The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1805-04-26
IMPEACHMENT OF JUDGE CHASE.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 60.
(Confiu4eA.)
JUDGE WINCHESTER, Avoru.

JUDGE WINCiiESI TER, E1Uoru.
Mr. HARPER: Pleaic, Sir, to fate TO this
court your recollection refpetting charge de-
Iivered by Judge Chafe in the circuit court of
Maryland in May 1908.
Mr.. Hinrbefer. AS already ftated, the court
tat IN May 1908, in room in Evanss tavern.
The court and gentlemen of the bar fat
round teveral dining tables Fat on the
left OF Judge Chafe and the jury were on his
right. He addrefied charge 70 them, the be-
ginning of which was in the ufual hyle of fuoh
addreties. He then commenced, what has been
called the political part of the charge, with
fome general obiervations on the nature of 60
vernment. He afterwards adverted to two
meafurcs of the Legislature Of Maryland the
iir related TO an alteration of the contribution
on the fublett of fuffrage the other contem-
plated an alteration in the judiciary. He COM
nented on the injurious tendency of the prin-
ciple ofuniverfal outrage, and deprecated the e.
vii effects If was likely to have. Incidental to
theft remarks, he adverted to the repeal of the
Judiciary law of the United States. ] fay Incl
dental, for my imprefion was that his obie9
was to 'hew the dangerous consequences that
would refult to the people of Maryland from \
repeal of their Judiciary fyfem, and to thew
that as the act of Congress had inflicted vo-
lent b!0w on the independence of the federal
Judiciary IT was more neceflary for the fate of
Maryland to preferve their judiciary perfectly
independent. / was very attentive to the
charge for feveral reafons. I regretted il as
imprudent. felt convinced that it would be
complained of; and am very confident from
! my recollection, and from the publications ref
Pecfing it, which / afterwards perufed, that
all the political obfervations of the Judge reIa-
ted to the fate of Maryland.
Mr.. Harper. Did the Judge appear to deli
yer the charge from written paper.
II. | have fet in the circuit court ever fince
18oo-Judee Chafe has a kind of Handing form
IN his charges on the general fubiect of crimes
and offences. When there is much bulinefs ex-
pected 10 be tranfacted he goes into detailed
view ofthe duties of a grand Jury. When there
is little bulnes he contents hin,elf with charge
of different form. Wien he delivered this
charge, he had in his hand a marble covered
book.
mr.. H0rber. Chewing him book1 Do Won
! think this was the book
| Mr.. UMebeRcr. ! believe it was. There
were occalonal pauiss during the delivery he
| turned backwards and forwards and read fec
tons from different parts Of the book. At the
concIuion of particular fentences he lengtben-
ed out the tones of his voice, and made paufe.
as if to arren the attention of the Jury, Though
] cannot fay that there was not word or ex-
preilion introduced that was not written, vet nv
! impreliion is that he delivered the whole from
the book before him.
| Mr.. Harper. Did you hear any exprefIions
applied to the prefent administration, or was
/ the administration mentioned at all?
! n. MY imprcfiion is very ftrong that neither
/ the preient administration was mentioned. or
the views or deigns OF airy member Of il in any
manner whatever. ] am confident of this be-
caufe If iuch remarks had been uttered. they
world have made ifrong impreaion on my
mind.
! Mr.. HorPer. Did you ever hear the Judge
allude TO fuch topics in his charges.
! H. never beard judge Chafe in any of his
charges reflect on any administration. have
heard great many charges of his, containing
political matter, and they have been IN rather
caiculsted TO iuoport the exiting Administration.
mr.. Horfcr. Have you beard any iince 1900 :
H. recol'eGt no political charge delivered by
him fnce that time.
Mr.. HARPER. Was the general tenor of his
charges iince and before 1900 calculated TO Cop-
port the Iaws'