Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-02-28

Fowle. within twenty four hours, sum OF
money greater than twenty dollars-to wit. the
sum of two thousand dollars, or some other large
sum and did also, at the same place, 90 the
4th day of January, 1876, within twenty-four
hours, by playing aud betting at the same game
with the said Fowle, win from him coupon
bonds of the District of Columbia of greater
value than twenty dolIars-to wit, ten OF sald
bonds of the nominal value of $500 eacn-ln
violation of section of chapter 1874 otthe Code
of Virginia, edition of 1873, anu in violation OF
his oath Of Office as judge aforesaid.
2. That the said charge or causes OF re-.
moval be entered on the Journal OF the House
| of Delegates; that a copy thereof be trans
mitted 10 the Senate, to be entered Oh its jour
nal: that copy thereof be furnished to the
| said Geo. S. Stevens, judge as aforesaid, to-
| gether with notice of the fact aud time set
for the consideration Of the matter by the
House at least twenty days before such tune
| 80 fixed for the consideration thereof.
| Respectfully submitted,
JOHN K. MASSEY, Chairman.
The following minority report was sub
| 70 the Honorable the House Of Delegates o.
Virginia.:
| The undersigned, member of the specla
committee appointed to Inquire into The truth
or falsily of charges against Geo. 5. Stevens
Judge of the County Court of n lson, begs
leave to submit the following as the report
only of the undersigned. The preamble ACC
| resolution that created the committee and de-
fined its powers are as follows. Here the pre-
ambIe and resolution are glv:n
1t will be observed that the resolution slmp
" directs The committee to report the 'truit
or falsity Of the statements CONCERNING salc
| Stevens
Therefore the undersigned, differing with
| The committee as 10 the authority Of the cOm
| mitlee under said resolution, to recommend
specific action to be taken by the General As
semby, and believing that simp Ie statement
of the facts proved is all that Was contemplated
by the resolution, the undersigned dlu not auc
| does not agree with the committee in the pr
priety of their report. He agrees with tho
mnittee 10 the statement Of the facts i:
| proven; but as 10 whether the facts as proven
operate a disqualification to said George 5
Stevens as Judge is either judicial question:
or one OF morals aud if the latter, It then be-
comes question as to whether or not his oath
of Office has been violated 1t may be con-
tended by some that the oath OF office takcr
by him only applies to the judicial admluls'ra
| ton of his position, and not to his lmmora
| habits as a man BY others it may be contend
| ed that the immoral habits of man who occu
pies judicial position does come within The
range, and is violation Of his oath OF office
| That Judge Stevens has violated the lnW BY
PLAYING cards there is no doubt, and III thu
opinion of the undersigned snch playing o.
| cards was inconsistent with his judicial posi-
| ton.
The facts being before The House, the under
| signed leaves the Hous" tn act without aI.y
suggestion from CHARLES A. RONALD.
| Judge Allen moved that the report Of The
majority Of the committee be laid GU the table
aud that it be printed, but the motlon VIA:
Withdrawn.
Mr. Gordon thought that the committee hac
over-stepped their power, as they We're appoint
ed to consider the conduct OF Judge Stevens
and report the result to the House. He movcc
that the report be referred tU the Commltee
on Courts of Justice. Lost.
| Peter j. Garter said that he would vote
against the removal Of Judge Stevens as al
gentlemen played cards, and ne did pot think
| it was sufficient cause for removal.
MIR. Arnis,ead Carter urged the adoption Of
the report.
Mr.. Stuart took the floor ADD argued that
4
| facts suficient-to justify the impeachment u
Judge Stevens, but the committee had con
Quoted the examination as the Constitution d.
reefs, and he agreed with the com uiltei
that the conduct of Judge Stevens wa:
| sufficient cause for removal. Mr.. Stuart said
| that under the Constilu ion Of l716 ihc
| SAFE could only get rid OF a judge who
had been guilty of high crime or INSIDE.
| meanor and misdemcanor 10 the connection
Involved the crinaen tuLsi; for example, per.
| Jury was such mlsdcmeanor at cummun law.
| A Judge could not be displaced for gross in
morality or for physical disability. IL 1888
| there were three judges paralyzei, and there
was 40 way of getting rid Of them. ln 1856
| the Constitution to meet such cas's provided
two modes of dislodgIug judges-hrSt, b. lm-
peachmeut where there Was high crime; see
| ond, ty removal where there was lmmorall!y
| or physical disability, 10. The present. pro
vision OF the Constitution was copied from that
of 1850. Stevens, Mr. Stuart said, Was clearly
| not guilty Of the high crime for which ne
| would be liable to impeachment, as h. would
have been had he drugged Fowle, as was
| charged, but was guilty OF az ottence VII ch
warranted his removal.
The majority report was then adopted by a
vote Of 90 to 4, the negative votes belug those
of Mess.s 8. Gordon, Bohanuon, Carpenter and
Cecil.
The reason for naming 80 distant day as
| the 23d for the con, Iteration OF the question
| of the removal of Judge Stevens from office
was that twenty days notice is required
Eighth Session of the Virginia An
nual Conference
FOURTH DAY.
The Conference MT this morning at moe
clock. Bishop Bowman presiding.
Rev. Il. G. CLANCY conducted the devotional
exercises, reading the 81 chapter Of u Peter,
singing the 57Oth hymn, aud prayer.
The Journal Of the afternoon session OF
Saturday was read and approved.
The Bishop stated that the Conference was
entitled to credit IF $50 in the charter fund,
aud they could draw at pleasure.
B. B. Redwine was grated supernunerary