New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-01-08
CURRENT TOPICS AT TIE CAPITAL.

THE Iupr ,cuuENr CASES OF DUREIL AND BUSTED.
WAsHINGTON. Thursday, Jan. 7, 1916.
The House cleared it's docket of impeachment cases
TODAY Durell and Bustce1 had both resigned
during the recess, TO prevent trial and conviction
before the Senate and that left the Judiciary Com
mitee according to the general usage OF the House,
nothing to 90 but to report back the resolutions
that had been referred TO it, and to move that they
be laid upon the table, This business occupied con-
siderable of the time of the House. This did not
result from any opposition to the report of the Com
mittee but to the discussion of the question whether
or not tho House had any right to proceed with the
impeachment of an officer after he had resigned. 1t
was generally conceded that no public official who
had been guilty of high crimes and misdemeanoTs,
and who had thus subjected himself to impeachment
and the consequent punishment could escape
that punishment by q resignation In these
cases il was thought inexpedient to put the
country to the expense and the Senate to the trouble
of holding Impeachment trials, although some of the
Democrats suggested that proof that an officer had
guilty of high crimes had lately been the step
ping stone to promotion, and tor hat reason II might
be well TO try Direll and Bnsteed aud disqualify
them from holding office III future. IL Is an interest
ing fact that Just the time hen the attention of
tue whole country is turned to Louisiana ana every
body is excited over the latest Federal outrage
there the Judiciary Committee of the House is only
prevented from reporting articles OF impeachment
against Judge DARRELL for issuing the very order on
winch alone hcllOgRs INC PliSo III
rests, by the resiguatlon OF that Judge.
TIE CHARGES AGAINST REPRESENTATIVE
sTOWELL.
The Naval Committee of the House held a morn
ing and evening session to-day, continuing the
cadetshp investigation Of Representative Stowe
Ex-Gov Wells of Virginia, counsel for Mr. Stowel
| cross-examined Graham, whose direct testimony
was given yesterday. The cross-examination was
mainly directed to affect the credibility of the wit
ness 1t developed not few important discrepan-
cies. At time when Graham had said he was in
want of funds, he admitted having paid per-
sonal debts to a considerable amount He contra
dicted himself in some important particulars, and
failed 10 make many satisfactory explanations.
Notes and obligations due from him to Mr.. Stowell
TO the amount of $780, and still remaining in the
hands Of the latter exhibited and identified by
| Mr.. Graham. as being genuine 1t is upon
| this unpaid debt of $500 that Mr. Stowell
alleges the $9lO deposited with Jay Cooke & Co,
were intended to be applied. and the balance due
$780, is the sum he frequently applied to Mr.. Ora
| ham for payment. The name Of MT Evans which
was attached to Grahams certlhcato TO the cbarac.
| ter and residence, shown by the testimony OF
| Mr.. Evans himself to be forgery, and Evans FUR
| ther testified that since the commencement OF the
| investigation. Graham had referred to this paper
| and asked him If he would not come forward ana
| say that he (Grahaml was authorized to sign his
| (Evans's) name. The cross examination OF Graham
and the direct evidence OF Evans give better look
to Mr. S.owells case, far he is concerned. To-
| morrow the Investigation will be continued, when
other witnesses on behalf of Mr.. Stowell will be
| ainned.
THE sUGG FORT CLAIM
Mention was made several weeks ago of the fact
that the claim of man named Sugg Fort of Tennes-
sec was allowed by certain Treasury officers on the
report of the Commssary of Subsistence. after the
claim had been rejected as fraudulent by the Com
mittee ON War Claims Representative Butler OF
Tennessee having pressed the payment of the claim.
The amount received by Fort was $23, 733. The Sec
rotary of the Treasury, on the facts having been
brought to his notice directed the Solicitor Of the