The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-02-26

seuth Carolina Judges--Ema peac achmacmt In
1855 and In 1919.
The Impeachment, Of Judge Mont
romcry Moses for off1cial misconduct is
the first instance Of the kind known In
South Carolina. The Judges ~ the
olden time were distinguished alike by
rare ability and spotless purity; upon
tNtAh Once only In tho whole history
Of the State, previous 10 the present
time, has impeachment OF u high ju-
dicial functionary been resorted to, and
then the offense waB totally different
from those now charged against Judge
Moses !,
In January, 1923, charges Of habitual
lntelnperancey were brought against
ChSnceiicr William DobSin james.
Chancellor James was u hero OF the
Revolution. At an early age he Joined
Marion's partisan corps, and distin.
guished himself In the battles OF that
period. After the Revolution he be-
came Solicitor Of tho Northern Circuit.
and In 1901 was made y Judge Of tho
Court OF Equity. In this capacity he
served twenty-two years. when, after
the organization OF tho separate Court
Of Appeals In lS24, he was transferred to
the law bench. Many Of his decrees
were we'll written, but habits OF intcm-
pcranoe, that had been yearly becoming
stronger, finally incapacitated him for
his grave duties. and ho was arraigned
before tho Senate for impeachment IN
january, 1928. A graphic description OF
the lmreAchnlUnt trial A found IN Jsidge
O'Neafl's Bench and Bar OF South
Carolina"
The Senate sat with closed doors.
COL ION presided during the trial, The
Non. VIM. q. Preston, the silver.
tongued orator, appeared in behalf OF
the Chancellor, and mnde brilliant
but unavatling defense. When the vote
was taken each senator, On being Giilod,
rose uncovered In his seat, and was
asked "What say your Guilty or not
guilty ?" lie replied. placing his right
hand ,ipon his breast Guilty (or not
guilty., on my honorl" The impeach-
ment was resolved upon, and the day
fixed Tor the sentence. Al the appotpted
time Chancellor james entered the
Senate Chamber. leaning On the arm OF
his counsel, The President, rising In
his seat. after n moments silence, said !:
"William Dobein James, what haye you
TO say why sentence OF Impeachment
should not be passed upon your" The
moment was ono Of great solemnity.
The Chancellor, being assisted TO rise.
read the following:
Mr.. PresidGlt-I have served my
country too long not TO be sensible OF
my duty to submit las well rs i may) TO
this heavy stroke. | could have wished
that my old ago had been spared this
awful calamity, but Proyleence mas
thought proper TO bring nie through the
varied and trying scenes OF long life to
this bitter period. To the Almighty,
and TO Him alone, look for support and
consolation. 1 pray Him To bless and
prosper my country, which, while she
casts me of, cannot, and trust will not,
be disposed to deprive nee OF the con
ISOLATION which results from q conscious.
ness Of good intentions aud honest con
duct In ofYaca u T'l1tDtSN y =
This pathetic appeal caused even the
sternsst spirits present tc yield to their
emotion. ..f
NJ. Alfred Huser, OF Charleston, then
! offered u resolution which he pretaced
by most touching address, declaring
that, while the law niust have its victim.
and had had II, still the altar was be.
deued with the tears OF those who had
prestdod ut the sacrifice. The resolu-
uon was as follows;
Resolrsd, That this Court, in dis
Charging the painful duty imposed upon
by the State OF South Carolina, hav-
ng passed sentence OF removal trom
office upon the Hon. WIN. u. James,
!eels II incumbent upon itself. In justice
70 the said VIM. d. James, publicly. to
declare their sincere conviction that his
honest integrity ms man has not been
lmpsached by this sentence, and ia con-
slderation of this belief, as we'll rs In
consideration or his revolutionary SER
wee wees they reeommend to both branches
q this Legislature that the said w. y.
lanes he authorized too drnw upon the
treasurer OF the Upper Division for the
.ui! amount OF bis salary appropriated
W 70 the LIST Of January, 1880.
Inc resolution was adopted by an
oyerwhelmiRg vote. ~ 1.
!. This impeachment OF Judge james,
y Will be seen, involved no charge OF
ment he carried the sympathy Of the
people for his phvSical weakness