The Richmond

Billings, D. J.

A motion has been made that I should decline to sit in this cause because I have been of counsel. The doctrine ol recusation of judges is of continental origin. According to the lavs of Great Britain it has been unknown since before Blackstono’s time. According to the law which prevails upon the continent, and as declared in the Code of France, a judge is recusable if he has given counsel, pleaded, or written of the controversy, has previously acted as judge or arbitrator, or defrayed the expenses of the suit, deposed as a witness, etc. But at the common law as it prevailed in…