The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-25
Vote TO be Strictly Along
Party Lines
SENATORS TAKE THE OATH
Impressive Scene Charaeterizes Ap-
pearance of Chief Justice Fuller
In the Senate Chamber-Sum-
mons Served Today.

Washington. January 24-(Special.)-An
the preliminaries to the trial of Judge
Swayne were gone through in the Senate
today.
The floor of the Senate was crowded
and the galleries filled to overhowing
and great attention was given to the pro-
ceedings. The trial will last about three
weeks, off and on. and will end in the
articles of impeachment falling to pass.
The vote will be of a partisan character
on both sides of the Senate, most of the
republicans voting no and nearly all the
democrats aye. 1t will be a useless waste
of time, but as it will defeat freight
rate measure for this Congress the rail-
road senators will not care about a little
thing like that
If the democrats in the House had
been wiser they would have defeated a
proposition only intended to consume
time, for the democrats in the House
knew from the start that the Senate
would not convict Swayne therefore they
should have put the freight measure.
there. The whole thing looks like a re-
publican trick, in which the democrats
were made their tools.
Favorably Commented On.
The result of the House caucus by
democrats last night is favorably COM
mented upon here by democrats generally.
The Endorsement of the Davey bill.
which is long, tedious and cumbersome,
is regarded as wise to remedy the trouble
which the people have against the rail-
roads.
1t is also in direct line with the Presi-
dents views upon the question as ex-
pressed In his message to Congress. OF
course it is hardly possible that any legis-
lation can be effected this session. but
the democrats can very we'll afford to
make their fight for the Davey measure
Considered an Important Step.
The Senate took an important step in
the Impeachment trial of United States
Judge Charles swayne OF the northern
district of Florida. The organization for
the trial was perfected by the swearing
OF the senators for that purpose, the
managers of the House were received
for the purpose of formally presenting
the articles of impeachment and reso-
luton summonig Judge Swayne to ap-
pear was accepted. Mr.. Platt of Con-
necticut was elected 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 Aenate
The ceremony was impressive and was
witnessed by a full Senate and by we'll
filled galleries.
The trial oath was administered to
Senator'S by Chief Justice Fuller, who
appeared in the long black gown worn
by him when sitting in the supreme
court
Estimates as to the length of the
time that the trial will occupy vary from
ten days to month, when 1t Is once
begun. 1t is believed that If Judge
Swayne appears next Friday. he will ask
few days to make answer and when ne
does answer. that a day or two more
will be given to the House for the prep
aration of it's replication. number of
witnesses will be heard and considerable
time will be consumed by attorneys. II
is therefore, probable that the conclu-
sion of the case will not long precede
the day of final adjournment in March.
l. is the purpose of the seators, how
ever, to press the matter as rapidly as
possible. - part of each day will be given
to the trial, when the prelminaries are
disposed OF.
VIII Serve the Summons.
Judge Swayne is now in Wilmington.
Del, and Sergeant-at-A t-Arms Ransdell, of
the Senate. left for that city tonight to
serve the Senates summons on him.
President Pro Tenn Frye announced to
the Senate his decision not 70 preside over
the Senate during the impeachment pro-
ceedings. He said that he had not en-
tireiy recovered his strength since his
cent illness. and feared it would not be
sufficient for that duty, and for his work
as presiding officer in legislative session.
In view of this statement Mr.. Spooner
CONTINUED on Eighth Page.)