The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-11-08
CAUSE FOB IMPEACHMENT.

UAUO6 fVh 1Mf6AUdAENI.
With the topping over of tho Execut:v
branch Of the Kellogg government and the
revolution in the Legislative, now comes thu
dissolution Of the judiciary. In all we'll regu
lated States, and, in fact, in all civilized
countries where governments are honest and
intelligent, the Judiciary is looked upon as
the palladium Of all the rights of the people.
1t should be pure, incorruptible and above
suspicion. It should be Independent and non
partisan; fearless and impartial in the admin
istration of justice and jealous Of its fame
and its dignity.
In what light does the Supreme Court Of
Louisiana, IS organized by the Radical party,
appear? Its Chief Justice, John T. Ludeling,
is himself guilty Of the charge Of obstructing
the execution of q legal process. He harbors
within his own house a fugitive from justice,
and aids him in evading the pursuit of the
officers Of the law. The order Of Court, is
sued by a Republican Judge of District
Court, wlssse mandates and decisions are sub
ject 10 the revision Of the Supreme Court, is
men of Chief Justice.
A sense of delic'cy, a proper respect for a
brother Judge, and just appreciation Of the
honor and dignity of his high Office, should
have been sufficient to have restrained Judge
Ludeling from any interference whatever in
SO delicate matter. But it seems he pos
sesses none of those qualities that so eminent
ly belong to an upright and honest Judge.
His psrtisanship, his violent political senti-
ments, his hostility to the people among
whom he was born, but who do rot recognize
him because of his apostacy and treachery,
have made him commit an act which renders
him liable to impeachment under very
grave charge of official violation of law.
Not content with concealing in his house
the miserable wretch, Seelye, he adds to
his legal crime by giving utterance to deli
berate falsehood in denying that the offender
was anywhere about the premises.
But when the past history of Judge Ludel-
ing is reviewed and his disreputable connec-
ton with the Vicksburg and Shreveport Rail-
road is remembered; when it is brought to
mind that his present position as Chief JUS
tice, was di.honorably obtained and he was
charged by Democratic member, upon the
floor of the Senate, with having paid the sum
of $4,000 for the effice, and that his anxiety
to obtain the place was for the express pur
pose Of protecting his interests in the Vicks-
burg Railroad, in all suits that might come
before the court, it is not at all to be wondered
at that he should be guilty Of such conduct as
the telegraph on Saturday m orn ny charges
him with.
For such official delinquencies, such un-
parelleled intermeddling, such unbecoming
and undignifed conduct of the Chief Justice,
the Legislature should, without delays or hes
tation, proceed to the impeachment of Judge
Ledeling and his dismissal from an Office
which he disgracss and prostitutes for base
purposes. personal as we'll as political In
deed, there is no truer axiom than "Q tenn
deus vuk perdere prius densentat." Had any
cause been wanting for the removal Of Judge
Ludeling, his own acts, committed probably
from consciousness Of the desperate condi-
ton of his party and it's inevitable ruin, have
furnished ample grounds and at most OPP
perfume moment, to authorize and justify his
Impeachment by the Legislature. Let it be
done.