The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1916-04-28
EDGINGTON AND ESTES
GO BEFORE SENATE
IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS
NOW GOING ON
History OF the Case from First Charge
Printed in Commercial Appeal to
Fixing of Date of Trial by
The State Senate.

On the morning Of January 16, 1916
here was printed in the Commercial
appeal an affidavit sworn and subscri-
ed to by Pete A. Montverde, resident
gent of the Evansville Brewing Asso-
iation. In this affidavit Monteverde
old story Of how Jesse Edgingron.
-. Se.saar- First, criminali coprt of |
ouriYNse serhaps both-you have succe
" aeDy 2e1et-yting my secret, Wha
bribe money from him, in retain II.
which Edgington was to modify Ii
quor injunction secured a few days be.
fore against Monteverde under the
nuisance act.
Monteverde swore that on Sunday
night, June q 1914, Judge Edgington
sent for him, Upon reaching the
judges home, Edgington told him he
had chance to make $1,000. He ex-
planned that Jim Coan, resident agent
of the F, w. Cook Brewing Company,
would pay him $1,000 to modify an in
junction. Monteverde says Edgington
told him he did not want to take the
money from Coan because Coan talked
too much, but he wanted Monteverde
to get it and give it to him.
Thereupon Monteverde told the
judge that he, too, was under an in
junction, and that he was willing to
do as much IS anybody else to secure
relief.
On the following afternoon, which
was Monday, Monteverde went to the
bank and drew check for $1,000.
Jimmie Coan handed him an envelope
containing $1,000 That night Monte
verde went again to Judge Edging-
toms home and delivered to him, so
the affidavit runs, the $1,000.
Judge Edgington told Monteverde
to have his brother, Lawrence Monte
verde, who is lawyer, approve both
the Coan and Monteverde modification
orders, though Lawrence Monteverde
was not Coan's lawyer The following
day these orders were submitted to
Lawrence Monteverde, written in
Edgington's own handwriting, and
they were approved. On June 9th, a
consolidated order was entered in the
minutes modifying the injunctions.
The publication of this affidavit was
nothing short of a sensation.
On Monday morning, January II,
1916, Judge Edgington entered a gen.
eral denial from the criminal court
bench.
On the following morning, Tuesday
January 1S, the lawyers of Memphis
stirred to the core by the charges,
met in general meeting and appointed
a committee of five prominent law
yers-Judge Allen Hughes, George
Harsh, Elmer Holmes, Elias Gates and
Wassell Randolph-to investigate the !
charges.
This committee examined evidence
both for and against. Judge Edging-
ION appeared before it more than once. |
It considered other charges, touching |
both the official and personal conduct
If the judge.
On February 8, after nearly three
weeks investigation, the committee
'eported to the largest meeting of
awyers ever assembled in Memphis
o the one made in the Edgington
ase Meanwhile Estes had been busy
Recommendation similar
hat the charges against Edgington
an investigation by the
ouse Of representatives Of Tcnnes-
ee, sitting as grand inquest. The
awyers adopted the report practical
! without a dissenting vote, and unan-
nously resolved that the committee
equest the governor to call an extra
ession to consider impeachment
harges.
At this same meeting the lawyers