Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1911-04-13
JUDGE C0WAN Presented
HIS CASE TO THE SENATE
At THE MORNING SESSION
Makes Explanation of Many Charges Brought
Against Him
Has Fun With 'Dribbling'' Incident and
Scott Rex


he made the central figure in the
North Dakota the northwest has known Judge
John F. Cowan, trial before the articles Of inn
peacnent presented by representatives had opport
W of defending himself against horrible charges of drunkenness
crimes corrupt nalfeasance and nonfeasane in office that
lodged against him. This opportunity this morning when
he the statement of the theory which the defense
will be based and for nearly three hours he held the rap attention
of that court and crowded galleries and foyers.
is of ordinary he ad but in which
strictly and purely criminal in every sense he sa and 50
nzd by all thoroughly familiar and who are recognized
far removed days opinion
this the first and the last case North Dakota will ever have pre-
pie Of the state would rise and demand change in the constitution
eliminating the procedure
Nnetynine every mpeacnents po
cal and such is the here He peacd
by COOL ca deberatve body grand jury should be- he
was carried from its feet by carefully manufactured indignation
meetings in four points by preconceived motives His
lie sentiment which he said being worked the ef
fort convict much the that aroused the
previous occasion would be allowed stand the of justice
On question Of why he should fight the case often asked
of him. declared that fight for his honor for his
wife his two boys and his two girls, and for their sake he would
fight the ditch No what may be the result
trial, he will believe himself always in the right
1 have faith in the senate said Cowan and will ask you to
judge men, laying aside personal prejudice personal spite
The charge habta drunkenness passed over
% 1a 5 ss oF % % ndsr the to stond that
numbering eighteen which he haracerzed andad dr'mks" fol
lowing with "unSpeChed drunks.
The charge that he had been intoxicated Rugby June 49, 1909
would be met with evidence showing that the witnesses testyng
for the prosecution mistaken Prosecution
drunk that day. both in the hotel the streets and in the
courtroom Evidence for the defense would show that he had
tired his the evening BEFORE being exceedingly hot that he
upon many hours hearing groans from another
and investigating and finding friend who ill., for whom
he had called physician and with whom he remained the of
and holding court This the affair testified to by Rex and
Campbell.
The charge that he had slept the would
proved by evidence showing that habit with him sit for
long periods in with his eyes closed purpose
resting them He admitted that there had been times when
eved the senate would admit that there had been povocaon
fore him.
On the charge that he had been during the trial of he Slav
Rugby during January 190 he said witnesses would
be produced who would efute such evidence without
ton one of the witnesses to be called being who had
throughout the trial. This he said the leaders
North Dakoa w. T. U whose word the court must p1ace
every reliance
On opening this afternoon only witness who
James Fitzgerald, whom he characterized
ing of this John Gordon, proprietor of
poenaed by the he said and he
give evidence for
As the seventeenth CHARGE that
% as soy. . Jun, % ~ 9, ""eh ne prosecution did not touch and
which he himself took occasion to explain he declared that the whole charge
made Of the fact that after session continuing
O'Clock night h with several Others had with
to his ROOM the clerks, and had each taken of BEER
HANSBORO INCIDENT
The anoro incident prominent in the of the
dealt with length This CHARGE he said
incident With of about eight friends Cown said
left Roa for point Canada by of Hansoro; that when
about miles from Hnoro Of the they
laid there several hours While there had engaged
wrestling match, and in that scufe his shirt had been
that worthless In the they arrived Hansbo
purchase of shirt made, but the change
He disputed the
that his Practically of
patty d placed the When the party left Roua
said that probable bottles of beer conm
well some but that there was no beer the party at the time
testified to by Clifford