New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-06-01
WESTBROOK EXONERATED.

ALBANY, May 31.-As had been expected the
most dramatic debate of the session toCk place in
the Assembly Chamber to-day, when the Judiciary
Committee presented its several reports the
charges against Judge Westbrook and ex-Attorney-
General Ward An audience had gathered. in ex-
pectation OF the debate that crowded the galleries
and floor In the throng one could see score Of
faces of men prominent in State politics. Members
of the lobby were also conspicuously
present. Frequently during the debate
most of the members Of the Senate
could be seen in the crowd, having left their duties
in the Senate. The Senators were naturally de-
slrOus Of knowing whether they would be required
TO sit a court of impeachment during the sum-
mer, and the Assemblymen voting down resolu-
tion to that effect they quickly coneurred in tho
Assembly resolution for a final adjournment of the
Legislature on Friday next
The Assembly may be said 10 have given mp its
entire day to debating the charges. Mr.. Poucher.
the chairman of the Judiciary Committee. began
reading his report at noon. debate followed,
which lasted until 2 o'clock, ceasing at that
hour only TO recommence at o'clock,
and then lasting until $50 o'clock, when it ended
by the disposal of the reports. The majority report,
exonerating Judge Westbrook, and signed by
Messrs Poucher Smith, Parker, Scarf McCleland
and Potter. received the careful attention OF the
Assembly as it was read Rarely has the Assembly
presented a more impressive appearance. Every
member was listening with obvious interest to the
clear tones of Mr.. Poucher's voice, in deliberate
tones he read the report. remarkable silence pre-
vailed. The minority report. signed by Messrs.
Armstrong and Chamberlain. substantially agreeing
with the majority report, received httie attention.
Mr.. Poucher closed his reading by moving the adop-
tion of the report
The words were scarcely uttered before tall and
slender young man arose to the left of the main
aisle and addressed the Speaker. He held in his
hand roll of foolscap paper and it was whis-
pered about that this was Mr.. Chaplin, who, with
two other members of the Judiciary Committee, IA
vored the impeachment of Judge Westbrook. Mr..
Chaplin was the chairman of the Special Inyesti-
eating Committee of the Assembly that recently In
vestigatcd the acts of the receivers OF
thirteen insolyent life insurance COM
panes. In the course of that investigation
he gained knowledge of Judge WestbrooKs course
in regard to receivershps that was of much advan-
tage to him when the Assembly directed the Judi
ciary Committee to make inquiry into those matters
as we'll as the Manhattan Railway case. Mr.. Chaplin
read his minority report favoring impeachment In
good clear voice and received the close attention OF
the Assembly. Mr.. Chapin's report was also signed
by Mr.. Morrison and Mr.. Livingston, although the
latter recommended impeachment different
grounds
1t was natural that Mr.. Roosevelt, who in
troduced the resolution calling for an investigation
of Judge Westbrooks conduct should have moved
a substitution of Mr. Chapins report for that of Mr.
Poucher. Upon this motion debate followed
which lasted until late in the evening. Mr. Roosc-
velt led off. lie palpably excited, but kept his
excitement under good control the intensity OF his
emotion only showing itself in a slight quaverof
the voice. His earnestness greatly impressed the
Assembly Point by point he expressed his dissent
from the majority report, quoting literally from 1t
and from the testimony taken by the COM
mittee He was followed by Mr.. Raines,
Of Ontario County, with an eiabo-
rate defence of the majority report Mr.
Raines had clearly prepared himsefin advance, aud
made a strong speech. recess was then taken.
Upon reconvening the Assembly first passed Gen.
eral Sharpe's bill making the State Treasurer a
Receiver-eneral for the remaining assets of the
insolvent life insurance companies Dir. sprague.
who began the interrupted debate, artfully avsied
himself of this fact. saying that It seemed TO him
eminently proper that the Assembly should take
measures for the removal of Judge who had made
necessary change in the receivershlp sys'
TEN. lie then analysed the various letter:
written by Judge Westbrook during che trial Oh
the Manhattan Railway suits. ascrIDing Improper
motives to him. He denounced in very severe
terms the Judges conduct and the majority report,
which latter he said of an outrageous character
Mr. Spragme's speech was by far the ablest made IN
criticism of the majority report Mr.. Van Allen fol-
lowed with long speech In favor OF adopting the
majority report, which was listened TO with impa-
tience by members, As a vote was now desired.
vote was then taken on adopting the re-
port i'll favor OF impeachment. IL was quickly
seen that the tide was Overwhelmingly strong
against impeachment. Mr. Alvord predicted that ~
would not receive twenty votes. However, II DID
receive twenty-seveD. As the votes were gwen
several speeches were made Many members said
that they would vote against the motion because
they believed it was safe rule TO adopt the report
of majority of a committee These men had ex,
anned the testimony first hand, II was SAID. aud
ought TO be trusted. This argument undoubtedly
affected many votes. There was complaint aisq'
of lack of knowledge of the testl'
mony Mr.. Hunt. who voted for the mosion.
said that il was evident that someone was respon.
sible for the failure of thousands OF persons tc get
their money back from the bankrupt insurance
companies Mr. Poucher, FRIEND OF judge Vest
brook and member of the Judiciary committee,
offered an apology for tine Judge. The lndges OF the
lid District had been OyerwOrked, he said aud Mr..
Westbrook had had no real rest TOR years The ties.
timony showed that under this pressure he NAG nae
committed some mjudlcous act. lie was satisfied,
however, that the Judge was of pure character
Mr. Haggerty followed with speech that can oe
truly said 10 have thrilled the Assembly lie Is the
most eloquent man in the body at the present tine.
In a tone of voice which closely held the attention
of the Assembly he described his experience az
member of the Chapn Committee that investigated
the receyershps He related with much pathos
the testimony before the committee Of many poor
persons who have lost all their money through the u
n0unced Judge Westbrook for granting these fees:
The minority report rejected by vote OF
q 10 81. The vote was rs follows:
Teas-Bonney. Browne. Clarke, Cock, ". j. Costello,
Crane Edgarton Erwin FeuDer, Gideon, GodarG Green
Haggery, Hunt, Livingston, McDOnougb, Morrison,
Nglutgch ONei r. bb, Roosevelt. SchOouhlager, A. IL.
Sheldon. Southwick, sprIgue, Sullwell WecL-27.
Nays-Ahearn, Alyorl, Andrews, Armstrong, d. II.
Baker c. 2. Baker, Ballard, Beers, Berry
Binnenger, Began, hrecn. Br9dsky. Brooks.
Butts, Campbell, Carley, CsilIn Guam
berlain, Clapp, Cooper }. J. Costello, Cullen.
Dmon Engc, faTar fnller Gorman, 6ond; Green
J. Higgins Kelly Keyes, Lindsay, Tomas, heCsrren.
McC.iland Mcintyre. McNaIus, Maner, Mitchell. 'tOnk.
Moses Murphy, Newman, NoT.hup. NOyes,
o. Brien. Page, Parker. NJ Patten, A. ~ Patterson. PIN
new Potter, PoucIer, Ranes, schrrmerlorn, scott,
se,r snaney Sharpe h. q. Sheehy, j. W. shechy, j. F.
sneidon. sheridan sirp, snntl Sweet, 1ghe Ireadwel.