Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1905-01-13
THE ALLEGATION RESENTED
Sharp Exchanges Pass in Discussion
on the impeachment Proceedinqs.-
Lamar Terms Judge Swayre "the
Most LaWIess Man in Elorida.''-
Proceedings Of the House.
(By Associated Press.)

Rouse OF Representatives today devot-
ed its entire session to discussion of
the impeachment charges against
Judge Charles Swayne, of the North
ern district of Florida.
A dramatic incident occurred when
Mr.. LittlefieId. of Maine, called on Mr..
Lamar. Of Florida. who filed the
charges against the judge, to admit
or repudiate an alleged interview
which the former claimed tended to
incite the people to commit an act of
violence against Judge Swayne
Lan1ar's Answer.
Mr. Lamar admitted giving an inter
view, but emphatically denied any sug-
gestion from MIN that could be con
strued into advising assassination or
murder. He said that although Judge
Swayne was known to be the most
lawless man in Florida, he had re-
NAMED secure from bodily harm.
Mr.. Palmer, (PaD, chairman of the
committee OF seven appointed by the
speaker to prepare the case against
Judge Swayne, explained that the ma
]orlty of the committee had reached
their conclusions after most painstak-
ing deliberaton. and it remained for
the House itself TO take such further
action in the case as it might deem
proper.
Reviews the Charges.
Mr. Palmer, defined what constituted
impeachable offenses and said Judge
could be impeached for any misbe-
havlor He then gave resume of the
twelve articles Of impeachment, which
his committee had brought in.
Replying to question by Mr.. Cock
ran. (N. 4.,). as to whether any liti-
CANT was oppressed by the alleged
failure Of Judge Swayne to acquire
a legal residence in his district, Mr..
Palmer said the evidence abounded in
such cases. He discussed at length
the statute governing contempt cases
and said it was so plain that way
faring man or fool may not err there
in That" he said, was where this
man has sinned."
He Will Offer Bill.
Mr.. Palmer evoked loud applause
when raising his voice, he declared
his intention of introducing at the
present session, bill which would
give every man punished for contempt
the right to appeal to some higher
court
Mr.. Palmer reviewed the contempt
cases OF Belden and Davis, saying that
Judge Swayne claimed that the punish
| Inent of the two men was moderate
Il hope" he added, God will be good
to the men that Judge Swayne i'm
poses severe sentence upon
Referring to the real estate trans1
action of Judge Swayne in Pensacola.
Mr.. Palmer said that no other judge
on earth would have done such
thing
Court Reekins With Scandal.
Judge Swayne's court, he said, was
reeking with bankruptcies, scandals
and suicides, and he did not believe
that the Judge had a friend in his dis
| trict
Taking up Statements which have
Judges than Judge Swayne had charged
$40 a day for expenses. Mr. Palmer
vehemently declared that such state
ments were a SANDER on the Judiciary
OF the United States. There is not"
ne said. "a syllable of testimony in
this record or anywhere on earth that
any judge ever did this thing but
Judge Swayne." With much earnest
| ness he added that he made the state
| ment on his responsibility as a mem
Der of the House.
Trying the Case on the Record T..
I'VE are trying this case on the re-
| cord he said, "and not on newspaper
reports, thank Cod To refuse to sup
port the charges. Mr.. Palmer ex-
claimed, would make the members Of
the House the laughing stock of the
United States
The most intense interest was EEK
hibited in the debate Almost every
seat on the floor was quickly taken
and members leaned forward to catch
every word.
| MIR. Littlefield said it grieved him
profoundly that member of the
House had preached Indictment to
assassination and murder
| Il deny any suggestion Of violence
to Judge Swayne.' exclaimed Mr.. La
mar, who further said that the fact
THAT he has remained in my State so
long secure in his lawless career is
evidence of that @
II protest here and now exclaimed
Mr.. Littlefield. that no language put
into the public prints and read by
the common people. and which urges
assassination Of Indictment to murder
is trivial in its character"
Malicious FaIsehood."
! Mr.. Lamar was promptly on lis feet