The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1927-03-25
Impeachment Trial OF
Stewart On At Helena
Begins Monday Noon Before State Senate-Rules
Are Made Charges Stated-Answer Filed By At
torney Geo. E. Hurd-Insurance Agents Tell OF
Paying Stewart Big Commissions In Cash.

Nie1i 100 StCNd oCtl CtoiS VI
state since 1917, went on trial be-
ore the Montana senate Monday
noon at Helena. He was impeacbed
March 3 by the house of repre-
sentatives for alleged irregulari-
ties in the conduct of his Office. A
special senate committee Sunday
completed a set of rules under
which the trial will be conducted.
The rules generally follow those
used by the 18th session, in the
trial of District Judge Charles l..
Crum, who was convicted of un-
patriotic utterances.
Stewards answer was filed Mon
day as the first procedure. He
will be represented by G. E. Hurd
of Great Falls. The prosecution
is in the hands of board of
managers for the house, including
Representatives G. NJ Moss, chair
man; D. A. Dellwo, H. L. Burns,
w. R. Flachhnsar and w. B. Lea
witt
A.
state insurance, publication of con-
stitutional amendments and en-
ployment of his son.
The charges allege that Stewart
profited personally in distribution
of state insurance, that he exceed
ed his authority in publication of
constitutional amendments, that he
juggled funds of the department,
that he employed his son at an
exhorbitant wage, that he failed
to keep records of the board of ex-
aminers and that he used his Of
fee to procure pecuniary gain and
favor for himself and members of
his family
Stewart has been elected to the
office three times, each time by
a wide margin over his opponent.
He has been mentioned often as
a candidate for governor. He is
married and has one grown son,
nova resident of Washington, d.
G.
So, 500 IN Cash
Helena, March 22-There was
paid in cash to Charles T. Ste
wart, then secretary of state of
Montana, during 1923, S1,0S420, and
in 1925, 81, ,43466, as the commits
sions on policies written to insure
state property, the senate court of
impeachment told Tuesday by three
special insurance agents, Tom E.
Atherstone of Spokane, M. l.. Will
liams of Butte and Fl. G. Burton
of Butte.
In addition, one insurance man,
L. C. Henry of Helena, testified that
he paid Mr. Stewart $3.50 in cash as
a brokerage fee on state policy |
The testimony of the special
agents provided something of a |
sensation in Tuesdays proceedings |
against Mr. Stewart, who went on |
trial Monday noon upon charges
preferred by the house of repre-
sentatives on March 3.
Over the objection of defense
counsel, who alleged that all the
matters. therein could be stipulated,
the house managers were allowed
to introduce in evidence II claims
and accompanying state warrants
in payment thereof, representing
charges for state insurance in 1928
and 1926.
George E. Hurd, chief defense
counsel, Tuesday morning made an
offer to stipulate certain matters
relative to documentary evidence
with the explanation that it was
desired to shorten the time OF the
trial. With this offer, he outlined
the defense program, indicating i,
that it would be shown that MIR.
Stewart acted, in publication OF
constitutional amendments, with
advice of the attorney generals
office: that the distribution of state
insurance involved nothing irregu-
lar. and that certain of the charges
against Mr.. Stewart were the re- s
suit of disappointment of an agent
who have not received as much I
business last year as he did at
the prior distribution; that salary /
raises. to which objection has been
made. were authorized by the board a
of examiners and that the employ s
uent of Edgar Stewart was in pur a
suance to direction of the state +
n
In explanation of their agree a
ment to write insurance for Mr..
Stewart, the special agents Tues
fay said Mr.. Stewart was the own
sr of the W. NJ. Biggs company
and that the company was local l
lgent for their concerns. Mr. Ste
vart explained to them, they said, Il
hat it was not advisable for him .
o write the insurance directly be- =
;ause it might cause comment II
lmong his political opponents and L
,ther agents in the state who might Of
consider they should have the busi- W
less. Each said that Mr. Stewart | n
lad asked specifically that the :;
be paid him in cash
Tells of Payment IL
Tom E. Atherstone of Spokane c.
Continued on last page) a,