National Republican., 1877-09-08
JUDGE HUMPHREYS AND c. s. BELL.

WHAT THE GOVERNOR OF TEXAS THOUGHT
Of TIA MAN INDICTED FOR MURDER RE
LEASED nv A WHIMSICAL JrDGE
month ago Judge Humphreys became
ridirulonsiy prominent by releasing from Gus.
io'ly man known as Detective c. 5, Bell. who
was arrested in this city by order of .Judvc
Wylie as fugitive from justice in tho State Of
IeIas, a rcqnisition from the Governor of tha,
state having been regularly received. Bell
was taken before Judge Humphreys on writ
"i hdbens corpus, and Judge Humphreys pro.
nounccd his detention an outrage mon pcr.
sonal liberty aud released him. because, In his
opinion, rcquisition dated ut Austin, july
%, could not reach this city by August 3 The
charge was tho grave one Of murder. and
struck many ut that time that there should
have been some better grounds for the release
than the mere idea Of judge about the speed
OF mail time. Detective Cunningham, who
was to receive Bell on the part of the State of
Texas, communicated with the Governor of
that State after Bell was released and the fol-
lowing letter from Governor Hubbard shows
that the papers which Judge Humphreys
doubted on account Of dates were genuine:
EXECUTIVE OFFICE STATE NJ TExAsl
ArsTlN Aug - 1877.
james Gnaingh7H, %. ngyliHyioW n C.!
SIR Your letter Of the 9Th instant with news.
paper sip giving an account Of the sturIe proceed.
ings Of Judge Humphreys In the matter Of c. :.
Del unuet requistion nom myself sent you on the
Isth ultimo. has been received
second Iequisiton would be sent, but II cannot
be done without certified copy Of the Indictment
to attach to It. to produce which would require
some little time, hence you had better apply for
those already sent which properly belong 10 You
inclosed you will find my proclamation of the 2sth
ultimo oherins 500 reward for said Bell payable
upon conviction, which should properly have been
sent you In the same letter in which the rcqusi.
Should Judge Humphreys still decline to deliver
10 you your papers YOU will please notify me nj
once. 'N ~
Very respectfully, RIB HupBARp, Governor.
The following Is a verbatim copy Of the
proclamation Of the Governor, to which the
seal Of the State was attached:
PROCLAMATION
by THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.
$500 REWARD.
To Al 10 WhOm These Presnis Shat Come.
Al, whereas II has been made known to me that on
Oak. e $. Bell did murder william Morris, and
that said murderer Is now at largo and fugitive
Governor Of Texas, do. by virtue Of the autborIty
vested in me by the constitution and laws OF this
state hereby offer a reward Of hye hundred dol.
Bell 70 the sheriff OF Live Oak county, inside tbe
jail door OF said county. Said reward will be paw.
able only upon conviction.
+, al name and caused the Seal OF state 10 he
:, 49,, atiNed at the city Of Austin this 2sth day
OF July A. D. 1877 +, n y.
J. O. sEASY, Secretary OF State.
By Judge Humphreys reckless decision, a
man who was regularly indicted for murder.
and for whom the Governor Of a State had
made requ'sition In regular way, was al.
lowed TO escape. Such blunder Is enough to
warrant an investigation into Judge Humph.
rey's fitness and ability to preside over q
court Of law.