New-York tribune., 1874-02-14
THE DURELL INVESTIGATION AT NEW
ORLEANS,

DAMAGING TESTIMONY TAKEN BEFORE THE con-
GRRssIoNAL COMMITTEE - THE EVIDENCE OF
LAWYERS AND CITIZENS ALL AGAINST HIM-HIs
MANNER on THE BENCH - CORRUPTION AND
DRUNKENNESS CHARGED By NEARLY ALL THE
WITNESSES
IRON AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THB TRIBUNE
NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 22.-On the heels of
Messrs. Wilson and Eldredge, the subcommittee OF the
House Judiciary Committee, the whole bankrupt ring,
which determined at all costs to Judge Durel,
departed from this city for Washington. The presence
OF Norton, Billings, Bariet and their friends at the
Federal capital accounts for the statement, by ele
graph. that the Committee might make report favor
able to Judge Durell Before leaving this city Mr. Nor
ton drew all his money out of the banks and placed 1t
in New-York make IL convenient for ready use
In Washington 1t will do good There is no escape
for Judge Dure from the testimony taken here by the
SUBJ Committee. With all Its prudence and vigilance II
has been impossible for the Committee to.suppres its
disgust at the facts laid before it, The witnesses were
not political partlsans, men known as enemies OF
Judge Durel In truth. they generally OF class
OF fawyers whom Judge Durel has made great efforts TO
enrich and 10 favor Some them had been persuaded
two years ago sign letter requesting him not 10
resign the sgners however, numbered only about II
out of about 800 members OF the bar. or these
several have testified TO conduct on the part
OF Judge Dure, since the signing OF the letter.
of the most dsgraceful kind. Two of the most
time place aDd occasion, to his beng drunk on the
bench aud his brutal, insulting and violent demeanor
toward LAWYERS witnesses, and Others All the lawyers
testified that, according TO their belief and CONVICTION
his variable demeanor on the bench could not be ex-
paued on any other hypothesis than that OF de-
bauches At times he was grave, sedate and patient; ;
al other times he was irascbe violent overbearng and
decamatory, without apparent cause. His general bear
ing toward the bar has been offensive beyond all i-
ooit,a of hoga rhO m yer ia
An exception to the general testimony OF the bar
should be made in the Of Mr. Billings the attorney
for Mr. Norton, the universal assignee Mr. Billings has
the companion Of Judge Durel in all his Journeys
festivities, and political schemes; they seem TO be
always together Judge Durels court IL not considered
regularly opened for business unless Mr. Billings IL
present. lie get an order from the Judge at mid
night which other lawyer could get In open day. In
his evidence before the Congressional Committee he
testified TO his friends uniform sobriety He had been
most Intimate with the Judge, he said and had
seen him under the influence OF alcohol wine After
he had concluded his evidence, Charley Rhodes, the
keeper Of famous restaurant in Canalst, called.
lie was accompanied by two of his walters.
@. odd you ever see Judge Durel drunk I" asked Mr.
Q. When and where A. Moreau's restaurant.
Q When was the last time you saw him IN that eond
O. How drunk was hei A. So much 60 that one OF my
waters had TO help him down stairs.
q. Who was with him at the time A. Messrs Norton
ami BiDgs they were always with him.
The walters also confirmed the testimony OF Mr..
Rhodes. Besides this. however, there the follow
ing leading members OF the bar who gave damag-
ing testimony against Judge Durel, only in regard
10 his drunkenness but TO innumerable acs OF exorton
and mafeasance perpetrated chiefly by MT Norton but
authorized sanctioned and encouraged by the rules and
orders OF Judge Durell Judge John a. Campbell, ex-
ChiefJusice MerriGk. COunselors John Penney Henry
c. Miller, u. s. District Attorneys Judge j. N. Lea, for
mery OF the Supreme; j. A. Walsh, Assistant CITY At
torney; j. Beckwith United states District Attorney
H. Mott Mayor John A. New, Messrs. Bernard, Lubatt
and others. Besides these, thero were citizens who
testified startling OF punder and backmaing
perpetratod by Mr.. Norton, with the eonniyance OF
Judge Durell and even without this affirmative evil
denoe there were tho faots admitted anu shown from
tbo re0Vrds hat Air. Norton WAC forced upon the cred