Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1830-05-12
CASE OF JUDGE PECK.

CASE OF JUDGE PECK.
! On Tuesday, the 9TH INST. the Senate OF
the United States resolved itself, on mo-
ton OF Mr.. Tazewel, into High Court
Of Im2eachments, and Mr.. Buchanan oil
PENNSYLVANIA. Chairman of the managers
OF the House of Representatives to conduct
the Trial, appeared at their bar, and IN the
name of ali the people of the United States
.mDeached James H. Peck, Of Missouri,
of Inch mlsdeneanors IN office.
The exercise Of this power IS one oil the
greatest and moss solemn preTogatlves OF
! he Senate. II has also been the most
rarely used. Since the foundation of the
government there have been but three or
four instances # mai-conduct in office,
calling for the lnterpo@uou tthls tribunal
As there IS much:. Gun oslty expressed 10
learn distinctly, The MAI ure OF this case
which has required such an extraordinary
and imposing a spectacle, as The arraIg
ment of an u. 5. Judge before The 5Fa+d
inquest of the nation, by tho representa-
uves Of the people, we A3Ne coodeos ed
the following particulars irorn 'ae articles
of Impeachment prepared and eAh'piedby
the managers.
The cause of complaint urged against
Judge Peck. arose under CERTAIN proceed
ngs by attachment for an ailedged con
tempt Of Court, instituted against Luxe
Edward Lawless, Counsellor at La" I'D
the city Of ST. Louis.
At the December term Of the District
Court OF the Unued States, for the District
of Missouri, held at St Louis, on "a e 4.a
Monday Of December, 1925, before Juag-
Peck, the Judge Of that Court, the caao OF
The heirs Of Soudard against the Unted
Safes. was brought up for Judgment
Mr.. Lawicss was COUNSEL Tor the plaintiffs
Judge Peel. rendered a faal decree againa
he claimants aud ma favor of the United
States, from which decree, al appeal was
during the same term duly taken by the
claimants TO the Supreme Court Of the u.
States. The Court was then regularly
adjourned to the3d Monday Of April next
ensuing, VIZ. in 1926.
Inthe vacation, on the Bon of March,
Judge Peek published IN Ue Missouri
Republican, his opinion deh.ered on the
cause, containing the reasons of that de-
cisIon. Upon the Sin day Of April, about
a week after the publication Of the Judges
opinion, Mr. Lawless published NJ the
Missouri Advocate and 81. Louis laqul-
rer," communication IL reply signed
"a Cit-en.o in winch be reviewed the
Judges opinion. aud gave list OF ahot he
calls the principal errors contained 10 It.
The article contains simply list Of c'gh-
teen errors "ia fact as we'll as IN doclle."
without further commest There was 10
the publication moth 9 disresPec OF
the person or characic. of Judge icc Is on
| lmpeachiUg his motives.
Al The next session Of the Court cod a,
bout fortnight after this communication
appeared, Judge Peck issued a. attach
meut against Mr.. Lawless for contempt
Of Court, and upon his being brought up
in custody by the Marshal on the return Of
he attachment, ordered him to be lmpus
oaed twentv-lour hours, and TO be suspcn
ded from practising as dh A"V'Iloy W
Counsellor IN the District Court for the
space of eighteen months, which sentence
was carried into effect.
Il is for this exercise of power, pro-
nou1ced by the articles Of impeachment,
as arbitrary, oppressive aud unjust, & as
tending ito the great dispalagement Of
public Justice. the abuse Of judicial author
ily, and to the subvcrsion Of the liberties
Of the people of the United S!ates;" that
the House Of Representatives have order
ed the present impeachment
Upon the presentation by the managers
Of this article of impeachment, and on mo-
lion of Mr. TazeWcll, a summons was Is
sued for the appearance Of Judge Peck.
returuable on Tuesday next. The Court
accordingly adjourned until that day.
Bat. Republican.