliments to Judge
Especial to The Times-Dispa,ch.l

FREDERICKSBURG, VA, August "a.
-Wheh the committee investigating
the charges of Delegate g. r. Powell
against Judge Il. ii. l.. Chichester con-
vened at 10 o'clock day, s. r. Powell
introduced Thomas II. Patterson. of the
District of Columbia who. he stated.
would assist him in conducting the case
from this time on. MIR Patterson, ad-
dressing the committee, said he wished
10 state that he would do all in his
power TO facilitate the proceedings and
bring the hearing to n rapid conclusion.
Thomas l.. Hunter, lawyer, OF King
George County, took the stand and was
questioned by Judge Embrey. OF coun-
sci for the defense Mr.. Hunter said he
had practiced law for eight years. He
had practiced in Judge Chichesters
court since he first became circuit Judge
He Is member OF the school board
appointed by the county school trustee
electoral board. but holds no elective
office. Judge Embrcy referred TO the
case of rullen VS.. Payne in King
George County. in which II was alleged
that Judge Chichester reversed n de-
cision entered by Judge Mason. Mr..
Hunter said the statement was incor
rect that Judge Mason had never en-
Judge Chichester had decided the case
against the witness without knowing
what Judge Masons attitude was con-
corning tho case He said he knew n,
no political ring" in King George and
never had heard OF Judge Chichester
asking about the political attitude of
applicants for appointment TO Office He
never saw Judge Chichester taking mart
IN politics since he became Judge The
Witness said ne was attorney in the
case OF Patterson VS.. Bayne and as
sisted In the prosecution OF Bavnc He
never heard OF any letter being written
TO Judge Chichester by Mrs Bayne
he joined in petition 10 the Gov
erhor asking for reduction Of the
hne from 500 10 SOS. as he thought tho
inc vas excessive. Mr. Hunter said
Judge Chichester had never mentioned
tho case TO hin, He never heard OF
Mrs Bayne being related 10 judge Chi
chester. He said Judge Chichester
never had asked him 10 try 20 Influence
any mans vote.
THINKS POTTS QUALIFIED
FOR OFFICE JIE HOLDS
Questioned b. Judge Embrey as 10
Judge Chichcstcr's appointments. Mr..
Hunter said ne knew H Potts we'll.
was ms personal friend and had known
him since hoyhood. Mr.. Potts. he be-
lieved TO be we'll qualified for tho Office
he holds. He was first appointed BY
Judge Mason, later by Judge Chiches-
ter: Potts is a neighbor OF Judge Ma
son, The witness considered John H.
BoSEs we'll qualified for county sur
veyor. He knew Mr.. Marmaduke and
thought him we'll qualified for his po-
sit!on He thought NJ W. Minor. mem
Der Of the electoral board. an excellent
man In every respect; VI. L. Price, JUS
t!ce OF the peace, fully competent: J.
). Dishman, member of tho electoral
board. good man in every way: O. NJ
Faines. justice Of peace. good man
inexperienced but mprov!ni-; j H.
Murphy constable an excellent an
pointment: George Hynson, constable a
fair officer: +. r. Purks, member Of
the electoral board, competent in every
respect He did not know whether
Purks was constable when he qualified
or not He said Purks contracted 10
carry mall but resigned as constable
when he commenced the contract Fred
c. Davis. constable. he declared com
petent man; George w. Price land as
SCISSOR good appointment: NJ NJ. Gift,
justice OF peace. thoroughly fitted for
the position L. s. Staples. justice OF
peace. man OF high character
Asked how he considered Judge Chi
chester rs 10 character and his de-
cisions as Judge. Mr.. Hunter said he
considered Judge Chichester tirst-class
and could not ne better
Questioned by Mr.. Powell. Mr. Hunter
said he had told some one who asked
him If nc belonged TO the King George
ring" speaking jocularly NO. the
ring belongs 10 me-" He said he voted
for Senator Martin, and did not know
how Judge Chichester voted He knew
Of no appointment made by Judge Chi
chester in King George that was not n
good one. and satisfactory to most of
the people. He did not think all Of the
appotntees were Martin men. He did
not think d. G. Thicker was Martin
man. No man was appointed over his
tHunter's) protest. as he had never
protested any appointment. He did not
thing G. Beckwith n suitable man for
justice of peace. and he was not ap-
pointed.
LETTER is OBJECTED TO
AND Is RULED OFT
letter written by Mr. Hunter was
offered as evidence by Mr.. Powell hut
was objected to by Mr. Fitzhuyb and
ruled out Mr.. Powell noted an cxccn
ton. He said, so far as he knew. all
members of the electoral board of King
George were Democrats.
w. A. Rose. Comm wealth's attor-
ney Of King George County, was called
to the stand. In answer to nnee-
ton, he announced that he was Re-
publican. and had lived all his life in
KING George County. He had been
Commonw ealth's attorney since 1900
and had known Judge Chichester ever
since he became Judge of the circuIt
He related that Judge Chichester usual
ly comes to court on Monday morn
ings. and often stopped with Clerk r..
c. s. Hunter He had known him to
stop elsewhere: sometimes with L. I
Billingsley. Mr.. Rose said he knew