The producers news., 1927-04-01
STEWART is IMPEACHED

Continued from page One)
ena who watched the fate of their
gray haired fellow citizen, were the
bright colors of the millinery of the
ladies of the capital city, who are
reputed to be the best dressed women
in the state. The addresses Of the
counsel on both sides were listened
to with intense interest by the well
crowded mass of humanity in the
Senate chamber.
Stewart Denies Charges
The testimony of Secretary of
SState Stewart was the most inter-
esting in the trial. He denied the
sworn statements of the insurance
agents who appeared for the prose-
cution catagorically. He stated that
he never took a cent from any agent
during his term of office
After the state rested Tuesday eve
ming the defense called Williams and
Burton, special insurance agents, and
Rep. Moss of Kalispell to the wit
ness stand. The special agents told
the court that they testified against
Stewart after Moss visited San Fran
cisco and conferred with the officers
of their companies and they were or
dered to do So This evidence threw
a strange light on the methods en-
ployed to get evidence against the
accused.
State Makes Plea
Representative Moss was the first
to make the plea to the court for
the Board of Managers this morning.
lie spoke generally on the duty of
the House to act in a case Of this
kind and the duty of the Senate to
convict, if that body thought the evil
dence presented justified such a
course. Representative Dellwo fol-
lowed and made an able and convinc-
ing plea for conviction. Dellwo, who
IS one of the most outstanding pro
9ressives in the House, made what
was regarded by all who heard him
the ablest speech of the trial. Rep.
Falchenhar followed and gave the
law in the case. He denounced
Stewart and characterized him as a
man who was unfit to hold the high
offlce to which he had been elected
by the people of the state.
Ford Opens For Defense
The fireworks started when Ford
opened for the defense and denounced
the special agents who testified
against Stewart in the language re-
ported at the beginning of this story.
lie said that these agents took the
money that they should have given
the local agents and then blamed il
on Stewart and to hide their own
cheating. In an impassioned plea
Ford attacked Davis, Grant Reed and
other members of the house for tax
ing office after they were forbidden
to do so by the constitution. He
charged that Bricker was in Helena
five days making propaganda against
MS cllent He asked why the Board
OF Managers had not pried into the
action of Dixon, Erickson and others
who were on the board of examiners
when the alleged unlawful acts of
Stewart had been committed. He
charged that members of the House
mad written insurance and got awav
with the profits. Referring to the fact
That Moss had published the consti-
tutonal amendment in his paper and
received pay for same from the Sec
retary of State, Ford remarked:
People in glass houses should not
throw stones" Abiding to Dixon he
sad that the Board of Managers had
taken extraordinary care not to in
volve him. Ford's speech was full of
fire and invective and made a big
impression.
Burns Replies
Rep. Harry Burns replied for the
state. He resented the characteriza-
ton of the special agents by Ford as
rats and wretches' who were swear
ing away the honor of Stewart. He
closed an able address at 2:3O. Lev
lit concluded the case for the state
by appealing to the court to con-
vlct. He said the eyes of the state
were on the trial and the coming
generation would look back with
pride or sorrow on the decision of the
important body he was addressing.
Attorney Hurd started in to make an
lmpassioned plea for his gray haired
client who had served the state so
long and faithfully and whose repu-
tatlon was at stake that day. Hurd's
voice broke down and the Court of
impeachment had to take a recess.
He started again after he had broke
down In the course of an emotional
plea for the defense. The closing
arguments of Burns and Levitt for
the defense were able.
1t was late Wednesday afternoon
When the case went to the court for
decision.
Tribune Cited for Contempt
The Great Falls Tribune was cited
Tor contempt and the Sergeant at
arms was instructed to bring w. M
Bole, Editor; L. Dehil, Business Man
ager; and 0. S. Warden, Manager
before the assembly. The state press