The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-01-26
The Rur,lett Impeachment.

@sAS 'SS''t~ o. .'.~
usual formalities at the usual hour,
Manager Stuart took up the thread OF his
argument, after apologizing for the
length OF his speech, and showed that
whatever amounts the banks which had
entered into corrupt arrangement with
John s. Burdctt had paid him over and
above the interest paid TO the State was
loss to the State, because they would
have paid the same interest to the State
upon the same conditions.
The minimum and maximum rates Of
interest having been established by law,
there was no arrangement which the
Treasurer could make with the banks for
other than the benefit OF the State that
did not delraud the State 10 the amount
appropriated to the personal profit Of the
Treasurer.
The Manager then closed his argument
with review OF the testimony, showing
wherein the Treasurer had been guilty Of
the charges Of corruption, maladministra-
ton and neglect Of duty. He concluded
by setting forth the pretentious duplicity
OF the respondent in his whole official
course. With flourish OF trunpets lie
had taken possession OF the Office OF Treas
urer, bOastfully announcing that he was
going to clear the political atmosphere,
fumigate the establishment and hence
forth everything would be pure and clean;
yet he had scarcely become warm in his
Official seat before he set on foot cor
rupt system OF speculation with the pco-
pies money. While boldly and blatantly
calling for the most searching inquiry
into the management OF his office, he was
at the same time industriously throwing
obstacles in the way OF investigation,
,Grantham, abjectly pleading
with MofIett to refrain from his activity
in the matter, lest he should play the
devil with us (the Burdett family.)
The action Of the Senate in this case
would 90 far towards settling the future |
Of the State. If.it be shown that officers
will be held strictly accountable for their
acts and that.the straight and narrow
path of official integrity is the only one
that can be Travelled with safety, It will |
be well with the State; but il it be estab-
lished that the conduct wherewith the
stands charged, and which
has not only been proven but admitted,
constitute no oftense, no man can predict
its deleterious effect upon the future OF
tho State.
Manager Stuart was followed by Mr..
Morrow, OF the counsel for the respond
cnt, who occupied the time OF the Senate
from about II o'clock in the forenoon un-
til the hour of adjournment in the even
Ing. Notwithstanding the fact that
Counsel Morrow assured himself that
whatever he might say would be
listened to, the general tend
,ncy Of the Senate is not thatway. There
Il unmistakable evidence that the Sem
ltors are not keenly alive to the elabor-
lte display Of legal research upon the
part OF each successive speaker. Hash
8 good, but rehash is rather monoto-
ious diet unless il is heavily spiced. The
burden Of the gentlemen's speech was the
ame that has characterized the speeches
IN the side OF the defense from the OPEN
ng Of the debate in the House Of Dele
,ates to the present time. The counsel
eemed inclined to find fault with the In
Committee for the number Of
he articles preferred against the re.
pondent. He characterized the articles
= m "olld podridd," and took up long
ime in enlightening the Senate upon the
roper method OF getting up articles Of
which will no doubt be
Iseiul to the honorable members Of the
Anate in the future.
On the rights Of repositories the learn
d counsel proceeded to show that no
auk Of deposit had any right to demand
ny special fayors Of the Treasurer, and
'hile it would have shown a spirit Of
on the part OF the Treasurer
0 have distributed his checks pretty
vcnly among the several repositories,
et he committed no wrong, no injustice
\ pursuing different course. Upon this !
oint the gentleman's discussion took b
cry wide range, but after while return
ig, like Ulysses, from his wandering he
nally settled upon the transaction with !
le Merchants Bank OF Charleston as the
,rner stone Of his speech. He thought :
very business like and laudable desire !
n the part OF the bank to secure large
rposits and for long time.
Tile counsel here took occasion to ex.
lain to the very inexperienced gentle G
zen who compose the Senate that it is |
uch more profitable for bank to have 5
5 deposits remain for long time with. ?
1t being subject to draft than to be held a
erely on call. 1t was therefore lauda. Q
q and perfectly legimate transaction for 4
lem to seek such an arrangement and TO 4
~ the Treasurer q handsome sum in or. b
n to secure such an arrangement, and y
lually as laudable and lawful on the part Il
the treasurer to confer the favor for
ipulated price and not contrary to the
institution or the law, or in violation Of
" duty owing by the Treasurer to the G
ate. We might pursue the gentleman's t.
gument further but this Is sufficient to I
.oW the quality Of the legal pabulum that A
G Senators. are expected to digest. L
ending the argument the Senate nd.