Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-05-07
IMPEACHMENT FOR
MISSOURI JUDGES2
CONGRESSMAN MURPHY AN
NoUNCES ON FLOOR OF HOUSE
THAT HE WILL FILE IIPEACH-
MENT CHARGES AT ONCE.


clusion Of a lengthy statement in the
house today regarding his resolution of
inquiry into the official conduct Of Fed
eral Judges Mcpherson and Phillips, OF
the western district OF Missouri. Repre-
sentative Murphy. of that state, an
nounced that he would present formal
charges of impeachment.
Mr.. Murphy brought the matter as g
question OF personal privilege. The res
olution involves the conduct of the
judges In relation TO the two-cent pas
senger fare litigation and themaximum
freight law OF Missouri.
Reads the Newspapers
Mr.. Murphy had read some newspaper
dispatches to the effect that Frank Hag-
erman. attorney for eighteen railroads,
had telegraphed the attorney general Of
the United States alleging that the
charges In the Murphy resolution were
IAN outrageous tissue of misrepresenta-
ton by one who has no knowledge of the
facts" He said he had confirmed the
fact that such a telegram had been re-
ceived by Attorney General Wickersham.
Mr.. Clayton, of Alabama, a member Of
the judiciary committee. objected, say
ing that the argument was not one of
personal privilege.
Speaker Cannon ruled that Mr.. Murphy
was within his rights and could continue,
but he had not proceeded far when Mr..
Henry, of Texas, another member of the
judiciary committee, stopped him with an
inquiry as to whether he did not intend
to formally bring in charges of impeach-
ment.
Rucker- Hot Reply
The Missouri member. however, did not
give a direct answer, but continued his
recital of the charges contained in his
resolution. He called on Mr.. Rucker, his
college, TO substantiate what he was say
ing.
Mr.. Rucker did so. and declared that
Judge Philips should have been impeach-
ed twenty years ago.
Continuing. Mr.. Murphy denied that the
state OF Missouri had been accorded ev-
cry courtesy in the rate cases, as was
stated In MIR. Hagerman's telegram The
state, he declared. had no knowledge or
notice whatever Of the first Injunction in
theses cases.
The house then adjourned. and immedi-
ately thereafter Mr.. Murphy notified
members Of the judiciary committee that
ne would at once formulate formal
judges.
RULING OF MCPHERSON
IN RAILROAD RATE CASE
KANSAS CITY. May s.-JudVe Smith
McPherson today In a statement from tha
bench In the United States court here
indicated that he believed the recent suit
brought by Seebert Jones, circuit attor-
ney OF st. Louis, enJolning the railroads
OF missouri from charging a three-cent
fare, had violated the injunctive order Of
the federal court which restrained the
state courts sIC state officials from pro
ceeding against the carriers In the pres-
emit litigation.
The judge added that, on the other
hano. he did not consider any action of
Attorney General Elliott w. Majors. I'M
to this time could be considered in con-
tempt. '
Il do not to prejudice this case" the
judge said, but my present opinion is
that iCrcuft Attorney Jones has infringed
upon the Jurisdiction OF this court"
The remarks Of the court came at the
opening of the arguments on temporary
restraining order against the state Off
Gals recently issued by Federal Judge
John F. Phillips. in the absence from the
city of Judge Mcpherson.
The principal arguments today were
made by Jeptha Howe. of st. Louis, for
the state and by Frank Hagerman, of
Kansas City, for the railways
BOTH JUDGES SILENT;
WAITING FOR FILING
KANSAS CITY, Mo-, May ST have
nothing TO say at this time, and will make
no statement until Representative Muir
ply formally presents his charges of i'm
parchment" said Judge Philips when
shown the Washington dispatch.
Judge Mcpherson also declined to make