The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1876-02-10

inson, Eastman, Ferrell, Grantham
Golf, johnson, LOOMS, Mcdonald
Scott, Shelton and Sherrard-i1
Nor Guilty. Arnett, Caldwell, Gun
ningham, Custom, McGinnis, anc
Price-6.
The President announced that two
thirds having voted guilty" the re
spondent stood convicted Of the charge
as contained in the second article
This article charges a conspiracy nth
William 4. Burdett to keep $4,000
of the State funds on deposit in the
Merchants Bank at Charleston. The
Senate then, at the motion of Scna'
tor Loomis, declined 10 entertain fur,
ther the remaining articles, leaving
the respondent virtually acquitted Of
them.
Senator MeGinnis offered a rcsolu,
ton that whereas the Treasurer had
been convicted of misdemcanors, that
he be censured by the Senate but not
removed from Office. This PROPOSE,
ton was voted down. The Presi-
dent then announced that in passing
Judgment the Senate had the power
to remove the respondent from Office
and disqualify him from holding of
fee hereafter, or they could remove
him without the disqualification, and
if there was no objection on the part
of the Senate he would submit the
two propositions separately, There
being no objection it was done accor-
dinghy.
The vote for removal stood 10 to 4.
The second proposition as towhether
Mr.. Burdett should be disqualified
from holding any Office of profit or
trust hereafter being submitted, the
Senate voted unanimously in the
negative. So Mr.. Burdctt was rcmoy-
ed but not disqualified from holding
office in this State in the future
This gives the respondent, if he de-
sires to do so, an opportunity to APP
peal from the Judgment Of the Sem
ate directly to the people, and the
Senators expressed a willingness that
the people should have an opportu-
nifty of reviewing their action. An
order was then made directing the
clerk of the Senate to file a certified
copy Of the judgmcntof the impeach-
mcnt court in the Office of the Secrc-
tary of State, which has the effect Of
giving notice to all parties that the
Treasurer has been removed from his
Office Thus has concluded the most
important case in the history Of the
State Of West Virginia, and one that
has been attracting public attention
for the last several months. Wchave
RETAINED from discussing this case
during its examination, from the fact
that when any cause is undergoing a
fair judicial investigation it is un-
wise to PREJUDICE and exceedingly
wrong to bring outside influence to
bear either for or against the parties
This was simply a case of the State
of West Virginia on the one side, and
one Of her executive officers on the
other. The popular branch of the
Legislature, the representatives, Of
the people, had seen proper to arraign
one of the officers OF the State for
supposed improper conduct in dis
charging his official duty. The cause
was remanded to the Senate for trial,
and the members of that body sitting
as a Court of impeachment, we're re-
CURED on solemn oath, to hear and
determine the cause between the
State and respondent fairly and i'm
partially, and a true verdict give nc.
cording to the law and evidence
The examination was fair in all par
ticulars, and we feel free to say that
there was an ability displayed in its
arrangement by the counsel of both
sides, unsurpassed in the history Of
any case of like character. There
were doubts and honest differences Of
opinions as to the construction Of cer-
tain laws, and the admissibility Of
certain testimony; but taking the case
in all its lights and bearings, the
very decided unanimity in the vote
Of the Court must be taken as con.
elusive argument against the rcSpon-
dent. and the action of the Court