New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-14
l. S. JUDGE IMPEACHED.
SENATE TO TRY SW4YNE.
Accused by House Of High Crimes
and MisdemeanOrS.

Washington Dec. 13-With few dissenting
votes the House to-day adopted the resolution
of Impeachment against Judge Charles Swayhe
Of the United States District Court of Northern
Florida, and directed that he be brought before
the bar of the Senate OH charges which included
obtaining money from the government on false
certihcations, misuse of judicial powers. tyr
amy, corruption and false imprisonment of cit
liens.
The gravity OF the charges and the Importance
of the proceedings. which had for their object
the impeachment for high crimes and misde-
meanors of member of the federal judiciary,
caused the attendance of a large proportion OF
the membership Of the House, and the utmost
interest was manifested as the case against the
accused judge was presented. Members clus-
tered around the speakers as they denounced the
practices of Judge Swayne and laid bare his
acts. Questions were intarpolated which indi-
Gated "a divided opinion as the advisablity Of
incorporating in the articles of impeachment all
the crimes with which Judge Swayne is charged.
1t was evident that some of the ablest legal
talent in the South thought that the evidence
given before the committee failed to justify the
impeachment OF the judge for his judicial acts
but there We're few who did not condemn his
alleged Justification of expense accounts and de-
mand his punishment therefor.
The case against Judge Swayne was clearly
set out by Mr. Palmer of Pennsylvania. chair
man Of the subcommittee of the Judiciary
Committee which heard the evidence in the
case. He carefully dsseCted the evidence bear
ing on each of the specifications, and said that
if it We're found that Judge Swayne had done
we'll he should be vindicated, but if he had done
III ne should be sent to trial, where his excuses
and apologies may or may not receive cOnsid-
Grafton" He was followed by Messrs. Clayton.
of Alabama; Powers of Massachusetts; Henry,
of Texas and Lamar. of Florida, each of whom
In vigorous terms advocated impeachment
Messrs. Gillette, of California, and LittleheId OF
Maine. opposed their colleagues on all the spec
ifcations except the one as TO the account rem
dered TO the government by Judge Swayne for
travelling expenses.
Throughout the session intense interest was
shown by members.
Mr. Palmer moved the previous question on
the resolution, with amendment providing for
Judge Swayne's impeachment Of high crimes
and misdemeanors." The original resolution
specified only high misdemeanor." The previ-
Gus question was ordered, 19S TO 81. The resolu-
ton then was agreed to without division. I'M
mediately after the adoption Of the impeachment
resolution Mr.. Palmer offered the following,
which adopted;
Senate and at the bar in the name of the House
of Representatives and of all the people of the
United States to -mpeach Charles Swayne. judge
of the District Court of the United States for the
Northern District of Florida, of high crimes and
misdemeanorS In office, and to acquaint the Sen
ate that the House of Representatives will, i'm
due time. exhibit particular articles of lmpeaCh-
ment against him and make good the same, and
that the committee do demand that the Senate
take order for the appearance of the said Charles
Swayne to answer said Impeachment.
Another resolution was adopted providing that
a committee of seven be appointed TO prepare
and report articles of impeachment against
Judge Swayne This resolution Mr. Littlefeld
unsuccessfully sought to amend by substituting
the words COMMITTEES on the Judiciary" for the
word seven" The Speaker thereupon ap-
pointed as the committee TO carry the mpeaCh-
ment into the Senate Messrs. Palmer Penn).
Jenkins CNis), Gillett (CalD Clayton (Ala) ana
Smith (KyD.
To-day's proceedings We're the first of their
kind since the impeachment in 1875 of General
w w Belknap who Secretary of War in
President Grants Cabinet.