Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-01-13
SCENE IN THE HOUSE.

day devoted its entire session to discus
sion of the impeachment charges against
Judge Chas. Swayne, of the Northern
District OF Florida. A dramatic in
cident occurred when Mr.. Little6eld, of
Maine, called on Mr.. Lamar, of Florida,
who filed the charges against the judge,
to adlait or repudiate an alleged inter-
view which the former claimed tended
TO incite the people to commit an act of
violence against Judge Swayne. Mr..
Lamar admitted giving an interview,
but emphatically denied any suggestion
from him that could be construed into
advising assassination or murder.
Mr.. Lamar said that any language
imputing to him the statement that
Judge Swayne's lie was in danger was
absolutely incorrect, but had said that II
the proceedings in the House terminated
in nothing it would be because the House
did not understand the conditions in
Florida; that he looked up Judge
Swayne "as utterly corrupt and utterly
tyrannical and the most lawless man in
the State of Florida"
Mr.. Lamar declared that he stated in
the interview "that if nothing appealed
to Judge Swayne, neither law nor hui
manity, in his own lawless career, then
| would point out to him the fact that
his arbitrary and tyrannical action
might result in sorse ill-ordered brain or
soi1e revengeful brain that suffered
at his hands inHicting violence upon
him."
The most intense interest was ex-
hibited in this phase of the debate, and
members leaned forward to catch every
word.
Mr.. Littlefeld said itgrieved him pro-
foundly that member of the House had
preached "incitement to assassination and
murder"
'l deny any suggestion of violence to
Judge Swayne," exclaimed Mr.. Lamar,
Who further said that "the fact that he
has remained in my State so long secure
in his lawless career is evidence of that. "
"Do YOU think" interected Mr. Rob-
inson (Ark.), addressing Mr.. Little6eld,
'aft.r the statement by the gentleman
from Florida, that he justified assassi-
nation %
81 protest here and nOw," exclaimed
Mr.. Littleheld, that no language put
into public prints and read by the COM
mon people, and which urges assassina-
ton or incitemet to murder is trivial in
its character"
Mr.. Lamar was promptly on his feet
and declared that while he did not think
Mr. LittIefeld Intentionally charged
him with melting murder, Mr.. Little
field certainly had almost blindly nis-
apprehended what really was said. If,
said Mr.. Lamar, anyone used his
language in the interview to impute
that he suggested violence to Judge
Swayne he would denounce it as a
malicious falsehood.
"The gentleman's denunciation dis
turos nobody" replied Mr. Littleheld,
who added that, unfortunately for Mr..
Lamar, the ordinary citizen of The
United States would so construct, "and
| it is tor that reason the language does
great violence to the character OF the
distinguished gentleman from Florida. "
General applause greeted an inquiry
by Mr.. Gaines Tenn. why DIR. Little
field did not confine himself to dis
cussion of the record, as he short time
before was "kicking" about it not being
done.
"Is the gentleman disturbed ~ sar-
casticaly retorted Mr.. Littleheld.
A storm Of applause followed the re,
ply of Mr.. Gaines that he was disturbed
in his confidence in Mr.. Little6eld' $ fair
mindedness! Mr.. Liltlefeld then de,
clared that a part of the testimony o.
Judge Swayne was not reported, anc
asked who did the reporting.
ooh" answered Mr.. Palmer, "tht
colored man employed by the judiciary
committee" =.
Mr.. Littlefeld charged that the judi
ciary committee had edited out OF thu
record certain statements of Judg'
Swayne which they embodied in thel
report. ii,
Mr.. Palmer (Pa.), chairman OF tn
committee OF seven appointed by IN
Speaker to prepare the case agains
Judge Swayne, explained that the ma
iority of the committee had reaches
their conclusions after most painstskinI
deliberstion, and it remained for IN
House itself to take such further actor
in the case as it might deem proper.
Replying to question by Mr.. Cock
ran III. Y. as to whether any litigan
was OF pressed by the alleged failure 0
Judge Swayne to acquire legal residenc
. in his district, Mr.. Palmer said tn
evidence aboanded in such cases. ID
discussed at length the statute governing
contempt cases, and said it was "s
Main that a wayfaring man or fool ma.
not err therein" That, he said, wa
.swhere this man has sinned. "
Mr.. Palmer reviewed the contempt
cases of Belden end Davis, saying tha
Judge Swayne claimed the punishmen
of the two men was moderate.
81 hope" be added, "God will b
good to the men that Judge Swsyne Inn
: poses severe sentence upon.
Referring to the real estate TRANSACTION
of Judgeswaynein Penss cola, MIR. Paim
er said that no other judge on cart
would have done such thing.
/. Judge Swsyne's court, he said, wa