The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-19
4 JEAL Gus GUARD
On BOYD CHARGES
"They are of a Most Sc
riOus Character"
WAITING ON HOUSE
The Judiciary Committee of this Body
Will Take No Action in the Matter
Unless Directed to Do so
By the House
Itself.
Especial to ews and Observer)

Washington, D. c., Jan. 1S.-Charges
seriously affecting both the judicial and
personal character of Judge James e.
Boyd, of the United States court for the
Western district of orth Carolina, have
been made to the House Judiciary Com
naittee. The committee, however, VIII
take no action regarding them unless di-
rected to do so by the House, and IN
order to secure such action on the part
of the House there must be presenta-
tion of definite charges by some response
bic member coupled with demand OF an
investigation into them.
So far the charges against Judge Boyd,
while both specific and damaging, have
not been formally or definitely presented.
The committee has received many letters
and communications on the subject con-
tanning charges against him, and North
Carolina Republicans have called on vari-
Gus members concerning them, but all o?
tnem have been informed that the COM
mlttee could not nothing except under
definite instruction from the House. And
in the absence of such instruction. the
committee has declined to make public
the charges preferred. disclose the con-
tents of the letter touching them, or even
the names of the writer's of them.
1--WE have taken this course" remarked
Judge Jenkins, chairman of the House
Judiciary Committee, today in conserve
tion with your correspondent, for the
reason that the charges are of most
serious character and their publication in
the absence of an investigation into them
might do Judge Boyd a great wrong"
1t was further learned that complaint
has been made of Judge Boyd's personal.
as well as official acts. In fact, the form
er seems to be the most dangerous
''Why, if it were only his refusal to
hold the Wilkesboro court and his action
regarding that court, there would be no
trouble" remarked one member Of the
committee But if ever some of the
things that have been alleged to the com
mittee against him, and that it is claimed
can be proved, come out-well. there il
be such a sensation down in North Caro-
lima as will make te Reed Smoot case
pale into insignifcnce.''
1t was learned that among others who
have called on the committee regarding
the charges against Judge Boyd and who
ment is ex-Congressman Spencer Black
burn and Col. V. S. Lusk. Blackburn re-
viewed the ilkesboro court matter ami
Col. Lusk discussed the situation goner-
ally.
The names of others who have inter
ested themselves in the proposition to i'm
peach Judge Boyd could not be ascer
tanned, though it was stated that the
committee had IN it's possession a large
number of letters and other documents
relating to the case. 1t seems that they
come for most part. from members Of the
Judges own party.
While there has been for more than a
month some desultory talk of impeach.
ment proceedings against Judge Boyd,
1T was known to have emanated from q
source unfriendly to him and little at
tention therefore was paid to it by any
one. But recently it seems there has
been manifested disposition to push the
mtter, and today Chairman Jenkins, Of
the House Judiciary Committee acknowl-
edged that there had been charges pre-
ferred and that they were of ''most Sc
rious and damging nature" and that both
opponents and friends of the Judge had
called on the committee to make inquiries
or discuss the pending charges.
Further affidavits contradicting state
ments of Albright, postmaster at Mount
Airy, were today received by Senator
Simmons and filed with the sub-commit
tee that is Investigating the case.
Thursday, February 4th, a sub com
mittee of the Committee on WAYS and
Means in the House will grant to the
growers of leaf tobacco on the various
bills pending before the committee affect