Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-01-18
DURELL.
The Infamous Radical Judge and Tool,
OF New 0rleans-Evidence OF
his Raseallty.
He Is Certain to De ImPeAched- Taxes
in New Orleans Virtual
COnflseaiiOH,


From the 81. Louis Democrat tRadicaDl
WASHINGTON, ID. c., January l5.-
Judge Nels De and Mr.. Eldridge, of the
Judiciary committee, who spent the re-
cess in New Orleans, taking testimony
regarding Judge Durell, are busy pre-
pairing 1t, and will place it before the
full committee in a short time. The
evidence shows very unpromising case
for Durell, and that the DAYS OF his use
fulness are about ended. Among
the important points in the tes-
umOny are the following in
regard to the midnight order, as it is
termed, issued by Durell, by which the
Mechanics Institute, the place of meet
ing Of the Legislature, was seized. 1t
came out that the order was issued by
Durelps own motion, and without the
knowledge Of either Of the attorneys
acting in the matter. In other words,
DUren made motion for this order for
himself, as judge, and in the latter ca
pacity issued it. It also appears that
Durel made two orders in regard to
ONE OF HIS FA1IuIARs,
for the purpose Of throwing the chief
business Of bankrupt cases into his hands.
The first order was directing that in all
bankrupt cases this special friend, named
Norton, should be assignee, except where
the creditors appointed some other per-
son. Lest this appointment of other
persons should, after a time, take the
business out Of NoTton's hands, it was
further provided in the order that he
should act as co-assignee in all the lat
ter class Of cases.
WHEN TROUBLE AROSE
about excessive fees, Duren made an
other order, to the effect that no com.
plant about fees, OF papers looking to
securing a remedy for excessive fees,
should be filed, unless fifty dollars were
first deposited. This, of course, greatly
lessened formal complaint about rates
fixed by Norton. There is much evil
dence tending to connect Durell with
NoTton's excess, and on this the case for
impeachment will mainly rest. The
committee collected much testimony
from persons representing all factions
and all classes Of people, for the purpose
Of setting forth the real condition Of af-
fairs. The committee is
GREATLY DIsHEARTENED
at the prospect. Property of all kinds is
rapidly deteriOrating. Within two years
country property has declined from fifty
in New Orleans from thirty TO fifty per
cent. The taxes virtually amount to
confiscation. Property that would not
sell for five thousand dollars is assessed
at twenty thousand dollars; and proper
ty renting in the city at one thousand
five hundred dollars is assessed at fifteen
thousand dollars. While the sub-com-
mittee does not express its opinion in
advance of reporting to a full commit
tee, it is quite evident, from the chsrac-
ter of the testimony collected, that
Durell will be impesched, If he does not
escape by resigning.
HIS RESIGNATION.
From the Washington Correspondent Chicago
Tribune:
The subcommittee Of the house Judi
cisry committee, which went to New
Orleans to investigate the charges
against Judge DGrell, with a view to /
presenting articles Of impeachment, re-
turned here to-day. The testimony /
taken will be laid before the house in a /
few days. No recommendations viii be /
made. The statement is made that the /
impression entertained by the CON- 4
mittee while at New Orleans, that Du-
rell would Immediately resign, but the l
appearance here tonight OF Durell's /
silent partner, to work in the latter's /
interest, causes q belief that the Judge 4
not only does not intend to vacate his 1
present office, but that be will do all in 1
his power, with the assistance of his /
friends, to defeat action against him in |
the house.
From the Washington Correspondent Of the |
ST. Louis Republican.
The facts in regard to the resignation
of Durell are that it has been rendered,
and accepted by the President on condi- |
ton that NJ charges o. impeachment
are brought as a result Of the late inves-
tigation, but that in case such charges
are brought, DUrell shall meet and an !
swer them.
Prom the Washington Correspondent Chicago |
Times.l
The evidence in the matter Of the i'm |
peachment Of Judge Durell, of Louis /
lana, will not be ready to be submitted 1
TO the Judiciary committee Of the house |
for some time. There appears to be no |
doubt that the proof will warrant bis
Impeachment on various charges. In |
the meantime, his resignation will not /
be accepted, nor until it is shown that 1
he is guiltless. His attempt to escape /
in the face of impeachment is not to be /
permitted.