The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-12-11
TO IMPEACH A JUDGE.
Congressman Lamar Offers Res
Oluti0n Toward That End.

Washington, Dec. 1.-THE house has
adopted a resolution directing the judi
ciary committee to inquire into the Of
fetal 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 (Dem. Fla.) offered the
resolution announcing that he desired to
impeach Judge SWayne. A lively debate
was had before the resolution was adopt
ed. A number of members of the ma
jority sought to have the resolution re-
ferred to the Judiciary committee in or
der that a recommendation might be
had from that committee before voting
on its adoption. The minority solid1y
supported Mr.. Lamar in his opposition
to the motion to refer, and several Re
publicanS voted against reference. There
were few dissenting votes on the mo-
ton to adopt the resolution.
Mr.. Lamar rising to a question of per-
-sonal 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-
ton I desire to impeach Charles
Swayne Judge of the United States dis
Florida. with crimes and misdemean-
ors.'-
The resolution after reciting in the
preamble the resolution of the Florida
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 official mis-
conduct 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 required by law, whether
absented himself from the 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 a denial of
justice; whether the said judge has
been guilty of corrupt conduct in office
and whether his administration of his
office has resulted in injury and wrong
to l1tigantS of his court"
The resolution further authorizes the
judiciary committee to send for persons
and papers and to do other things es-
sential to the investigation. Mr.. Gros-
venor suggested 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.
Mr.. Lacey (Rep., Ia.) moved to refer
the resolution to the committee on iu-
dietary. Mr.. Fuller (Rep., Ill.) said the
resolution should not be referred. but
should be voted down, charging that it
did not contain a single specification.
The humblest citizen, he said was en-
titled to be furnished with specific
charges before being placed on trial
Mr. Lamar asked if the charges of
high crime and misdenl eanors were not
sufficient. when he enumerated certain
allegations. among others that Swayne
was nonresident.
Mr. Williams, the minority leader.
contended for the adoption of the reso-
luton. Mr.. Mann Rep Ill) asked Mr.
Lamar if it was his idea that the Judi
ciary committee should proceed with
an inquiry without specific charges.
Mr.. Lamar replied that the committee
had full poWer