Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1911-04-28
NO SESSION IN
C0WAN'S TRIAL
THIS AFTERNOON

HneupS IN court Tor and against Judge
CoWan was had this morning when
Peer StrOmme OF Grand Forks and
Attorney Divitt of Wahpeton were on
the stand.
Mr.. StrOmme was asked with refer
ence to assertions made by F. E. Pack
ad of Valley City last night that he
Stromme, knew of lineups, to which
Stromme replied that at various times
he has seen lists of senators purport-
ing to be probable manner of voting
in the finish, but so far as signing up
is concerned, he knew nothing Of that
nature existing. Stromme at first re-
fused to be sworn by declaring that
proceedings had appeared to him to
be farcical. There was more or less
irrelevant questioning OF witness as to
his own ideas on the question, but so
far as any evidence relating to al
legged corruption upon part of the SEN
ate is concerned, he was unable to
throw any light. During the pro-
gress OF examination he said that it
appeared to him as though there were
two we'll defined camps, one for Cowan
and the other against him. and he sug-
gested Senator Simpson, who inter
rogated as being in one. with Senator
Bessessen in the other, both of whom
he said had taken active part in the
matter.
Mr.. Divitt stated that during the
time the impeachment fight was be-
fore the house. Senator LaMoure OF
Pembina had stated to him that he
would not vote to convict CoWan if
the matter came to the Senate, and
also that conviction would be impos-
sible in view of the complexion of the
senate. AS one Of the reasons given
by LaMoure for not voting against
Cowan. Divitt said LaMoure had stat
ed that Cowan once saved his life.
Last evening F. L. Packard of Val
ey City was questioned with refer
ence to articles published in his paper
relating to settlement of Cowan mat
.er along partisan lines, as we'll as in
situations as to Whitewashing. His
examination resulted in about the
same information-that charge was
BASED upon hearsay and witness own
opinion derived from watching the
ase.
This morning the question of print
ng journals of the investigation ses-
ions was brought up, and was finally
ettled favorable to such publication.
Senator Gunderson wanted to cite
he editor Of the Fargo Courier-NeNs
D appear before the court, while Gar
Ell of Bottineau believed that the
litor of the Fargo Forum should al
D be cited. The motions were tabled
nd no action taken.
At noon the court adjourned until
morning.
Today, just one month from the
ate OF the opening of the John F.
owan impeachment case before the
ate high court of Impeachment, "the
eginning of the end" so long looked
'r, is in sight, and tomorrow morn
lg, when the opening argument for
le prosecution in closing the case is
by Attorney f. r. Sink
r, the final act in the dramatic trial
i'll be staged, although there will be
Shift of characters four times be-
re counsel for the board of man.
gers and the respondent finally rest
I'd leave with the court the verdict
whether or not john Cowan is,l gull.
of any of the everal charges that
e lodged against him and on which
has been tried during the last
irty days.
1t is. doubtful if any week in the
story of the impeachment case has
en- so full of interest as has the
esent. Every day since Tuesday,
len the rebuttal- of the prosecution
Is commenced, there have been new
nsatiOns sprung, and so far as the
tel lObbies and capitol corridors are
ncerned, the excitement and inter.
has undoubtedly been at greater
ch than at any other time since
lrch %.
The closing arguments in this case
fair to be tremendously interest
, at every stage. The bitterness
It has been so evident throughout
, trial cannot but be reflected in the
,uments that are just about to be
but just how far the
posing counsel will go in this or
It direction remains to be seen.
That the defense will continue it's
;ition that the entire case is the
come Of bitter factional war in
wills Lake is certain, and it is in
ling with that feature of the Ques-
I that the most interesting portion
the arguments will be reached.
2 prosecution, of course, will not
erlook this question either, and
|btless will have something to say
the proposition of alleged witness
lpering, aired from time to time
ce the court convened and the
ing of evidence was commenced.
City is Well Filled.
wen now, with the time for using
nesses passed. the city is crowded
h visitors who will remain till the
Sc of the case. These include the
i've partisans in the case to a very
&c extent, although there may also
at the same time those here who
re no personal interest in the out
ne either one way or the other For
most part. however, it must be
nitted that those in the city ex-
ssly for the Cowan case have
rked prejudices.