The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-02-15
NEWS AND OBSERVER FRIDAY MORNING. FEBRUARY -

fund was in the Treasury to pay iof Iie
remaining two years. The judges con-
strued these acts all together, and de-
cided as they did. Can we say that they
are guilty?
In 1885. It was indisputable fact that
hte President had violated the Constltu-
ton. The United states Senate then was
composed of such men as Webster CiaS
ana Calhoun. That Senate adopted res
clution of protest. We have been charged
with cowardice But are we towards or
children when we are doing the same
thing these men did. And ! do not con
slider. either that l violate my oath Wheh
say that these Judges ought not TO De
imneached. Two years from now the peo-
pie will have the right to pass upon thelI
conduct. Have we the right to do II!
The people of North Carolina are the ones
to rass on these questions.
The sneaker then read quotations from
Senator Daniel Webster's argument on
the question of impeaching the President
wherein that great statesman recon-
mended the adoption Of resolution OF
censure. such a resolution" said MT
Hood. simply places us on record as pro-
testing against the action of the court
1t means that we are not exercising the
powers of a judicial body.
81 have not been actuated by any out
side influence in taking this position.
know that the history of this glorious
State OF ours has always been con-
sentative, cautious one. do not con-
scientiousiy believe that the people IN
their mighty power are asking the Legis-
lature to impeach these officials | want
to refer to very touching phase or TINS
question The chief actor has gone be-
yond, and / canot believe that Judge
Faircloth would willingly and knowingly
override the rights of the people, and
sav II / do not believe it.
MR.. BALDWIN'S SPEECH.
The next speaker was Mr.. Baldwin, OF
Forsyth. who spoke somewhat as follows
'If | had been present at the Judiciary
committee meeting when the report was
mpde by the committee ana acted
urCn, I would have reserved the right to
express myself adversely on this hoor.
AS l was absent from that meeting l
axe the opportunity now and l intend 10
vote against it. This is nv position, ana
ava no apology 10 make to ANYBODY
| for differing from them. ] have been a
| little surprised to hear members apollo
gizing TO others for not agreeing with
them, i QOn see now ny any lSdoohlhS
| process of the mind we can come to the
conclusion that these judges ought to be
| impeached. ] go further and say ] don
see how by any gymnastics of the mind
| that conclusion can be reached. | can see
how we can say their action was mis-
| take, but l don't see how we can at this
| time go down into their hearts and say
! they were actuated by vile purpose.
| But it has been said here that we are
only a grand jury to charge with crime
| and misdemeanor. / say | would not
| charge any man with a crime of which
| | would not convict him on trial jury
| Unless we feel that we could convict these
| men, we ought to be very slow to find
! charges against them. Consider what this
| means. to impeach man. 1t means that
! he walks out of the city disgraced and
| ruined, never able to hold office in North
! Carolina and it may be never to vote
again. Yet we are told it is mere mat
| ter of form.