The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-02-25
JUDGE ARTHUR IS SAFE.
He VIII Not BE Impeaohed by the Leg
islaturo.
snecIal pIspatch to the standard.

islaturo.
Special Dispatch TO the standard
SPOKANE. Wash, Feb. 2i.-k special
from Olympia TO the SpokeSmdn-Herfst0
saws: Judge Arthur of Spokane will not
be impeached. BY vote of AZ ayes to u
noes the house of representatives sup
ported the majority report of the commit
tee that visited Spokane to investigate
charges against Judge Jesse Arthur of the
superior bench and refused to bring inn
peachment proceedings. 1t was an even
ing remarkable for the eloquence OF the
sneakers supporting the ma ajority and mi
nority reports, chief among whom were
Schiyely of Whatcom and Colonel Eddy of
Snohomish for the majority, and Colonel
Moore of Skagit for the minority, and it
was not ordinary eloquence either, but of
such thrilling character that for over four
bours no one tired of the debate. Judge
Arthur listened from n retired spot in the
hall.
When the legislature met in special
avening session to consider the report of
the committee, two we're offered, the ma
ioritv and minority. The minority report
cites that the committee listened to 40
witnesses and the evidence was conflict
ing, but tho preponderance of that evi-
dence established beyond any doubt that
their is a strong probability OF truth IN
| each and every allegation contained In
| the charges aforesaid. From careful
consideration of all the testimony the
minority is fully convinced that said Jesse
Arthur is a grossly improper person TO
discharge the duties of superior judge
and recommend the passage of n joint
resolution removing him from Office" 1t
is signed by Solon I. Williams and A.
| Woodwork.
The majority report cited that the num-
her of witnesses heard was about equally
/ divided for and against, many OF each be-
/ ing among the most reputable, upright
and creditable citizens of Spokane and
Stevens counties. The majority report
then asserts that the evidence taken was
insufficient to sustain the charges except
that IL did establish the fact that Arthur
was negligent in permitting the grand
Jury to remain in session IN stevens
| county between April 25 and May with
| out work or business and at unnecessary
| expense, and that il did also establish the
fact that in the Chase case Judge Arthur
did authorize and permit certain instruc-
tions in manuscript to be taken 10 the
Jury room CONTRARY TO law and TO the
know ledge of said judge OF law"
"The majority therefore recommend,
in view of the extenuating circumstances
connected with the two charges estab-
lished, that the house of representatives
do take no further action or proceedings
| relative To said charges, and thar tue COM
mittee be discharged" The majority re-
port was signed 10y L. V. Eddy, chairman,
l.. L. RAIDER and L. K. NIms.
Colonel Eddy moved the adoption of
the majority report aud Mr.. Williams OF
King amended and asked that the minor
ity report be adopted. Then the cebate
was begun by Mr.. Williams, who charged
that Arthur was a confirmed user Of NOR
phine. he explained his actions in the
Chase case, told Of his neglect of the Stew
ems county grand jury and alleged that he
had been guilty OF corrupt practices IN re-
gard 10 the appointment OF receivers.
The vote was taken At midnight on the
minority report. L5sr. ayes 5. noes Is,
all the populIsts bat Phelps voting against
IL. The spokane delegation voted Tor the
report. except Collin, who was absent.
. Then the vote on the majority report was
taken up and passed.