The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-12-17
To 1MPEACH JUDGE
Is import of a Resolution
Adopted in the Senate.
is SWAYNE, OF FLORIDA
Representative Lamar Begins Action
in Compliance With Resolution
Passed in Florida Legislature.
Sensational Charges.

A Washington special says: The
house Of representatives by formal
resolution has instructed it's judiciary
committee to investigate the charges
against United States District Judge
Charles Swayne, of Florida, with a
view to possible impeachment. This
action was taken at Thursdays ses-
sion after two hours debate.
The resolution was introduced BY
Judge Lamar, the new representative
from Florida, and had as its basis
resolutions adopted by the Florida leg
isiature last August.
Judge Lamar, Mr.. Clayton, Of Ala
bama, and Mr.. Williams, of Mississip-
pi, led the fight for the adoption Of the
impeachment resolution, while General
Grosvenor, of Ohio, Mr.. Payne, Of
New York, Mr.. Lacey, Of Iowa, and
other republican leaders, supported
Mr.. Lacey's motion to refer.
Mr. Lamar, rising to a question of
privilege, after announcing that he
would offer a resolution, in which
would be embodied a joint resolution
of the Florida legislature, said:
I'm pursuance Of that joint resolu-
tion, 1 desire to impeach Charles
Swayne, judge Of the United States
district court for the northern district
Of Florida, with high crimes and mis-
demeanors."
The resolution, after reciting in the
preamble the resolution of the Flor
ida legislature, says:
"Resolved, That the committee on
the judiciary be directed to inquire
and report whether the action of the
house is requisite concerning the off,
cial misconduct of Charles Swayne,
judge Of the United States district
court for the northern district Of
Florida, and say whether said Judge
has held terms Of his court as requir-
ed by lew, whether he has continuous.
ly and persistently absented himself
from said state, and whether his acts
and omissions in his Office Of judge
have been such as in any degree to
deprive the people Of that district Of
the benefits of the court therein to
amount to denial Of Justice; whethe-
the said judge has been guilty of cor
rupt conduct in Office and whether his
administration of his Office has result
ed in injury and wrong to litigants
Of his court
The resolution further authorizes
the judiciary committee to send for
persons and papers and to do other
things essential to the investigation.
Nr. Lamar moved the adoption of
the resolution. Mr.. Grosvenor sug-
gested that there should be specific
charges; that the house should go
slowly and be extremely careful. The
house is not a, grand jury, he said.
Messrs. Lacy, Payne and Fuller, re-
publicans, expressed in the same vein.
In reply, Mr.. Lamar said:
"As I understand, this objection
made by the gentlemen from Ohio
(Mr. Grosvenor), is that I do not
charge Judge Swayne with an specific
crime. I do charge him generally with
high crimes and misdemeanors. Why
should I be forced to state, when the
proof is to be submitted to the COM
mittee on judiciary, the specific mat
ters upon which that general allega-
ton is made. Every single crime that
this judge is capable Of committing is
charged when I charge him Of high
crimes and misdemeanors. But if the
gentleman desires that shall make
my charges seriatim, charge this
judge first, with continued, persistent
and, If you please, pernicious absentee
ism from his district; second, with cor
rupt official conduct based on several
matters; third, charge Judge Swayne
with maladministration of judicial
matters in his court, so much as to
embarrass bankrupts and anrihilate
the assets of litigants and others ap-
pearing within his jurisdiction"
Mr. Williams, the minority leader,
contended for the adoption of the res.
oaution. citing former cases and argu-
ing that the verbal statement Of Mr..
Lamar as sufficient
The motion to refer the resolution 20
the Judiciary committee was lost, when
the resolution as offered by Mr.. Lamar
was adopted with a few dissenting
votes.
The house then adjourned for the
day.
Girls Will Probably Go ON Strike