The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-02-16
IN ARTHUR'S CASE.
One of Spokane's judges Finds His
Pathway Full of Thorns.

1 oue OF SpOhdnes ouuScs Ills
Pathway Full of Thorns.
| special Disratch to the Standard.
| SPOKANE, Wash. Feb. 15.--The hearing
/ in the impeachment of Judge Jesse Ar
| thur began to-day at the Hotel Spokane
by the special legislative committee, con-
ssting of T. V. Eddy of Snohomsh. chair
man; Almon Woodwork and L. 3. RAIDER
| of Pierce, 5. L. Williams of King and L.
| II. Minis of Chehalis.
| The committee conducts the investiga-
ton privately, excluding all persons ex-
! cept the witnesses on the stand. The ac-
cused, those making the charges and
counsel are all who are present. The
| press is refused representation and no
stenographic report is kept. The COM
mittee states that private investigation
| is preferable, as the witnesses might not
give as full information publicly.
Arthur is much opposed to n private
session, and will request that the exam
ination of his witnesses be in public. The
attorneys examined to-day refused TO
state the nature of the testimony. Sew
eral are TO be examined, and the investi-
cation will probably continue several
days. Arthur's counsel declared that j.
r. Lambly, who started the investigation,
is mentally unbalanced.
Arthur's impeachment in the legislature
was presented at the request of j. r.
Lambly of Spokane, who is a job printer
and for years has been an intimate
friend of several we'll known lawyers of
this city. Lambly's establishment has
done nearly all the law printing in Spo-
kane for long time. The resolution was
offered by Representative Tull and is as
follows:
WHEREAS, Jesse Arthur, superior judge for
the counties of Spokane and Stevens has been
charged with grave oifenses and with being I'M
mindful of his duties and of the dignity Of his
office and Of his oath under the constitution
and laws of Washington. Ii is charged that as
such Judge he has demeaned himself in dis
graceful manner, TO his own disgrace and to
the modification OF citizens OF his said district;
therefore, be it
Re,Olrcd. That a select committee OF five
he appointed TO investigate the charges made
against the superior judge of the district COM
posed of the counties of spokane and stevens,
and his official conduct, with power TO send
persons and papers and further authority TO
proceed to the city Of Spokane. il deemed 10 be
necessary said committee to report 10 the house
its findings, with such recommendations as may
be deemed PROPER.
A special to the Spokesmd n ReuietU from
Olympia says: When Mr.. Tull intro
duced his resolution in the legislature it
was expected that the populist members
would make strenuous opposition to it's
adoption.
Mr. Minis of Chehals, the veteran re-
publican, however, was the only member
to make serious objections to the resou-
ton. He believed that the time of the
house should not be taken up with such
an investigation unless there was an alb
solute certainty of the reasonableness of
the charges preferred. Mr.. Tull explained
that the charges to be presented were of a
serious nature, and that he could not see
why the house could not at least make an
investigation. Mr.. Milroy believed that
charges properly presented should be con-
sidered. Mr.. Williams was also of this
opinion.
Mr.. Cline, populst, said that charges of
impeachment, when made against any
official, either high or low, should receive
the attention of the house. He did not
care whether the official so charged was a
member of his political party or not. lie
was in favor of the appointment of a COM
mittee to investigate. Mr.. Minis moved
to lay the resolution on the table, but the
motion was defeated. The resolution was
then adopted and Speaker Morrison later
appointed the committee.
Briefly stated the charges are that:
the administration of justice in many acts
of gross misconduct, neglect of duty and
malfeasance, to-wit: During the spring of
1894 the grand jury of Stevens county was
left for two or three weeks idle and with
out business, awaiting, as required by
law. Arthur's presence TO discharge them,
thereby greatly increasing the cost to the
county.
He has been guilty of repeated and pro-
tracted absences from duty as Judge of
Spokane county, thereby increasing the
burden of his associates and REGARDING
justice.
While in CHI arge of the equity depart
ment of the Spokane court during 1893
his administI alton of trusts and other es-
tates created scandal and disrepute, and
thereafter, when presiding over the crimI-
nal department. the length of trials, tho
attendant expenses and the universal ac-
quittal OF prisoners have brought the adj
ministration of justice in the criminal de-
partment into general public contempt.
Arthur's misconduct receives especial
attention in section of the charges,
which sets forth that he has "been notori-
ously and habitual!y IN an intoxicated
condition, incident TO the use OF narcotics
or stimulauis, insomuch that he is COM
monty spoken of as morphine nend.'
His judicial plumbers and carelessness
while in such condition have repeatedly
jeoparlized the interests Of tho state, a
good illustration of which is taken
from the case of the state vs.
Annie Lewis, duly certified TO by the
clerk OF the superior. court" Abund-
ant p roof can be furnished, it is stated,
as 10 his stupid, drunken, maudliu condi-
ton while on the bench administering
justice, 10 the great disgust OF those forced
TO appear before him and TO the greater
shame OF the commonwealth.
The charges demand that the aforesaid