The daily gazette., 1879-01-14
SECOND. EDITION
THE STATE CAPITAL.

The Charges against Col. Fisk Touns-
end, Clerk of the Peace for SUSSEX
,County-W What the Members on both
Slider of the Fence say. m
- ecial Correspondence Of the Gazette.
DOVER, DEL, Jan. 14.--The Legisla-
ture re-assem bled yesterday at O'CLOCK.
In the Senate but little was done. As
anticipated in my letter yesterday, a
committee of five from the House and
three from the Senate was appointed to
make arrangements for the coming in
auguration of Governor-elect Hall.
The most startling matter that has
come before the Delaware Legislature
for many a day was broachsd in the
House, when Representative Cannon
presented a resolution asking for the ap-
continent of joint committee to exaIn-
inc the charges of immortality and neglect
of official duties, brought against Colonel
William Fisk Townsend, the Clerk Of
the Peace for Sussex county. Though
the matter was expected to come up
during the first part of the session, 1t was
not thought that it would be presented
so soon. The charges against Col.
Townsend are more real than pleasant.
int the fact that the motion to lay the
resolution on the table till Friday, is said
by members In his favor, to have pre-
vailed, though the fact that most of the
me mbeB who voted first, were not in
formed on certain phases Of the case.
Some of the Representatives from Sussex
are indignant, 81 would not have my vote
reco rded an In favor OF the matter being
taken up at once for any thing" re-
marked one of them to me, as the House
|adjourned. at will cause perfect howl
through Sussex county," said another.
Another member of the House also from
Sussex, says that it is simply plan to
get Col. Townsend out of office before
Governor Cochran's term expires, and
have a certain Georgetown man ap-
pointed. I..- .-......l ..
However this is but one side of
the question:. Those wha are in
favor of the proposed investigation
are chiefly those who either recon-
mended Col. Townsend for the office,
or are on his bond. They say that the
action is necessary and that they bring
the charges against their inclination,
even if not against their sense of right
and Justice, that is they were forced to
this procedure. lido not think the fail
ure of the motion to lay the resolution on
the table to prevail is due to any desire
on the part of those who are forcing the
matter TO get a "swap Judgment" on
Col. Townsend. He was given notice a
week ago to prepare to meet the charge
aud was given plainly to understand
that he would be tried at the present
session.
| Acting on this notice, he has made
some preparations to meet the charge
and has employed Col. VIM. G. Whiteley
of w ilmington, and John II. Paynter,
Esq, of Sussex county, as his COUNSEL
1t is said that he has also secured the
service of Jacob Moore, ESQ. tits but fair
to Mr.. To wnsend to say that his accounts
up to his last settlement with the State
| Treasurer were straight, 1t Is thought
there is nothing in his accounts that
would warrant an impeachmen. But
the charges do not refer to crookedness
| of accounts. The main cause OF COM
! plaint Is intemperance which has incapa-
ctated him for duty and caused him to
he absent from his office for whole days
| alta time. '-
last night the committee which was
apppinted in accordance with Mr.. Can
non's resolution was In session up TO
$3.50 O'Clock. What they did was simply
of a pre- paratory nature. They decided
mon the wi illnesses to be summoned and
made other arrangements. Among the
witnesses that have been summoned are
such prominent Sussex countians as Jas
II. ChaptfFsn, Jos! 4. Adams, Nan III
Wheatley Hiram T. Downing, Sheriff,
and John r. McFee. The committee
have also decided to make strenuous eff
forts to secure the servi ces of Attorney
General Pennington as prosecuting at.
torney in the case. lF Z. r.Ha'.
This will add much more than passing
Interest to the affa and the likelihood IL
that with such men as NJ essrs. Whiteley
IPaynter and NJ oore for the defence anc
the Attorney General for the prose
cution, there will be an unusually ex
citing contest The committee will NEE
again at o o'clock to-day. Probably thu
,hearing of testimony will commence to
morrow.
Rumors conflicting with rumors art
rife. There has been some speculation Il
the effect that Col. Townsend will resigl
, before the trial commences but thli
r should only pass for what 1t is worth
and that is not much. Late last night al
: on dit was going about that an attemp
, woald be made in the House to conslde
the resolution. If this meets with sue
: cess the matter will be postponed for
n few days; if not Col. Townsend will b
notified TO be at Dover to meet the CON
mittee on Investigation at II o'clock ol
Wednesday. 1t is without parable
y Nothing el,e is talked OF.
= THE INAUGURATION.
q A meeting of the joint inauguratie
q committee and committee of the cit
zens of Dover was held last night.
= was decided to invite all the officers {
e Wilmington to attend the affair and ais