The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-01-25
THE SENATE
 AS A COURT Ready For the Trial of
 Swayne. PLATT COMM TO PRESIDE OathS Administered by Chief
 Justice Fuller. Accused Judge Ordered to Appear Fri- day at 1 r. M. to Make Answer to the Charges Brought
 Against Him.

Washington. Jan. 2a.-The Senate today took an important step in the Impeachment trial of United States Judge Charles Swayne of the Northern District of Florida. The organization for tho trial was perfected by the swearing of the Senators for that pur- pose: the managers of the House were received for the purpose of formally presenting the articles of impeachment and resolution summoning Judge Swayne to appear was accepted.
 Mir. Platt of Connecticut was elect- ed to preside at the trial sessions. Further proceedings were postponed until next Friday when Judge swayne is expected to appear before the bar of the Senate In response to the summons of the Senate. The ceremony was im- pressivc and was witnessed by full Senate and by we'll filled galleries
 The trial oath was administered to Senators by Chief Justice Fuller, who appeared lin the long black gown worn by him when sitting in the Supreme Court.
 Estimates as to the length of time that the trial will occupy vary from ten days to a month when 1t is once begun. It Is believed that If Judge Swayne appears next Friday he will ask a few days to make answer and when he does answer that day or two more will be given to the House for the preparations of its replication.
 WilI Try to Hurry Things. A number of witnesses will be heard and considerable time will be consumed by attorneys. It is there- fore probable that the conclusion of the case will not long precede the day of final adjournment in March. It is. N ~. press the matter as rapidly as possi- ble. A part of each day will be given to the trial when the preliminaries are disposed of
 Judge swayne Is now in Wilmington. Del, and, Sergeant at Arms RansdelL of the Senate left for that city to- night to serve the Senase's snnEInUnS' on him.
 The first material evidence that the Senate Is about to enter upon the Swayne impeachment trial appeared in the Senate chamber at the beginning of the session today in the shape Of half dozen chairs placed inside the bar. They were located in the front of the first row of seats on the Republi- can side of the chamber.
 The conference Upon the Philippine railroad bill was agreed to without discussion.
 Mir. Proctor from the Committee on Military Affairs, reported the army ap- propriation bill.
 Convictions for Wife Beating. A resolution calling dpon the Com missioners of the District of Columbia | for a statement giving the number of convictions for wife beating In the Dis l trict for the past five years introduced by Mr. Gallinger was adopted, as was also a resolution by MT. Stewart, calI- ing on the Interstate Commerce Com mission for a list of the stockholders in railroad corporations in the United States.
 The managers on the rart of the house in the impeachment charges against Judge Swayne made their ap- pearance at the main doors of the senate at 12:30 o'clock. Their appear ance caused the immediate cessation of all other business and the injunction of silence delivered by the sergeant at arms was not needed to secure the closest attention on the part of all present both on the floor and in the galleries.
 Of the seven managers only five ap- peared, Messrs. Powers and Olmstead group in tho rear of the chamber, headed by MT. Palmer. their chairman, and were immediately announced by Alonzo II. Stewart, assistant sergeant at arms of the senate, who said:
 'T have the honor to announce the managers of the House of Representa- lives to conduct the impeachment pro- ceedings against Charles Swayne. Judge of the northern district of Flor ida"
 sTIear Ye Hear Ne" ResOunds.
 The managers were then escorted to their seats by Sergeant at Arms Rans- dell who after seating them ascended to the seat of the president pro tenn, where he demanded silence and said:
 Hear ye, hear ye. hear ye. All per sons are commanded to keep silent on pain of imprisonment while the House of Representatives is exhibiting to the senate of the United States articles of Impeachment against Charles Swayno, district judge for the northern district of Florida"
 Mir Palmer was then recognized and read the article of impeachment. Inn mediateIy afterwards, the house man. agers withdrew and Mir. Fairbanks presented a resolution providing for the appoln tment of a committee of two ser ators to await upon the chief Justice and ask him to appear in the senate chamber at D. m., and admin ister the necessary oaths to senators as members of the impeachment court. The resolution was agreed to and MeSSrS. I diTOdHho dIAu DdSOl were dp- pointed to perform that duty.
 When the resolution introduced by Senator Bacon making inquiry of the president concerning details of the ag- reement between the United States and Santo Domingo came up, MT. Lodge moved to refer it to the commit tee on foreign relations, and after some discussion this motion prevail ed.
 When the matter was disposed of, President Pro Tempore Frye announ- ced to the senate his decision not to preside over the senate during the impeachment proceedings. He said that he had not entirely recovered his strength since his recent illness and feared 1t would not be sufficient for that duty and for his work as presid- ing officer in legislative sessions. In view of this statement Mir. Spooner offered resolution providing for the appointment of Mir. Platt Of Connecti- cut to preside over the impeachment court and it prevailed.
 Payment of Expenses.
 A resolution by Mir. Allison authoriz-