The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-06-22
THE PROCEEDING TO IMPEACH
JUDGE WATROUS, OF TEXAS.

The proceeding in the House of Representatives
to impeach judge Watrous of Texas, has attracted
considerable attention throughout the country,
Notwithstanding the age of the investigation, which
dates from 1852. The House Judiciary Commit
tee then recommended that an impeachment be not
made. The same committee Of the last Congress
reported resolution to impeach, upon which the
House did not act. The committee Of this session
have dcvided-four being for an impeachment and
four against it-Judge Caskie who might have
given the casting vote, having, from well-con-
ceived and characteristic delcacy OF honor, de-
clined to sit in the case account OF remote in
terest in some litigation in Judge Watrous' court
Each minority of the committee have obtained
leave Of the House to make their respective reports
Never, perhaps, has any committee of Congress
made so thorough, so liberal and so mastery in
yestigaton Of any matter OF accusation has the
judiciary Committee Of the House in this instance
For nearly four months, the committee has been
in session almost every day, and many days have
sat as long six hours, patiently and thoroughly
investigating the charges which have been assign
ed by the memorialists for the impeachment OF
Judge Watrous The Watrous case Will furnish a
striking and eminent precedent in the history OF
this country of proceedings to impeach. The in
vestigation has been made by some Of the master
legal minds of the country; it has been conducted
III spirit Of great lIbera!ity to the accused, VINO
has had his counsel and his witnesses before the
committee; and its conclusion in the recommends
ton Of an impeachment by portion Of the com
mittcc, is the bold and independent execution Of a
duty to the country where they have reason to
suppose misconduct in high Federal judicial
officer.
The nature Of the charges against Judge Wat
rous may be briefly stated He is accused of OPP
pressing large suitor in his Court, (NIr Jacob
Mussina) and Of embarrassing and obstructin2
hi in obt md Of thn
nttee find that every irregular or wrongful de-
cisiOn Of the Judge in favor of the complain
ants, and against the defendant (AIussina) and
those occupying similar position, and to their
particular injury" Another accusation against
him is Of graver nature viz: that he corruptly
used his Court to advance land specuations Of his
own. 1t appears that number Of suits, in which
Judge Natrous was interested to the extent of one
fourth of nearly 10000 acres Of land were brought
in the Court Of which he was the sole Judge; and
the portion of the Judiciary Committee whose
report referring to concluded that this was
done with his knowledge and consent. They say:
The prominent features Of misconduct may be
briefly summed up, and follows:
'That while holding the Office Of District Judge
Of the United States, he engaged with other per-
sons in specializing in immense tracts of land
situated within his judicial district, the titles to
which he knew were in dispute, and where litga-
ton inevitable
That he allowed his court to be used as an agent
to aid himself and partners in speculation in land,
and to secure all advantage over other persons with
whom litigation was apprehended. That he sat as
Judge the trial Of cases where he was personal
~ interested in questions involved, to which may
be added Il participation in the improper procure
nent Of testimony to advance his and partners
interest"
The offences with which Judge Watrous is
charged are certainly criminal in high degree.
If established they demand summary and signal
punishment in the face Of the country.
The matter was postponed until next session.