The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-12-15

Washington, December 10.-TodaN'5t
session of the Senat lasted only thirty
seven minutes. After the completion
Of the routine business. the Cuban blll
was laid before the Senate. but nc
one appeared ready to speak on 1t.
Previous to the adjournment MIR.
Hoar gave notice that as soon as prac-i
ticable after the disposition Of the
Cuban bill he would call UP his reso-
luton introduced yesterday requesting
information from the President cCr-l
independence # Panama was re-
cogniZed
THE HOUSE.
Washington, Dec, 10.-The House
today adopted a resolution dlreCunsl
the Judiciary committee to inquire INTO
the official conduct of Charles Swayne,
judge Of the United States district
court for the northern district OF
Florida and to report whether the
action of the House is requisite"
Mr.. Lamar. Democrat. of Florida,
offered the resolution, a~nnouncinS
that he desired to impeach Judged
Swayne. A lively debate was had be-
number of the members on the MAJOR
ity side fought to have the resolution
referred to the judiciary mmii
that a recommendation might be had
from the mi before voting on
Its adoption. The minority solidly sup
ported MIR. Lamar IN his opposition u
the motion to refer. and several Re-
publicans voted against reference.
There We're but few dissenting votes o.,
the motion to adopt the resolution.
The first Of the appropriation bills
the pension bill-WaS reported to the
House today and notice was given that
it will be called up tomorrow for cor
Sideratlon.
Mr.. Lamar. Democrat Florida, rising
to a question Of personal privilege Of
ter announcing that he would offer a
| resolution IN which would be embodied
d joint resolution of the Florida legs
islature. said: In pursuance OF that
| joint resolution, l desire to impeach
Charles Swayne, judge of the United
States district court for the northern
district Of Florida with high crimes
and miSdemeanorS.'
| The resolution, after reciting IN The
| preamble the resolution of the Florida
legislature, says: Resolved that the
committee on judiciary be directed to
inquire and report whether the action
Of the House IS requisite concerning
( the official misconduct of Charles
6wayne, Judge Of the United States
district court for the Northern district
OF Florida n say whether the said
| Judge has held terms of court as re-
Quired by law, whether he has con-
tinuously n persistently absented
himself from the said State, and
] whether his acts n omissions in
4 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 mount to a denial
OF justice; whether the said judge has
been guilty OF corrupt conduct In o.
fee and whether his administration Of
his office had eSulted in injury and
wrong to litigants Of his court
The resolution further authorized
the judiciary committee to send for
| persons and papers and to do other
things essential to the investigation.
Mr.. Lamar moved the adoption Of
the resolution.
Mr.. G~rosvenor suggested that there
| should be specific charges; that the
House should go slowly and be ex-
tremely careful. The House is not 4
grand jury. he said.
Mr.. Lacey. Republican Of Iowa
moved to refer the resolution to the
committee on judiciary.
Mr.. Payne. Republican. Illinois, said
the resolution should not be referreE,
but should be voted down, charging
that it did not contain a single SpeCi-
dcation. The humblest citizen. he said
was entitled to be Furnished with
specific charges before beng placed on
trial. He declared that it would be
useless to refer the resolution to the
judiciary committee, sayln that that
committee would be obliged to report
It back with a epo that there was
nothing in it to warrant action
Mr.. Lamar said: AS l understand
the objection made by the gentleman
from Ohio, Mr.. Grosvenor. is that I do
not charge Judge Swayne with any
specific crime. l do charge him gen.
orally with high crimes and misde-
meanors. Why should l be forced TO
state. when the proof is to be submit
ted TO the committee on judiciary, the
specific matters 0 hat general ale
cation Is made. Every single crime
that this judge is capable Of commit
ting, is charged when you charge him
Of high crimes and misdemeanor. But
If the gentleman desires that | shall
make my charges seriatin. charge
thi. Judge first. with continued. per-
sistent, and if you please, pernicious
absenteism from his district; second
with corrupt official conduct based On
several matters, third. l charge Judge
Swayne with NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF
! judicial matters in his court, so much
as to embarrass b~ankrupts and ami
hilate the assets of ~litigants and others
! appearing within his jurisdiction.
Mr.. Williams. the minority leader
commended for the adoption of the res
olution, citing former cases and areu-
ing that the verbal statement Of Mr..
Lamar IS sufficient.
Mr.. Mann. Republican Illinois, asked
, Mr.. Lamar if it was his idea that the
judiciary committee should proceed