Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-07
ALL FOR ROOSEVELT
Southern Republicans Favor
His Candidacy.
GEN. BELDEN TALKS
PEOPLE ARE WITH PRESIDENT
ON CANAL QUESTION.
Believe in His Efforts to Free the De-
partments From Corruption
Charges Against Judge Swayne.

Gen. Simeon Belden of New Orleans,
distinguished lawyer Of Louisiana, is in
Washington. Gen. Belden is engaged in a
case before the United States Supreme
Court but has not been able to leave his
hotel for the past week as a result of an at
tack Of rheumatism with which he has been
suffering. He is much better today and ex-
poets to be able to go on with his case next
week He is one of the best known repub-
licans in the south. Born in Louisiana, he
is graduate of Yale of the class of 1850. lie
espoused the cause of the confederacy dur
ing the civil war and rose to the rank of
brigadier general. After the war he aff1lat-
ed with the republican party and became
active in politics. He was elected to the
Louisiana legislature and was speaker OF
the lower house and afterward held the
office of attorney general for the state for
FIVE years. Although he does not now take
an active part in the political campaigns,
Gen. Belden is considered one of the wisest
of political councillors, and he has kept in
close touch with the affairs of his party
People Favor Roosevelt's Nomination.
my visit to Washington has no political
significance whatever" he said today. Il
am here to give attention to legal business
before the United States Supreme Court
OF course, 1 expect to call upon our leading
republican statesmen while l am here.
There is not much expression of opinion in
Louisiana regarding the next presidential
election" he continued, in answer to
question.
I'VE have question as to President
Roosevelt being a candidate, and have
heard the name of Senator Hanna mention
ed in that connection, although 1t is gener-
ally understood that Senator Hanna will
not be candidate. Senator Hanna is indi-
vidually and politically very much idolized
by the southern republicans.
President Roosevelt has added greatly to
his popularity in our region within short
time past by his manly and courageous eff
forts to eradicate all corruption in the de-
partments of the government, even remov-
ing governor and judge In our territories
for misconduct and corruption; and, apart
from these reasons, his popularity has re-
Gently been very much heightened by the
prompt and vigorous manner in which he
has met and finished the Panama canal in
cdents. He has closed an international
question of commercial rights that has an
noyed our nation for more than half Of a
century. The gulf states will stand with
him in the final determination OF the Pana-
ma canal matter regardless of any political
schemes to force it on the people as party
measure. People are now looking for sub
stance, not shadows; realities, not dreams"
Charge Against Judge swayne.
Gen. Belden was asked his opinion of the
charges filed against Judge Charles Swayne
of the federal judicial district which en-
braces part of his state, and which are now
under investigation here with a view to the
probable impea chment of Judge Swayne.
Judge Swayne is district judge of the
northern district of Florida" Gen. Belden
said, land presides both as circuit and dis
trict judge. He has been judge in said dis
trict about twelve years. l have personal
knowledge of many of the charges against
him, as have been practicing in the United
s.l. H. fIAr rny
about twenty years, but as the charges are
now in the hands Of the judiciary commit
tee of the House of Representatives 1t
would seem to be indicate for me to go
into details. They are extremely serious,
and WILL no doubt, be thoroughly examined
into by the committee of distinguished rep
resentatives to whom the charges are re-
ferred. There have been two joint resolu-
lions of the general assembly of Florida
charging Judge Swayne with being suscept-
ible of corrupt influences and asking Con-
gress to examine into his conduct. At the
time of the adoption of the first resolution
there were several republican members In
the general assembly, and they supported
the resolution unanimously. do not know
why they were not acted upon as the state
requested. Perhaps her congressman know
No Political Prejudice.
"There are great many northern and
western men, with their families, residing
in Florida, engaged in every character OF
business. and generally republicans in poll
tics, and 1 certain they would testify
that political prejudice OF persecution has
no abiding place in Florida.
There is no malice, ill-feeling or revenge
that prompts the people of west Florida to
make these charges against Judge Swayne
They sincerely believe that he is guilty, and
as matter of right submit the charges
against him to Congress for examination,
being the only authority that can grant re-
lief
There is no American community where
the people so thoroughly appreciate an in
corruptible judge the people of west
Florida
AVN a