The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-22
SWayne'S Impeachment
Decided By Committee
Favorable Report Will Be Submitted to House.
and Action Taken--ProCedure If Formal
Charges Are Presented to Senate.

After long and careful denberation
having fun cognizance of the serious
ness Of the case. the House Committee
on the judiciary has decided 20 report
IN favor OF the Impeachment Of Judge
Charles Swayne Of the Federal bench in
the Northern district of Florida. Rep
resentativc Palmer of Pennsylvania has
been designated to prepare the report
which will be submitted to the House
within a short time
1t is probable that the House viii con-
cur in the recommendation of the COM
-nittee and pass the resolution of I'M
parchment. A lively fight is anticipated.
however, for it IS announced that Judge
Swayne is determined to contest the
matter TO the last He is not without
defenders, the chief Of whom is Repre-
sentative Gillette of California. who was
a member of the subcommittee which
Investigated the charges against the
jurist and submitted a minority report
in his favor and against impeachment
The vote IL the full committee was not
unanimous, and there viii be q minority
report TO the House
Judge Swayne is a Republican and was
appointed to the Federal bench by
President Harrison in 1890. There was
some protest then from the people OF
the Northern district of Florida against
his confirmation on the ground that he
was not q resident of that State. but
rather a citizen Of Delaware. Judge
Swayne maintained, however, that for
some time before his appointment ne
had been practicing law in Pensacola.
Became Unpopular.
He became unpopular, and extremely
50. about two years ago because of his
action in a bankruptcy proceedings, and
because of his course in two contempt
cases Added to these charges, II was
alleged that Judge Swayne was absent
from his district a great deal OF the
time when he should have been holding
court. that many cases We're delayed for
a long time. while Judge Swayne was
living in Delaware.
One year ago the bar of Pensacola
and prominent citizens of the district
sent memorial TO the House praying
latene.ss of the session nothing was
done in the matter Two months ago
representative Lamar Of Florida arose
IN his seat and presented the resOlu-
ton of the Legislature of Florida. max
ing charges against Judge SWaVne, and
formally impeached him of high crimes
and mtsdemeanors In Office" The reso-
iuLlOn was referred to the Committee
on the judiciary. which appointed Rep
resentative Palmer of Pennsylvania
representative Gillette of California. and
Clayton of Alabama. TO
go 70 Pensacola. hear evidence, and in
VeSuSate the charges. The committee
spent two weeks in Florida and after
ward heard argument in Washington
Mr. Palmer and Mr.. Clayton presented a
report TO the full committee
IaVoring Impeachment. and Mr. Gillette
presented a minority report.
impeachment proceedings are so I'M
usual IN Congress that even the mem
oers Of the Committee on the judiciary.
all OF whom are lawyers. are somewhat
rusty and uninf )rmed as to the pro-
cedure TO be followed. When the REPORT
u the committee is presented il is
privileged. and may be called up and
acted upon at any time
Five Managers.
If a resolution of Impeachment is
passed, the House names five managers
to prepare articles Of impeachment
setting forth the charges and the speci