Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1909-1915, 1911-05-05
Frs,
SPEECH Al
BISMARCK,
CHARGES AGAINST IMPEAcHED
$:3I s2E JUDGE ARE FORclBLY PRE-
sENTED BY COUNSEL %, S5... J
.s ss$ FOR STATE. !,

y BISMARCK, N. D., May 1.-The
speech by Attorney Sinkler Saturday
continues to be the one topic of con-
versation. 1t was not until $3.50 p. m.
that the young lawyer concluded.
ny Taking up the first charge, of habi-
tual drunkenness. Mr.. Sinkler pointed
out what the state believes they have
proven with reference to this charge.
He declared that the state did not
claim that John Cowan was drunk, or
Is drunk all the time, but that he has
had the habit Of indulging in intoxicat-
ing liquors to such an extent that his
mentality has been affected, to such an
extent that he has been prevented from
properly administering the high duties
Of his Office. When John F. Cowan ap-
peared in public places drunk and dis
orderly he offended against public de-
scency.
He neglected his duty to cancel drug
store permits. He violated his own in
functional order. He made false certi-
flcates, according to section 1899 of the
revised codes. He delayed cases, not
only from negligence but to benefit
friends and punish enemies. Although
charge eight was stricken out, John
F. Cowan appeared before this court
and proved each and every allegation
of that charge, conducting himself in a
bulldozing, disgraceful manner.
The first charge under habitual
drunkenness relating to the well
known Rugby incident was taken up
by Sinkler. He pointed out that Judge
Cowan in his opening statement said,
II will testify to this matter" At that
time he knew that he would not go on
the stand. He acted In an underhand-
ed way. He did not dare go on the
stand, and give the solemnity of an
oath to his statements. On four DIFF
ferent occasions in the opening state
ment he said ne would take the stand,
but instead he put on such men as A.
J. Minkler to perjure themselves in his
behalf
Referring to the hotel register, which
the prosecution had some difficulty N
getting out of possession of the judge,
Sinkler declared emphatically that the
hotel register, with Judge Cowan's
name written by his drunken hand, is
mute evidence to the fact that on the
night of June II Judge Cowan was
drunk. Touching on the subject of a
Judges appearance on the bench in an
intoxicated condition, Attorney Sink
Ter dealt with this act of Judge Cowan
In scathing terms. He declared that
such actions on the part of judicial
officer were impeachable according to
the dictates of reason, right and JUS
tice. It places in jeopardy the dearest
rights Of the American people, it holds
up the courts to ridicule, it causes the
people to lose respect for law, it acts
as mighty force undermining the
very fabric on which the body polite
rests, for life and liberty.
A Drunken Judge.
"Are you going to tell the people of
this state and the people of other
states, whose eyes are fixed upon you
that a drunken judge is good enough
for North Dakotans, are you going to
say to the people that we, the senate,
the highest representative body of the
people of this great state, are satisfied
to have this man on the bench? It. is
your duty as men to decide this case