Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-01-14
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP

induces us, in fuldlment of q principle and
policy in connection with such subjects, long
aimee laid down for our own guidance. as ali
know who have been constant readers Of the
Star, to keep it before Congress until what we
deem to be proper action upon it on their part
shall have been ordered
For our part, we cannot conceive what may
be the difficulties in the way Of the action
prayed. Memorial after msmorial, praying
for an Investigation into the official conduct f
this district jddge Of Texas, has been pro-
sented, backed up by the action Of the Legs
laturs of the State 10 the same end The en-
tire delegation Of the State in Congress are
also virtually petitioners to the same end We
know that great difficulties exis. in the way Of
carrying an impeachment to q successful ter
mination. Indeed, is is said by some that it
is useless to impeaoh-that an impeachment is
farce. ii SO, why DO cur legislators allow it
to remain SO? and upon what is such an asser-
ton based? Within our history there have
been but two cases Of the Impeachment Of
Federal judgss-Chase aud Peck. In the
Gaze Of Judge Chase the offences alleged were
tyranny and abuse of power. In the case of
Judge Peck, tyrennical abuse of power; in o
contempt-cf-court case, in which the party was
offered his privilege of purging himself by
disayowing any Intentional contempt, which
he declined doing. Even in this case the vote
Of the Sens.s on the question stood about
equally divided:
"hr. Senator, now say you2 Il the re.
srondent, James Ii. Peck, guilty or not guilty
Of high misdtmeapor. as charged in the ar
ticles Ct impeachment 2"
Tweaty.one voted guilty; twenty-five not
gailty.
In neither of these cases was CORFU tion
charged. But here We have charges Of abuse
Of power, corruption, and the commission of
almost every heirous offence tina; Judge in
bis Cfacial position could perpetrate.
Will committee of tae Housewife the
House establish preceden. that the difficulty
md the expense attending an impeachment
will prevent an investigation into the conduct
Of jui;eial func;ionsries? Tie enunciation
Of such principle is absolutely startling!
What charter is here granted
The penal statutes are not intended alone
for the punishment Of the guilty, but to deter
Others from committing the like acts Of guilt
And what is compromising felony 1t is
thus defined by Bowler:
"The act of party Immediately eggrieved,
who agrees with a thief or other felon th at he
will rot prosecute hin, on condition that he
return him the goods stolen, or who takes q
reward not to prosecute"
"A Federal Judge by an abuse Ct his power
aggrieves citizen OF tie United States, and
robs Of right. And shall q simple return"
Of his Office, without a censurc, be the only
penalty We put this question to every honest
citizen.
1t is no doubt true that in such cases the
House is left sat perfect liberty to pursue the
great ends Of justice, GutrammeIled by any
other rules than those which reason and com
mon utility prescribe But it cannot be said
by any gentleman &C our National Legislature
that the great ends Of justice would be sus
tanned by snOtherin. in the committee the
charges preferred against the present accused
HJudge Wstrous is innocent Of the acts i'm
pu.ed to him, we are, in this article, and in the
position we have taken in this matter, pleading
his cause, in pressing for an Investigation. II
he lie guilty we are pleading the cause Of An
outraged peOpls-the whole people.
These charges or the chief part of them,
have been made public by the press through
eat the country; those contained in the memo
rial of Mr.. Jacob Nussina having been pub
lished 10 New Orleans in August last. 1t Is
due 10 the honor and credit Of the Bench-we
feel confident that We echo the voice Of eyery
high and honorable functIOnary, whether of
the inferior or Supreme COurts-that an inves.
tigatiOn be had.
We now present the reader with q synopsis
of the charges preferred by Mr.. Eliphas Spsn.
Ger, whose memorial was presented by Mr..
Bell, of Texas.
]. That John c. WatrOus while he was the
sole presiding Judge CT the Federal Court of
Texas, acquired secretly and under cover Of
another man IS name, IN interest in an eleven
league grant, with notice that the land covered
by said eleven league grant was in the actual
adverse possession, under claim OF title, OF
your msmOrialist and other persons claiming
title to said land.
2 That the said John C. Watrous, while
Judge as aforesaid, made the purchase or &C.
CURED al interest IS aforesaid, with the IN.
derstanding and intention Of GtigatiDg and
determining tie validity Of said eleven league
grant in the Federal Court Of Texas, Of which
lie was the sole presiding Judge
3 That the said John C.. WatrOus as afore
said, counselled and procured the entire ap
parent legal title TO be made TO nonresident
II the State Of Texas, I, ersby TO confer juris
diction on The Federal Court Of Texas TO hear
and determine any quit that might be brought
10 test the validity Of said eleven le agus grant
That suits were brought in the Fedora
Court Of Texas on or about the llth day Of
Japua,v, A ID 1851 in the name Of g resident
citizen on the State Of Alabama as sole plain
tiff against memoralist and other occupants O
said land, ia all consisting Of eleven cases, IN
which suits various orders were made, tn,
said Watrous being then and there the soil
presiding Judge.
5. That said John G. Wstrous, Judge .
aforesaid, while said suits were pending IN hi