Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-08-18
INFLUENCE" or JUDGE
BURDEN OF HEARING
No Witness Found Who Accuses
Chichester OF Activity in
Politics.
RING" AGAIN DISCUSSED
Witnesses Talk OF Political Clique
and How 1t Works, but Damaging
Evidence Against Jurist Is Not
Forthcoming.
Especial to The Times-Dispatch]

fOrtnCOmlnH.
Especial to The Times Dispatch]
FREDERICKSBURG. VA. August IT.
The Legislative committee Investigate
ing Samuel p. Powell's charges against
Judge r. III. L. Chichester mot to-day
At the ueual hour. Sergeant farms
Newhouse stated that some Of the Wit
ncsses who had been summoned Ind
come in and had gone away without
permission. The chairman announced
that no witness should leave without
permission of tho chairman Of the COM
mittee after being summoned. He de-
sired to have them all in place. so that
no time would be lost in hearing the
evidence.
Captain NJ. 3. Rowe. whose evidence
caused ~ much interest yesterday. was
recalled to the stand by Mr.. Powell. who
requested him TO state who the Of
fccrs Of tho Free Lance Star Publish
ing Company. Captain Rowe read from
letterhead Of the company the names
of Judge II. II, l.. Chichester. president:
T. y. Cole. vice president: Judge Alvin
T Enbrey. secretary; a. Z. Rowe, man
ager and treasurer. In reply 20 further
again stated that all of the appointees
in spotsylvania County made by Judge
Chichester were, as far as he knew,
excellent men.
Mr.. Powell called off the names of
other appointees, and Captain Rowe
answered promptly all questions in
one or two cases stating that he did
not know the parties well. He said
no believed the appointment of Ice ].
Graves az commissioner in chanccry. a
good one.
ASKED As TO CHARACTER
OF JOHN COLEMAN
Mr. Powell asked Captain Rowe his
opinion as to tho character OF John
Thomas Coleman. witness. This ques-
ton was objected 10. and the objection
was sustained. Captain Rowe then re-
lated that he had reported a certain
action Of r. r. Easthurn az constable
after which Mr.. Easthurn resigned
Later on another magistrate was
elected. and was not considered by Cap
tain Rowe a competent officer. SO he
went 20 Judg" Chichester, after confer
ing with +. w Coleman. lawyer who
has large practice in Spotsylvania,
and asked that Mr.. Easthurn be re-
appointed. which was done. This was
two years ago.
l.. B. Dickinson was called. and in
answer 10 question stated that he
did not vote for w 6. E,nbrey for the
Legislature. He vas n member OF TIE
delegation that advocated the appoint
,nent Of Biscoe as clerk. He did not re-
member whether any Republicans were
in tho delegation or not. He said the
appointment OF !. II. Crismond as clerk
At that time was not satisfactory TO
me people Chairman oliver asked
what the people thought o, Mr.. Girls
'nond's appointment. now that he has
been in Office two years. and the wit
said he was satisfied with Mr.
C-ismond and regarded hin, as good
clerk. He said Lee j. Graves was act
ing Commonwcalth's attorney. as Judge
Waller was physically unable TO at
tend TO the duties
The witness was asked by Mr.. Powell
who composed the ring" and he
answered that he did not know there
Was a ring" Neither did not know
of any case in which Judge Chichester
was advised 10 appointments, except
when Mr.. Crismond was named as
clerk, and he said this was at public
meeting. He repeated that he con-
s!dercd Mr.. Crismond competent
clerk. He did not think Judge Waller
was competent TO ill his appointment
as Commemorative attorney because
of his physical condition. Mr. Powell
asked II IL was on account Of Judge
walters physca! condition only that
another Commemorative attorney was
appointed. Mr.. Dickinson said that
vas the only reason so far as he knew
He stated that he had been school trus-
tee for three years. and that Judge
Chichester never had asked him to have
certain man appointed, nor tried to
influence him in any way. He said he
had never seen Judge Chichester take
part in n political meeting.
Mr.. Powell asked the witness if F.
w. Coleman had asked him to vote
particular way. This was objected to-
but Mr.. Powell said ne wished to show
that Judge Chichester through the
ring" approached voters in regard to
their voting without going 10 them
himself lie charged that the electoral
board turned out officers OF election
who did not vote their way. and said
this party was composed of creatures
OF Judge Chichester. Powell excepted
TO the ruling OF the committee
WITNESS SPOKESMAN
OF BISCOE DELEGATION
~ 4 L iDithiHSpl was called 10 the
stand. He said he was spok esman for
the delegation that called on Judge
Chichester and asked for the appoint-
lnent of Mr.. Biscoe as clerk He did
not remember that Judge Chichester
made any statement at the time. He
said he urged the appointment OF
Biscoe because he thought he was fully
competent. and he believed A. H. Girls.
mond was In position to know of
the condition Of the clerks Office under
his father before the alleged SHORTAGE
disclosures. He said he saw the dele
! cation composed. of Judge Embrey. G
a.. T, S. and F. w. Coleman, when ~
urged the appointment of Crismond
The appointment of Crismond. he said
displea sed the people at the time