Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1905-02-03
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY :. 1905
FAMOUS IMpEArHMh<r CASES.

The recent Impeachment proceedings
against Judge SRaype Ot Florida has
occasionei q research OF the various im-
parchment cases in the history Of this
country. The Pittsburs PrS says:
Impeachment proceedings against
United States officials have not been
rare. though only two c~crvichors have
been found. The tirst Impeachment
case tried by the United States senate
WAS that u William Blouut, senator trou
Tennessee. He WIS accused OF oorspr-
ing With British agents to organize a
q western force Tor the seizure Q! New
Orleans snd al the Spanish territory Of
the southwest. lie was acquitted on the
ground that e senate. Is no; a civil ofi
GER OF the Uni:ed States. The frs;
conviction was thAt q Judge John Pick
eriuE O! the United Stls$r district enuE;
for New hampshire. He was accused
OF drunkenness, profanity OF the bench,
and making decisions e0sSly eontrar!
TO lSS. Insanity Ess pleSiei IN his be
hAli, but on March -, lSO3, the senate
voted him guilty and the penalty vas
expulsion from office. The other sue
oessiul Impeachment Was in 1872, Judge
West II. HunIho,ys o! the United
Ststes district court Tor Tennessee, had
refused to resign after accepting a con-
fedsrsts iuiseship. He WIS convicted
by q unanimous vote.
The most fanops Impeachment; case
in the history q this country Vas thai
OF President Andrew Johnson IN Feb.
ruary 1855. lie Vas accused Of high
crimes and nisisneSaors cited in eleven
articles, and the house voted iupeach.
ment by s gseG; majority. The trAl ID
the senate lasted three weeks and noE-
Eictcn failed b. only one vote. Another
Impeachment famous In its day Was tia,
o. Justice Samuel Chase OF the United
Ststs supreme court, in 1874. From it
sprSrg q nshonsl scandal. Political
feeling in those days rat to extreme
snco When the feie:Alists IL 1890
felt their snip upon power relaxing they
passed a lSw creating d2S.rc; .udgeships
and proceeded to ELL them With s;such
federSlists. President JOHN Adams, or
the dsy OF his retirement, Is said 10 have
worked until midnight appointing
judges. President Jefferson, on vnns
into ohce, found al the iudgeships tiii-
ed With iederAlisis for life. lie sought
to have the Law creating them repealed,
but failed. Then be resor:ed to iu.
Parchment. Pickering was impeachcd.
Chase was attacked, and many others
Sere nArked Tor slaughter. But Al oh.
sscle Was enoountered in Vice Presi-
aen; Aaron Burr. who although Of the
same party as jefferson, presided at the
Chase trial with the upartIality @! an
angel and The risor O! s devil Political
feeling was siited ont Of the evidence
and the charges ~failel. 10 1880 Judge
Peek OF tie United States district cour
Tor Missouri Vas tried by the senate on
an Impeachment which casrScd arbi.
trsry and Improper conduct IN punish.
ING Tor contempt Of ouuri m attorney
Who had published a criticism q. oue OF
Judge Peaks decisions. \ majority Q.
the senate voted 10 acquit after a bnet
bearing. The las: Impeachment. prev,
ious to the present SSsyne case, Was
hat; Ct William W. Belknsr. secretary OF
war, in lSI6. He was accused Of accept,
inS money for the appointment and re,
tentnn o! a post.,rader in Office. After
the house had unanimously voted hi.
Impeachment he resigned and the pro
ceedinEs stopped.