Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-12-11
58TA CONGRESS-.
An Attempt to Impeach Judge
Swayne Of Florida.
Cuban Reciprocity Bill Still Awaiting
Debate in the Senate.
Committee Keeps on with the Ge..
Wood Investigation.

Washington, Dec. 10.-The House,
today, adopted a resolution directing
the judiciary committee to inquire into
the conduct of Charles Swayne, judge
of the United States district court for
the northern district of Florida and
ito report whether the action of the
House is requisite"
Lamar, DEM, Fla, offered a resolu-
ton announcing that he desired to
impeach Judge Swayne. A lively de-
bate was had before the resolution was
adopted. A number of members on the
majority side sought to have the res
olution referred to the judiciary COM
mittee il order that a recommendation
might be had from that committee be-
fore voting on it's adoption. The
minority solidly supported Lamar in
his opposition to the motion to refer
and several Republicans voted against
reference. There We're few dissenting
votes on the motion to adopt the reso-
luton.
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
consideration.
When the House convened, Van
Voorhis, Ohio, for the committee on
appropriations, reported the pension
appropriation bill and gave notice that
he would call it up, tomorrow, for con-
sideration- In reply to Payne he said
it was the purpose of the committe.
to have full debate on the bill.
Ia vic 10
ton of privilege, after announcing that
he would offer a resolution in which
would be embodied Il joint resolution
of the Florida Legislature said:
In pursuance of that joint resolu-
ton | desire to impeach Charles
Swayne, judge Of the United States
district court for the northern dis
trict of Florida, with high crimes and
misdemeanors."
The resolution after reciting in the
preamble the resolution of the Florida
Legislature, calls upon the committee
on the Judiciary to inquire and report
whether the action of the House is
requisite concerning the official mis-
conduct of Charles Swayne, judge of
the United States district court for
the northern district of Florida, and
whether the said Judge has been guilty
of corrupt conduct in office and Whethe:
his administration of his office has re-
suited in injury and wrong to litigants
of his court.
Lamer moved the adoption of the res
olution.
Grosvenor suggested that there should
he specific charges; that the House should
go slowly and be extremely careful The
HouSe is not grand jury. he said.
FULLER. Rep, ILL.,. said the resolution
should be voted down. charging that it
did not contain a single Specificat ton
Lamar said: II charge this judge first
with continued. persistent and. if you
please pernicious absenteeism from this
district; second, with corrupt official con-
duct based on several ma tiers: third. |
charge Judge Swyne with maladminstra-
ton of judicial matters in his court, SO
much so as to embarrass bankrupts and
annihilate the assets of litigants and 9TH
ers appearing within his jurisdiction
Williams, the minority leader contend
ed for the adoption of the resolution, cit
ing former cases.
The motion to refer the resolution to
the judiciary committee was lost when
the resolution as offered by Lamar was
adopted with a few dissenting votes The
House at 1.57 p. M, adjourned until to-
morrow