The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1869-01-29
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,.
Unusual PrOceedings---HOuk to be
9epH d1N Impeached. 4tfa7u III.

Line 1oilowlng extraordinary proceed-
ings occurred in the lower house of the
Tennessee Legislature on the 20th. ~
Mr.. Agee presented a petition from
citizens of the 17th Judicial Circuit, rep
resehting that they are favorable to the
execution of the laws Of the State, hold
ing that the welfare of the State requires
a sober and upright Judiciary, charging
that L. c. houk, the Judge of that Cir
cult, is an habitual drunkard, and conse-
quently unfit for the position, and call
ing for his removal, either by impeach-
lnent or joint resolution. Judge Houk
is also charged in the petition with be-
ing an infidel and lewd in his habits.
Mr.. Cordell desired to present a me-
mortal from tile accused before the read
ing of the resolution which accompa-
MED the petition. H., 80.
After considerable discussion as to
the proper course to pursue, the resolu-
ton was read as follows:
Whereas. A petition has been pre-
sented to this body signed by thirty
three citizens of the county of Camp
bell, including the entire Grand Jury of
said Court empannclled 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 Ju-
ness and drunkenness during the set
ting of his Court, and with misconduct
since he has been acting as Judge, un-
fitting him for that station; and, n
Whereas, The misconduct alleged in
said petition, if true, is of such grave
nature, when brought against a judicial
officer of the State, that it justifies and
demands 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 Rep
resentatives, That said petition be re-
ferred to special committee, to be COM
posed of seven members of this House.
which committee shall investigate the
alleged misconduct of Judge L. c.
Houck, and shall be allowed to elect its
own chairman, and, at its discretion,
may appoint q subcommittee to pro-
ceed to the 18th Judicial Circuit and in
quire into the matters alleged in said
petition. .-4
Be it further Resolved. That said COM
mittee be empowered to send for per-
sons and papers, and, If satisfied of the
alleged misconduct, to report articles OF
impeachment or such action as the pre-
liminary proof taken by said committee
shall seem to warrant.
Houck offered memorial denying
all the charges, and alleging that the ell.
tire movement against him was dictat.
ed by political considerations, and mo.
tives of personal animosity. After some
debate, the matter went over under the
rule till the following day.
The following joint resolution was in,
troduced by Mr.. Poston: >nsf
Whereas, The Memphis Avalanche, Q
newspaper published in the city of Mem.
phis, Tennessee, in its issue of the It'll
instant, threatens general armed resis
tance to the State if the militia is called
out to enforce the law and protect the
people and preserve the peace of tina,
county, in which the law has long beer
despised and murders and outrages con
tinually committed, and says, "Tennes
see will not. submit like Arkansas ;
that it has hard work to hold off itself
and its friends, and intimates design
of going over and cleaning out the mi,
litia on the other side Of the river; and
Whereas, 1t is the opinion of the
House that the Constitution and the Sc.
dition act of 1865 have been wilfuIly and
malicious.y violated by the editor Of
said paper, and believing that the honor
integrity and safety Of the State de.
mands that such law-breakers should
suffer the extreme penalty of the law
and it being the duty of the Governor
to see that the laws be faithfully enforc.
ed-Thereiore, , a
Be it resolved by the General Assem-.
bly, of the State of Tennessee, That
Governor Brownlow be requested i'm.
mediately to take such steps as will
enforce the law in this case of its
violation, and bring the offender or of.
Tenders before the proper tribunals, that
the laws may be fully vindicated and
respected, even by law-breakers.
The resolution was laid over under
the rule. t.t Gpt
rnr, Crnr, Of Tonnoscoo