The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-11
WILL INQUIRE
 INTO CHARGES Impeachment PrOceee dings Be-
 gun Against SWayne IlMlR 0EEERS RESOIIITI0N
LAMAR OFFERS RESOLUTION
Florida Representative Makes Allega- tions of Corruption and Misconduct Against Federal Judge In North
 ern District of State.

Washington, December 10.-The house today adopted resolution directing the Judicial committee to inquire into the official conduct of Charles Swayne, judge z of the United States district court for the northern district of Florida, and to report whether the action of the house is requisite"
 Mir Lamar democrat, Florida, offered the resolution, announcing that he desired to impeach Judge swayne. A lively de- bate was had before the resolution was adopted A number of the members of the majority side sought to have the re- solution referred to the judiciary com mittee, in order that recommendation might be had by that committee before voting on its adoption. The minority sol idly supported MT. Lamar in his oppo- stion to the motion to refer, and several republicans voted against the reference. There were few dissenting votes on 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 consideration.
 House Routine.
 When the house convened today, MT. Voorhis, Ohio, for the committee on ap- propriations, reported the pension appro- priation bill and gave notice that he would call it up tomorrow for consideration.
 In reply to MT. Payne, he said it was the purpose of the committee to have full debate on the bill.
 Mir Lamar, democrat, Florida, rising to a question of personal privilege, after announcing that he would offer a resolu- ton in which would be embodied joint resolution of the Florida legislature, said: Tn pursuance of that joint resolution. desire to impeach Charles Swayne, judge of the United States district court for the northern district of Florida, charged with high crimes and misdemean- prs"
 The resolution. after reciting in the preamble the resolution of the Florida legislature says:
 Resolved. That the committee on judi eiary be directed to inquire and report whether the action of the house is re- qtisite concerning the official misconduct of Charles Swayne, judge of the United States district court for the northern dis trict of Florida and say whether said judge has held terms of his court as re- uuired by law whether he has continu- ously and consistently absented himself from the said court. and whether his acts of omission 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 a de- nal of justice whether the said judge has been guilty of corrupt conduct in of- fee; and whether his administration of his office has resulted in injury and wrong to litigants of his court
 Further Authority Given.
 The resolution further authorizes the judiciary committee to send for persons and papers and to do other things essen- tial to the investigation.
 Mr Lamar moved the adoption of the resolution.
 MT. Grosvenor suggested that there should be specific charges; that the house should go slowly and be extremely care ful. The house is not grand jury, he said.
 Mr Lacey, republican, of Iowa moved to refer the resolution to the committee on judiciary.
 MT Fuller republican. of Illinois said the resolution should not be referred. but should be voted down, charging that 1t did not contain single specification. The hlfmblest citizen. he said, was entitled to be furnished with specific charges before heinz placed on trial He declared that it would be useless to refer the resolution to the judiciary committee, saving that
 
 it back with a report that there was noth- inf. in 1t to warrant action.
 Mir Lamar asked If the charges of high crime and misdemeanors were not sufh- cient when he enumerated certain ale pations among others that Swayne was nonresident.
 Mr Mann. republican. of Illinois asked MT Lamar If 1t was his idea that the judiciary committee should proceed with an inquiry without specific charges.
 Mr. Lamar Replies.
 MT Lamar said in reply to Mir Gros- venor
 "As I understand it this injunction made by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr Crosvenor) Is that do not charge Judge Swayne with any specific crime. | oo charge him generally with high crimes and misdemeanors. Why should I be forced to state when the proof is to be submitted to the committee on judiciary the specific matter upon which that gen. sral allegation Is made?. Every single crime that this judge is capable of com hitting is charged when I charge him of high crimes and misdemeanors. But if the gentleman desires that shall make my charges seriatim. I charge this judge first with continued, persistent and, if YOU please, pernicious absenteeism from district; second, with corrupt official con duet based on several matters; third, I istration of judicial matters in his court so much so as to embarrass banhrupts and annihilate the assets of litigants and others appearing within his Jurisdiction MT. Clayton of Alabama, democrat. said Mr. Lamar had pursued course similar to that followed in other cases.
 .This Is merely the inauguration of an Indictment" he said
 Mir Lacey, republican, of Iowa. spoke for his motion to refer.
 The motion to refer the resolution to the judiciary committee was lost, and the resolution as offered by Mir. Lamar was adopted with few dissenting votes. The house then adjourned until tomor- row.
 Report on Pension Bill.
 Washington, December 10-The house committee on appropriations today au- thorized a favorable report on the pen sion appropriation bill. It carries total of s13s1 59.10o. which is s250O less than the est -.~- snhmitted. The bill carries H,-