The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-03-02

Case Of Judge Stevens.
The Enquirer of the 9th, under ''Topics at
the Capitol has the following reference to
the proceedings in the Legislature in the case
of Judge Stevens, OF Nelson, who fleeced del
egate Fowle at the little game of ''draw po-
ker -
The committee of investigation in The case of
Judge Stevens. reported that he had gambled
at Wosham's-first at a game called faro
BANK and secondly, according to his own adj
missions, at game called 'sdraw-pOker" OK
..freeze-out.'' The fact that he had been
convicted by the Hastings Court of this
city of unlawful gaming and been fined was
also recited. The report concluded with a
recommendation for his removal from Office
A bystander remarked that the game is faro
and not s'faro-bank," and thought the commit
tee will run the risk by the use of the latter
term of being thought discreditably ignorant
on the subject.
There was good deal of discussion in re-
gard to the proper mode of procedure, and mo-
lions to pass by, and print, and lay on the Ia
BILE and print, were made but the House was
in no humOr to entertain any of them. and as
soon as the pending question could be called,
adopted the report. During the discussion
Judge Allen took the position that if Stevens
was guilty he was guilty of '.high crilne'' and
must be impeached and tried before the Senate.
This involved his disqualification from holding
office hereafter. If guilty, he wanted him
punished to the extent OF the law. The re-
lnoval clause had only reference to cases,
Judge Allen said, where judges are incapacita
ted by reason of physical disability.
Mr.. Stuart, on the other hand. said that I'M
der the Constitution prior to 1850. Il Judge
could only be removed from office for high
crimes and misdemeailor, and misdnmeanOr
here partook of the c,'imen falsi Perjury WIS
misdemeanOr at common law. There was
no power to remove judge for physical dis:l-
bilities or for gross immortality. In 1888 there
were three judges on the bench who had been
paralvzed and rendered unfit for judicial SER
vice, and yet there was no constitutional mode
OF getting rid of them. In 1850, a clause was
inserted in the Constitution then made, by
which judges could be removed for physical
disability snd immortality. This did not carry
with it any of the disabling consequences of
impeachment. Now, if Judge Stevens had
been guilty of dragging Capt. Fowle, and
winning large sums of money, as was alleged
through the newspapers, then he would have
been liable to punishment under the impeacI-
ment clause; but the testimony before the
committee showed that his offence must be
tried by joint resolution under the clause which
authorizes the Legislature to remove judges
from office.
All the members of the House who voted at
all, voted for the report. except Messrs. Cor
don. Bohannon, Carpenter; and Cecil, who vo-
ted in the negative.
Peter j. Carter COL. was willing to pass by
and print, but he was astonished, he said, to
find MIR. Gordon agreeing with him, as that
gentleman had refused like request when
Ruffln was expelled the other day. He further
said he always understood that judges liked a
litf1n ma of car6s and that when the LAWYERS
got little lively from drinking wine that card
playing was favorite past-time with them.
TIE results of last falls and this winters
elections in Pennsylvania move the Pittsburg
Gazette to say that the prospects for Republican,