National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1876-07-31
JUDGE HUMPHREYS.
Investigating His Official Conduct.

The special committee of the House of Rep
resentatives, Hon. VIM. W. Warren, chair
man, directed to investigate the charges made
against Judge Humphreys, of the District
bench, continued the examination last Sltur-
day morning.
Henry w. Garrett was the first witness, and
corroborated the testimony of members of the
bar who have testified heretofore. Judge
Humphreys is frequently hesitating and dis
connected in his utterances, which sometimes
have DO connection with the case on trial. He
believed his conduct on the bench was fire.
quen:ly tyrannical to members of the bar.
Can't say positively that he has been intoxi-
Gated on the bench, but saw him once when
witness thought he was a little "How come
you So" Have seen him interrupt counsel
rather abruptly.
John F. Hanna testified that at times he had
heard Judge H. deliver excellent opinions and
decisions, and at other times the later have
been such as to excite ridicule; believes he had
brought discredit upon the court of which he
is member.
Judge Humphreys did not cross-examine
either of these Witnesses.
Thomas T. Crittenden testified that in one
case where an injunction was denied by Judge
Humphreys and he aged an appeal, Judge
II. deman ded an excessive bond of 500 900,
buS finally reduced it to 5000. In opinion
of the witness $4,000 would have been full
and sufficient bond in this case.
THE JUDGE RESORTS TO THE BOTTLE.
]. j. Camp, assistant clerk Of tbs Suprem3
Court of the District of Columbia, was sworn:
Knew that Judge Humphreys once kept bot
tie in the clerks office; didn't drink himself,
and couldn't swear whaS was in it, but 1t bore
a label having on the name Of the firm of Hall
d Hume, wholesale grocers; it was in the
6OC l. md lr,fpa Nhrayc nod
to it; it was there several days; saw the Judge
take up the bottle aud take drink from it;
thinks that the bottle was filled more than
once while it was there; the Judge was accus-
toned to resort to the bottle several times
during the day.
Nance a good judge of liquor, do you, Mr..
Camp"
Witness. 80, yes; a good judge"
Judge Humphreys. "Wasn't this bottle in
Mr.. McNamee's private desk!''
Witness. No, Judge; it was in bookcase"
E. L. Stanton was next called, and testified
that he don't think Judge Humphreys is igno-
rant ofthc law, but does not think the organi-
ZatiOn of the mird is such as to qualify him
fully as judge. Had heari him give express
sion to hcsitating, disconnected utteran ,es;
have seen him fussy, tyrannical, &c, towards
counsel; have seen him nervous at times, SO
as TO tie unpleasant to counsel trying cases.
NEVER SAW HIM INTOXICATED,
either on or off the bench: do not think he dis
eliminates against those who do not loan him
money or in favor of those who do: read a mo-
ton once before Judge Humphreys court in an
important case, and Judge Humphreys ordered
him to take his seat, and said his motion would
IQI be fled. The WiiEets informed him that
the motion was already filed, when the Judge
q lcred it off the file, and again ordered him
to take his seat. The only objection given by
Judge Humphreys for declining to file the mo-
ton was the grounds upon which The mo.iOn
was based. Don't believe the yud. : means to
be unkind, but that his cceutlicitieS are due
to his peculiar mental organization.
Judge Humphreys. Don't you think, Mr..
Stanton, that your impression of my conduct
on the bench is derived from the fact of my
decided manner in addressing cOunseH
Witness. No, Judge; you give your orders
and directions in the nature of command,
which is not pleasant to counsel.
Judge Humphreys. "Well, now, Mr.. Stan
ton, don't usually preface my directions to
counsel TO take their seats by the words, IF
you please"
Witness. 'tWell, Judge, even if you do, you
do it in such manner as to give the counsel
10 hope OF redress"
Judge Humphreys. "Now, Mr. Stanton,
amt You nervous man.
Wuness. 81 don't know that am, judge
Judge Humphreys. swell, of course, Mr..
Stanton, thai is matter of opinion. A man
may be nervous without giving outward evil
dence of the fact. l notice that you generally
yield TO my decisions"
Witness. eyes, generally yield when see
there's no use fighting any lorger."
James VI. Johnston was sworn, and testified
that he agreed in the main with the testimony
of Mr.. Stanton.
The committee adjourned to meet at neon
next Wednesday.