Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-01-21
IMPEACHMENT.
A Bill of Serious Charges Against q
Circuit Judge.

Hon. L. c. Heuk Accused of Drunk :
enness and Inadelfty.
In the House Of Representatives yesler-
terday, Mr.. Agee presented petition from
citizens of the 18th Judicial Circuit, repre-
senting that they are favorable TO the exc
cution Of the laws of the State, holding
that the welfare of the State requires a
sober and upright Judiciary, charging that
L. G. Houk, the Judge of that circuit, il
an habitual drunkard, and consequently
unfit for the position, and calling for his
removal either by impeachment or joint
resolution. Judge HOuk is alsocharged in
the petition with being an inHdel and lewd
in his habits.
Mr.. Cordell desired 10 present memo
rial from the accused before the reading Of
the resolution which accompanied the Pc
tition.
Alter considerable discussion as to the
proper course to pursue, the resolution was
read as follows:
Whereas, A Petition has been presen.
ted to this body signed by thirty-thres
citizens of the county of Campbell, includ.
ing the entire grand jury of said court en-.
pannelled at the Circuit Court of said
county at its last term, charging L. c.
Houk, the presiding Judge of said county,
and assigned to hold the courts of the
Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, with habitual
drunkenness and drunkenness during the
setting of his court, and with misconduct
since he has been acting as Judge,
uniting him for that station; and
Whereas, The misconduct alleged in
said petition, If true, is of such a grave
nature, when brought against judicial
officer of the State, that it justiies and de.
mands an investigation by the House, to
the end that if this body is satisfied of the
charges, it may determine whether it will
bring articles of Impeachment against
Judge Houk; therefore
Be it resolved by the House of Repre-.
sentatives, That said petition be referred
to special committee, to be composed Of
seven members of this House, which COM
mittee shall investigate the alleged miscon'
duct of Judge i. c. Houk, and shall be
authorized TO elect its own chairman, and
at its discretion, may appoint sub-com.
mittee 10 proceed to the 18th Judicial
Circuit and inquire into the matters al
legged in said petition.
Be it further resolved, That said COM
mittee be empowered to send for persons
and papers, and, if satisfied of the alleged
misconduct, TO report articles of impeach'
ment or such action as the preliminary
proof taken by said committee shall see n
to warrant.
The memorial from Judge Houk wa'
then read, in which he denies all the
charges preferred against him, strongly in
timating that the movement TO Gust him
from the bench was prompted by mere po
Iitical luminosity and personal hatred, and
reflects very severely on Mr.. Agee, the
member by whom the petition was pre-
scented.
The reflections in the memorial with re-
gard to Mr.. Agse's motives in presenting
the petition gave rise to rather warm dis
cussion.
The Speaker suggested that the portion
referring to Mr.. Agee was out of order and
should be struck out.
Mr.. Welsh commended ihSt Judge Houk
had as much right to use rough Language
as those who upjustly accused him. He
thought the affair was dirty one, at best
and reflected no credit On those by whom
il was originated.
Mr.. Agee insisted that he had no feeling
in the matter whatever against Judge
Houk, and that he had merely carried ouI
the wishes of his constituents in presenting
the petition, which was signed by some o.
the very best citizens of Campbell county
Mr.. Cordell finally withdrew Judge
Houk's memorial for the purpose Of .strik'
ing out the Objectionable portions, and the
whole matter went over under the rules
until to-day.