Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-28
BOONE ON THE STAND
Closely Examined as to Al
legged Forged Letter.
CHAIRMAN INDIGN ANT
OBJECTED TO THE STYLE OF WIT
NESS TESTIMONY.
Resumption Of the Hearing in the Case
of Judge Swayne at the
Capitol.
CHAIRMAN INDIGN ANT

The hearing before the subcommittee OF
the House committee on the Judiciary In
the investigation of Judge Charles Swayne
of the northern district of Florida was re-
sumed this morning. Mrs. Susan Lyle
Downs of Waco, Tex, who was the first
witness called, testified that Judge Swayne
stayed at boarding house kept by her for
three terms of his court, and paid at the
rate of $40 a month for himself, or $65 a
month for himself and wife, The treasury
records show that during the period men
toned Judge Swayne charged the govern
ment at the rate Of about $500 month for
his actual expenses.
Going Over the Boone Letter.
Robert J. Boone, whose cross-examination
was begun Saturday, was called. Boone
was severely arraigned by Chairman Pal
mer on Saturday for his connection with
the Hoskins bankruptcy proceedings which
forms a part Of the allegations against
Judge Swayne. In his examination Satur-
day the witness chafed under the ques-
tions OF Judge Liddon, counsel for the In,
terests in opposition to Judge Swayne, and
was frequently sharply reprimanded by
Chairman Palmer
The letter signed Robert j. Boone" and
tending to indicate that the Hoskins' bank
rCptcy proceedings were not brought IN
good faith was shown to Boone. Saturday
he declared the letter a forgery. Judge
Ljddon today showed that the communica-
ton was written on Boone's Office letter
head and signed with rubber stamp re-
sembling that used by Boone. The color
of the ink and the type used resembled
that Of letters which Boone has admitted
having signed. In his effort to prove that
the letter which Boone branded as a
forgery and those which he had admitted
were practically identical as to mechanical
Getail Judge Liddon followed the example
of Sherlock Holmes and. with the witness,
went over the letters in detail picking out
the typographical peculiarities in each and
comparing them.
Boone's Reflections Not Permitted.
While Boone vas under redirect exami-
nation he went out of his way to make a
statement rejecting on the integrity of
Haskins, the principal in the bankruptcy
proceedings.
Stop right there exclaimed Chairman
Palmer, sharply. Then turning to ex-Sen-
ator Higgins, counsel for Judge Swayne,
Mr.. Palmer remarked: II won't say what
l was going to- senator. But the DISPOSE
ton of this witness to blacken old man
Haskins every time he has chance will
not be allowed
Mr.. Higgins thereupon admonished Boone
to confine his answers to the questions
asked.
The witness denied the charge that he
had conspired with John M. Calhoun,
another lawyer of Mariana, Fla, to put
w. H. Haskins into bankruptcy. that his
motives were-improper. or that wrongful
methods were employed.
WAS 1t not the right of the petitioning
creditors Mr.. Higgins asked the witness,
ito induce other creditors to sign the petit
ton in bankruptcy, so as to make up the
necessary aggregate of clams?
You're asking the witness to give an
opinion" objected Judge Liddon.
well, he's lawyer" responded counsel
for the defense, 81 am endeavoring to bring
out something about the methods employ
ed"
You will find out" remarked Chairman
Palmer, ''if you read the majority report of
this committee, what we think about the
methods"
But some accusations have been made
against the Witness" said Mr. Higgins.
Then you must be defending Boone in
stead of Judge Swayne," responded Mr.
Palmer, closing the colloquy