Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-02-27
Judge swayne Acquitted.

promptly at ten D CLOCK tnis mOruinB
the Senate resOly I'd itself into a court
for the express purpose of voting upon
the twelve articles of impeachment found
by the House of Representatives against
Charles Swayne, Judge of the northern
district OF Florida. When ten minutes
Of legislative session had expired every
Senator was in his seat and the aisles at
the sides of the chamber were crowded.
Each article was taken up and veted
on in order.
Only five OF the House managers we're
present Judge Swayne, the respondent,
was not on the floor He paced up and
down the lobby, however, awaiting the
verdict that meant so much to him.
rhe 6rst article. charging the COL
lection from the government of money
for expenses in excess of that actually
expended at Waco, Texas, the amount
being fixed at 1920, was read, and the
presiding officer announced:
Senators, what say you, is Charles
Swayne guilty or not guilty of the first
article OF impeachment"
As the role was called each Senator
arose in his seat, amidst profound
silence, and declared guilty" or mot
guilty." according to his convictions.
Two-thirds of the Senators voting were
necessary to convict.
On article /, the Senate adjudged him
''not guilty." by a vote of 49, to SO. Two
republicans, Kittridge, South Dakota,
and Nelson, Minnesota, voted guilty"
otherwise the voting was on party
lines. Senator Knox, of Pennsylvania,
was excused from voting on the ground
that he had not been able to be present
at all the sessions of the trial.
On article 2, when charged the wrong
full collection of $40 day expenses at
other Texas points, the verdict was also
''not guilty." by so to 80.
On article 3, similar charge, the
verdict was "not guilty" 80 to 32.
On article 4, charging unlawful free
use of private car and transportation on
the Jacksonville, Tampa and Kentucky
West Railway, then in the hands of
receiver the Senate voted mot guilty"
SO to 10.
On this article a number of democrats
who had previously voted guilty changed
to not guilty.
Article 5, another count of the same
charge, "not guilty" 50 to 10.
Article, 6, charging non residence in
his district, "not guilty" 81 to 81.
On article 7, another count of the
same, "not guilty" SO to 10.
On article 8, charging the unlawful
imposition of fine of 500 and i'm.
prisonment for 10 days for contempt Of
court upon Attorney E. T. Davis, mot
guilty." 81 to 81.
On article 8, another count of the
same charge, mot guilty." 81 to 81.
On article 10, another count of the
same charge, "not guilty, 81 to 81.
On article III, another count OF the
same charge, "not guilty" 81 to 81.
Article II, similar charge in the
case OF w. G. ONeal, mot guilty"
AZ to 80.
This completed the call of the
various articles. A resolution was forth
with adopted declaring Judge Swayne
acquitted, and the Senate as a court of
impeachment adjourned sine die.
After each vote the chair would an
nounce the result and would then de-
clare: 'Tess than two thirds Of the
Senators present voting guilty, the
respondent, Charles Swayne, stands ac-
quilted OF the charges contained in the
90 article of impeachment"
At the conclusion of the voting the
presiding officer directed that the secre-
tary record the verdict, which was read.
1t declared that the Senate having tried
Charles Swayne on the twelve articles
of impeachment exhibited by the House
OF Representatives, and less than two
thirds of the Senators having voted
guilty, "it is ordered and a1judged that
the respondent, Judge Charles Swayne,
is acquitted of the charges made and set
forth"
At ll:40 O'Clock the court adjourned
without day.
The announcement of acquittal was
made to the House by the Sergeant at
Arms, of the Senate at 1890. 1t was
received in silence.
1t is understood that Judge SwsYne
will send his resignation to the President
without delay.