The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-02-28

Ing adopted. Mr.. Hanson of Barnes
was IN the chair during the unusual
procedure.
With the adoption of Prices motion
Mr. Jordal took position in front of
chief clerks desk and began a long
recital OF the evidence as secured by
the committee during its hearing. In
opening Mr.. Jordal stated that there
mad been a very large amount of evil
dence submitted that was immaterial.
This was true as to the opinions on
Judge Cowan's temperament, but in
the opinion Of the committee judicial
temperament was unimpeachable un-
less 1t was shown that such temper
ment would enter into and prevent
the discharge Of his duties as Judge.
He then took up each one of the
witnesses in the order they had ap-
peared before the committee, showing
the evidence introduced and indicat-
Ing here and there the bearing such
evidence had upon the charges laid
for impeachment.
| Attorneys Evidence.
The evidence submitted by the at.
torneys was largely upon the delay
In deciding cases. Judge Corliss, the
flrst witness. had expressed the opin-
ion to the committee that the condi-
tions in the Second judicial district
were generally bad but opinion. Mr.
Jordal stated could not be made the
basis of impeachment, as it is not q
state of facts. The evidence by Attor.
ney Traynor' was to the effect that
Judge Cowan had been drunk on the
bench in the trial of the Michals
blind pig case, and that he had been
intoxicated while on the bench in Min.
newaukan. In the latter statement
Traynor had modified his evidence
but stating that he was not certain
that Cowan had been intoxicated al
Minnewaukan but that he had been
asleep.
The evidence of A. H. Reade, D. C
Greenleaf, c. NJ. Cooley, Arthur LIE.
Seuer, F. T. Cathbert, c. w. Butts and
F. P. Mann was then taken up.
Mr.. Mann had given testimony tc
the committee to the effect that in 8
certain session of court outside oi
Devils Lake when blindpig case wat
to be tried that the sheriff had come
into the court room and declared
when the case was about to be started
that the Judge and court officials hat
drunk the evidence. Chairman Jorda
stated that several witnesses had tes
titled to this same occurrence but NJ
one witness could give the committee
the date of the supposed event mol
the place at which it was alleged tt
have occurred.
Mr.. Cowan's explanation of thi.
charge. Jordal stated, was that thu
only foundation he could find for sucf
charge was that once while he wal
attorney general that he had beer
called to Darlington to prosecute {
blindpig case. 1t was admitted tina,
during the day previous to the tria
of case that there had been genera
good time but that the next day or
the intimation of the attorney for the
defendant that the prisoner nigh,
plead guilty, continuance Of one day
had been granted. The day following
another continuance was asked, but
Cowan says he refused to grant such
continuance, at which point the sherif
came into the court room and statet
that the evidence had been drunk ant
that they were waiting for the next
500 train to come in that some more
evidence might be secured. Mr.
Mann's concluding statement to the
committee had been:
II stand for decency; Judge CowaI
the opposition. would not have an.
of my cases tried before him."
Frank Frye, as a witness before
committee. would not state under
oath that he had seen Cowan under
the influence of liquor on the bench
but that he had seen him asleep or
the bench. Frye also made reference
to intoxication upon the part of Judge
Cowan on election day last November
Drug Stores Frequented.
John Vanlieu, another witness. hat
testified at length upon Cowan's fire.
quenting Of certain drug stores ir
Devils Lake. The general reputation
of the several drug stores in the city
Vanlieu declared. was that liquor
could be bought. On the question o.
the drug stores. the committee hat
been careful to make thorough In
quiry as to the general conditions. II
was the contention Of many that go
ing into one of certain number O