The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-01-20
scnntnr cnrtcr Not sntirled.

Senator Carter Not Satisfied.
Senator Carter. it seems, Is not satisfied
with the conclusion reached by the COM
init;ee appointed To examine the charges
which he made against Judges Reese and
Sweat. II is but natural that he should
take the view that the testimony he pro-
duced to sustain the charges justified i'm
parchment proceedings. He became so
thoroughly interested in his effort to sus-
tain the charges that the evidence seemed
10 him to be stronger than it did to the
members Of the committee. The fact that
the finding of the committee was unani-
mous-that tlie two populist members
agreed with the other members of the
committee-ought TO satisfy him that he
failed to show satisfactory reasons for
impeaching the accused judges. 1t was
apparent to those who read the testimony
long before the hearing was concluded,
that there would not be any impeach-
ment proceedings. The committee would
have subjected itself to public censure
If it had recommended impeachment when
it was clear that the charges of wrong
doing could not be sustained.
We do not think there will be any dis
position to condemn Senator Carter for
making the charges. The reports which
reflected seriously upon two of the judges
of the state have been shown to be with
out substantial foundation. Although it
has cost the state about 5000 to show
what ground there was for the reports,
it was worth fully that amount, and more,
~
preston that was calculated to weaken
confidence in the courts. If the reports
had remained uncontradicted evil-dispos-
ed persons would have made them an ex-
cuse for still further questioning the NOR
ality of the judiciary, and might have
endeavored to raise doubts as to integrity
of the judges. If Senator Carter had not
believed the reports were true he would
not have spoken as he did in the Senate
and would not have made charges against
the two Judges who have just been exon
Grated. AS a matter of fact. he gave the
two judges a chance to set at rest reports
which were very injurious to Them and
his charges forced the state to show that
its judges are entitled to the confidence
of the people. Therefore, the 5000 spent
in the Investigation was not thrown away
Another thought in this connection is
that the judges are now warned that they
must avoid even the appearance of wrong
doing. Drinking to excess or any other
conduct calculated to provoke public crit
icism will not be tolerated. The judges
must respect an enlightened public senti-
ment or they will be marked for disgrace.
There is one feature of the matter that
is likely to be the cause of further In
quiry. 1t is that relating to Judge Gober.
Senator Carter says he made charges
against him, but for some reason or other
they did not reach the House and, there
fore, they were not included in the reso-
luton authorizing an investigation. Sen
ator Carter is determined to find out why
the charges against Judge Gober were
not sent to the House. 1t will be found,
probably, that the failure to send them
was an oversight 1t is hardly probable
that an investigation of them will be in
sisted upon. In view of the outcomei of
the investigation that has just ended it
would be well for Senator Carter to find
out exactly what evidence there is to
sustain his charges against Judge Gober
before demanding an investigation.
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