Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-12-15
~ THE SENATE.
That Grave Cody Awakened BY
Houses Prompt Swayne Action.

Washington Dec. 14-When the SEN
ate convened it was understood that
before the close of the day it would be
called upon to take cOenizance of the
decision of the House of Representa-
tives 10 begin Impeachment proceedings
against Federal Judge Charles Swayne
of the northern district of Florida. APP
parently the Senate had not counted
upon being so soon confronted with this
problem, so that when few minutes
before the hour of meeting the House
committee appeared at the Vice Pres
idcnts room to confer with President
Pro TEN Frye there was a general
scurrying about on the part of officials
to find precedents and to make prcpa-
rations for the ceremony, the like of
which has not been witnessed in the
Senate chamber since the proceedings
Of 1876 against Sec. Belknap.
While these details were being ar
ranged Senator Frye was engaged in
conference with the House committee
consisting of Messrs. Palmer. Jenkins,
Gillett, Clayton and Smith. Ky. Their
official action consisted in a more no.
tiication to Mr.. Frye, of the commit
Ices desire to bring the action OF the
House in the Swayne case to the at
tentIon of the Senate at as early an
hour rs possible, today, and Mr.. Frye's
reply was that the Senate would be
prenared 10 receive the committee any
time that it might arrive.
The House members state that 1t
would be impossible for the committee
to present its articles of impeachment
RI hn HOLIDAYS and If
suggested that the trial might be post
pcned until after March next, or even
until the next session of Congress.
The Senate in the meantime passed the
bill incorporating the American National
Red Cross The House Impeachment COM
mittee presented itself at the main door
Of the Senate. being preceded by Clerk
Browning Of the House. who was an
bounced in the usual form by B. w. Lay
ten. assistant sergeant ut arms.
MI Browning read the the im peas en-,
layton then presented the committee,
saying: Il announce the committee from
the nouse of Representatiyes atp et ,e
ceived -
The Chair announced that he would re-
ceiye the committee, whereupon the COM
mittee was taken in charge by Colonel d.
NJ. RanSdelI sergeant at arms of the Sen
ate and all the members conducted down
the center aisle to a point Immediately in
font OF the President Pro Tempore's
seat.
Mr. Palmer spoke for the committee.
saying:
MIR President: In obedience to the or
der of tie House of Representatives we
appear before YOU and in the name OF the
House Of Representatives and Of all the
people of the United States of America
we do inpeach Charles Swayne. Judge OF
the district court of the United states
for the northern district OF F'lorida OF
high crimes and misdemeanors in once;
and we further inform the Senate that the
House OF Representatives will In due time
exhibit articles Of impeachment against
him ard make good the same ana IN
their names we demand that the Senate
shall take order for the appearance OF the
said Charles Swayne to answer SAID I'M
pea chment. -. ..r,,
The President Pro Tempore said: The
Chair begs to announce that the senate
will take order in the premises. Que no
tice Of which will he given to the HOUSE,
The committee immediately retired, Inc
entire ceremony consumed less IMAM III &C
minutes of time.