The Washington herald., 1914-05-23
q
LAWYERS DIFFER
in WRIGHT Case
Merrillat Insists Ambrose
Said Judge Was Cool
to Him.
REFER TO DIVORCE.
Former Cashier Of United States
Savings Bank Identifies
Numerous Papers.
REFER TO DIVORCE

Disagreement among attorneys A. 10
material facts featured yesterdays ses-
sion OF the House Committee investi-
eating the impeachment charges against
Justice Daniel Thew Wright
Attorney Charles II. Merrilat testified
1 that Attorney William Earle Ambrose
| had told him In Ambrose's ONCE that
Judge Wright had urged him to continue
as counsel for Mrs. Rauscher In her
divorce case after he had decided to
| withdraw Attorney Ambrose Mter de-
MED this Then Mr.. Merrilat was re-
called and his attention was directed to
Ambrose's denial. He dismissed the point
with the reply that 1t was merely a case
Of variance In memory between him and
Mr.. Ambrose.
Ambrose told me-" testified Meriiiat.
"of a coolness between himself and
Judge Wright Ambrose said he became
satisfied that the evidence in the case
was a frame-up.' He said he would not
stand for this, and retired.
Ambrose said he told Judge Wright
he was going to get out Of the case be-
cause the testimony was crooked. He
said the Judge urged him to continue
in the case. but he refused. and q cool
ness had arisen. Ambrose said he told
Judge Wright then that that woman
hanging around your private rooms 20
much will get you into trouble
Urged Him to Continue.
Ambrose said he had never stayed
in a case where he thought the testi-
mony was crooked, and that he believed
this to be true in the Rauscher case"
Chairman Mccoy dsked u the rela-
tions Of the witness with Ambrose and
Judge Wright were still friendly. and
received an Affirmative reply.
Mr.. Merillat testified he was attending
In 20 laCol rnaffara for Apnhr0aa
the time.
Attorney Darlington, on cross-exami-
nation, asked II II were possible that
Merillat had confused the conversation
with Attorney Easby-Smith. The wit
ness said not.
DO you know anything Of any rela-
tions between Judge Wright and Mrs.
Nothing whatever" responded Mr..
Merillat.
When Mr.. Ambrose was called. At
torney Darlington asked:
Did Judge Wright at any time urge |
you to continue as counsel for Mrs.
Rauscher?
mo" 4
You heard Mr.. Merillat's testimony?
What about it?" r.. |
II have no positive recollection Of that |
conversation. I have no doubt I COM
mented upon Mrs. Rauscher at the time. |
but have no recollection of saying that |
Judge Wright urged me to stay in the |
case"
DO you deny that you said to Mr.. |
Mer1llst that there was q coolness be-
tween you and Judge Wright because |
of that" asked Congressman Nelson.
Il positively deny that said to him |
the coolness was over the Rauscher |
case"
did you ever say to Mr.. Merillat that
the Rauscher case was a frame-up based
on perjured testimony and that was
why you got out?"
Il said that to nearly everybody"
But not to Judge Wright?''
mo"
Have you any recollection of saying
to Mr.. Merillat that Judge Wright urged
you to stay in the case?'
Fails to RecoIIect.
st have no such recollection"
yet you deny some statements made
recollection Of this part OF the CONVEX I
sation?"
Yes"
MI Darlington asked Mr.. Ambrose 20
ietail the GOODNESS between himself and
Judge Wright.
Mr. Ambrose said the GOODNESS really
started over his overdraft in the United
states savings Bank, ABOUT Wnicn ne
previously testified. After that time, he
said, the relations between the two were
not so intimate.
He explained that further disagreement
had arisen at a luncheon at the Raleigh,
when Judge Wright asked him for the
particulars about a loan Mr.. Ambrose
,aid he had made "for member Of
Judge wright's family"
Judge Wright found out about the +,
oan some time afterward. I was in
,trumental in obtaining 1t. At the Ra- !
eigh luncheon he asked me about the
natter, but declined to tell him on the
ground that the matter was one be-
ween counsel and client, and could
lot be divulged. Judge Wright became
ncensed and said I owed 1t to him as {
close friend to tell him. The argu- |
nent was bitter and it was during the |
bitterness Of this quarrel that Judge ,
Wright asked me II had been offer |
ID $500 in the Rauscher case. I said /
I was q lie, and I never spoke to Judge I
Wright for months afterward, nor he !
o me- Ii
Judge Wright took up this matter 4,
because of your making a loan for q !
member Of his family without consult c