The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1905-02-14
IMPEACHMENT
United States Senate Be-
gan Taking Testi-
mcny
IMPOSING FORMAL|TY

Washington, d. c.. Feb. 10.-For
three hours today the United states
senate sat as a court of impeachment
and began the formal taking of testi-
mony.
Judge Swayne. Of the northern dis
trict of Florida. Delaware man. who
is on trial for certain acts while on
the bench. and in connection with ex-
penses while judicially engaged out
side of his district, was present for
the first time, and closely followed the
impressive ceremony and the examin-
. alton of witnesses.
IS. Except for a slight tinge of red in
the cheeks, and a tightening of the
lips at times, he gave no evidence OF
the emotions he felt while Judge Pal
mer, chairman of the committee or
managers on the part of the house.
caustically laid bare the charges of ig-
norance, vifidictiveness and greed
which stand against him and which
the house managers repeatedly declare
they would be able to prove to the
entire satisfaction of the senate.
Only two witnesses were examined,
hotel keepers of Texas, a man and a
woman. They were merely wanted to
establish the correctness OF certain ac-
tual expenses of Judge Swayne. which
the managers expect to have compar-
ed at the proper time with the govern
ment certificates showing that the re-
spondent secured from the govern
ment money greatly in excess OF that
which he was entitled to.
II was a slow and tedious proceed
ing to the senators. but afforded
much satisfaction to spectators who
had crowded the public and private
galleries long before the hour set for
the body to lay aside Legislative bus
mess for the purpose of sitting as a
iury..f
Although the sergeant-at-arms had
intoned his proclamation FOR the pre-
servation of silence, under pain of i'm
prisonment, there was loud guffaw
from floor and galleries during the ex-
animation of hotel man from Tyler,
Texas
the placer" inquired Mr.. Olmstead,
who was conducting the examination.
"Oh, yes sir" exclaimed the witness
and the risibilities of hundreds of au-
ditors could not be restrained.
The witnesses are not permitted to
sit down. They are required to stand
on the platform in front of the presid-
In Off n
The examination today required
only few minutes. The witnesses
had difficulty in being hea:::
The hotel man who kept the best
house in. Tyler had to go down on the
floor, near the front desks and there
were constant calls for him to speak
louder. ~. ~ ~ -
Mr.. Olmstead. for the convenience
of the court. stood in the main aisle
near the rear. and shot his questions
with catapultic force. He was great
favoritez with the galleries.
Judge Swaynes attorneys purpose to
contest every inch of the ground.
They objected to Judge Palmer even
referring in his presentation to tes-
timony given by Swayne before the
house committee. They contended
that, under the law. such testimony
could not be used to his disadvantage.
There will be fight over this ques-
tion later. Judge Swayne appeared be-
fore the committee voluntarily. 1t
was investigating the charges against
him. He made admissions which the
house managers declare were very
damaging and Judge Palmer announc-
ed that before final ruling later on
the question of admissibility of such
evidence when it was offered. he wish
ed to present an argument.
During the entire session the Dem
ocratic side of the chamber was oc-
cupied. Not senator left his seat
House members occupied chairs plac-
ed in the open spaces in the rear of the
chamber.
But before Judge Palmer had got
half through his two hours presenta-
ton, not, half the Republican senators
were In the chamber. They returned
before the examination of witnesses
was begun. s,ev