The Washington herald., 1922-03-09
MONCURE BRANDS
DIVORCE CHARGES
FALSE AT HEARING
Judge Raps Critics and
Defends Mrs. Baggett
On Stand.
THE HERALD BUREAU.

a. -. BOulpunn,
~ King street.
ALEXANDRIA. Va, March a.
Branding the charges made against
him as false, Judge Robinson Mon
cure. of the Corporation Court.
whose conduct in regard to divorces
here Is being Investigated by a
special committee Of the bar. COM
pleted his second days testimony
on the witness stand. The judge
for six hours Was testifying and
when the committee adjourned at s
O'Clock this evening to resume its
probe Friday morning. he stated he
would again take the stand to
finish up certain testimony he de-
sires- 70 give.
A complete statement Of how di-
vorces are obtained here was made
by the Judge. and he said that
while a member of the legislature
he procured the passage Aof a bill
requiring that the defendant in the
! suit be notified by registered mail.
the old law only requiring order
of publication in a local paper.
In-regard to Mrs. Mary l. Bag
gett. rooming house keeper.
whose name has been prominently
mentioned in connection with hav-
ing many people getting divorces
domiciled with her, the judge said
he had always found her honest
and truthful II II develops at the
grand jury Investigation she has
done wrong and is indicted, he said
he would ask some other judge TO
sit In the case. He said he did not
think anyone occupying judicial
position should charge her with a
crime.
The Judge told of discussing the
question with Mrs. Baggett Of per@
sons rooming at her house, and she
informed him she did not testify
where they did pot stop at her
place. and that she would not. No.
n single divorce case granted named
by Frank Stuart. an attorney for
a Washington newspaper. he de-
Clared. shows any irregularity. and
he added in reply to a question Of
his counsel. John S. Barbour, that
he had never issued a divorce de-
cree on the unsupported testimony
of a single person with a resident
witness testi6ying. so far as Ec
could recollect. The Judge declared
that "the hy-up-the-creek element
of ministers, lawyers and public
will crIticise, no matter what you
do"
In Virginia. the judge said. there
are five or six grounds TOR divorces
and in the District Of Columbia
there is only one, that being adul-
terry. The great bulk of the cases,
ne said, come from Washington. I'D
these people comply with the law.
He suggested that Washington peO-
,ple clean their own city before they
begin in Alexandria
Regarding the charge made rela-
tive to his lack Of qualifications
for the officc. the Judge declared 1t
hardly was necessary to make a
reply to this charge, telling of how
he was appointed first to NIL the
office to succeed Judge L. c. Bar
ley, resigned.
According to a report submitted
by DR.. l. z. Foulke. city health
officer. there was an unusually low
death rate in this city during the
past month. The total number of
disease cases also was very low
There were only forty-six cases re-
ported. and in February. 1921. there
were 125 cases. and in February.
1920. there were 15S cases. The
extra low disease rate, he says, Is
partially accounted for by the won
derful freedom from children's
diseases. This also can be ac-
counted for. he says, by the care
full yatch kept over the children
in the public schools. No cases of
diphtheria or scarlet fever were
reported or found within the city
during the month. he says.
The body of a drowned coIored
man was found this morning on the
river bank about a quarter Of a
mile north of the city limits. Chief
Of Police Goods notified the wash
ington authorities, and the barber
police boat came from that city
and took the body to the District
morgue. The man was apparently
45 years old. 165 pounds, feet Z
inches and wore a navy coat bear
ing the name L. A. Davis.
All arrangements have been COM
pIeted by Columbia Engine and
Motor Company No. for a banquet
which will be served tomorrow
night at the rompany's house in
observance Of its ffty-third ami
vcrsary. Norman Roberts. presi-
dent of the company. will be toast
master
Mrs. Mary Stuart. mother OF Mrs
". r. Stuart. of 51S South wash
inEton street, died Monday in
Iohnstown. Pa. and was buried this
afternoon in Darkesville. W. Va.
News has been received here Of
the death In Baltimore Of Mrs. Clara
V. Henderson. former resident
and daughter af Capt. Matthew Kcr-
sew. Her husband and three chill