Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1909-1915, 1911-02-17
INYESTlGAT TING COM
!: !: !: :. !. \ NIT TEE. AT WORK
-. ON RECORD OF
g. :. JUDGE ] OF THIS
DISTRICT.
PROMINENT CITIZENS WILL TEs.
TlFY As TO uNFlTNEss FOR
III. re-. 7-.,,. OFFICE.

Below will be found the charges
brought against Judge Cowan by a
committee of local citizens. The res
olution to investigate and appoint a
committee has passed the House and
the committee is now at work in Bis
marck taking testimony. Many pro-
minent local citizens will go on the
stand to testify as to Judge Cowan's
unfitness for Office, as high as forty
being snbpoenead from Ramsey coun-
ty. Judge Cowan tried to stop the in
vestigation, moving heaven and earth
at the capitol to get through vote to
reconsider, but failed and his action
in trying to prevent the truth being
known has caused q strong presump-
ton that he is guilty. ,Jud LaMoure
and all the old machine politicians
pulled every political wire available
to smother the investigation and Cow
an fought practically all night long
IN the attempt to line up a majority
Of the house. On q close vote the mo-
tion to reconsider was killed. '%,z<z
(: PETITION TO LEGISLATURE, .:s + !.
The undersigned, citizens and cleo
tors OF the Second judicial District
q the State of North Dakota DO IA
spec ctfhIy represent and show to the
members Of the legislature and It's re.
spectiVe committees: - n, 81, 49, u: !, Il:
That the Hon. John F. Cowan Is, and
for more than eight years has been,
the duly elected and qualified judge of
the District Courts of the said Second
Judicial District. - = Il i |.-
That in his administration Of the af-
fairs of his said Office, and in his daily
life as a, citizen, he has for more than
six years past brought reproach upon
the fair name Of the state, caused the
court over which he presides to loose
the respect of the citizens, and the ad-
ninistration Of Justice to fall into dis
repute..Se. ~ r I'D. VI ~.,--.:.: = ;.
To the end that you may be the bet
ter informed we do hereby formally
advise you that for more than six
years the said John F. Cowan has been
guilty OF the following misconduct lay
Ing him liable to impeachment at your
hands. - - : --. ,~-,-,
First-During all of said period he
has been an habitual drunkard, which
habitual drunkenness is evidenced by
the following general facts:
ss(a) During all Of said period he has
at regularly occurring and frequent in.
teryals been actually under the, influ-
ence OF liquor to the extent that he did
mot have control Of his mental facnl-
ties and physical powers. ,,s,. :.
@ During all Of said time his peri:
ods OF intoxication have: been 30 fire.
quent and protracted as to materially
Interfere with the performance Of the
ordinary duties incident to his said sHId
once. u. i. DE +. =. z. d
fc) During all OF said time his ap-
petite for intoxicants has been such
that II was beyond his controy and he
has been, and now Is unable 70 resist
the temptation i to take toxicants
whenever the same are procrlTab
(d) That during all Of said time,
and more especially during the three
+ years last past, for the purpose Of gra,
:tifying his appetite for intoxicants, he hse,
has at frequent Intervals and with ha,
: bitual regularity, patronized within
\ the said Judicial District and other
parts Of the state, places where intox'
!: icating liquors were being sold con.
trary. to law, and there bought and
drank intoxicating liquors and became
drunk thereon. s :,:sSS !:
(e) That on numerous occasionf
4 during said 4 time he has appeared
{ drunk Ii public places, and has IN pub
\ lic engaged In drunken. unaeemly and
ungentl len1anly braWls, quarrels and
controversie
:E -