Norwich bulletin., 1912-07-23

Hantord, the first federal judge ap- pointed when Washington was admit ted to statehood 23 years ago, sent his resignation today to President Taft, while the last witnesses were waiting to testify before the house judiciary committee which has been hearing evidence relative to charges of mis- conduct filed against Judge Hanford. Resignation Followed Conference.
 At the time set for the hearing this morning. a series of conferences be- tween the committeeman and Judge Banford's attorneys was begun. The proposal that the judge resign and the hearing be discontinued was sub mitted by Judge Hanford's attorneys and accepted by the committee. Judge Hanford sent his resignation by tele- graph to President Taft at 10.90 o'clock. going in person to the tele- graph office with his message. At the same time Chairman Graham of the subcommittee sent a telegram to Chairman Clayton of the House Judi ciary committee. telling him of the changed situation and recommending that the hearings be discontinued.
 Proceedings Discontinued.
 Then Chairman Graham returned to the court room and announced a. re- cess until ? D. m. At the hour set for the reassembling. no word had been received from Chairman Clayton and there was delay until message came directing that the hearings be disc0n- tinued. The committee will leave to- morrow for Washington, taking a vol luminous record of the 20 days testi- mony and also the records of the law suits on which most of the cases against Judge Hanford will be based IL is the general understanding that no further action of any kind will be taken by the House.
 Decided to Resign Several Weeks Ago. Judge Hanford's chief counsel. E. c. Hughes, said after the resignation that the judge had decided to resign for several weeks. but could not well do so with no evidence heard in the case. The judge and his friends. according to counsel are satisfied with the show ing made by him in the hearing which, they say did not sustain the charges That the judge was anxious to re- sign was kept a secret from all per sons in Washington and from ever body in Seattle except his counsel.
 Judge Hanford's Statement.
 Judge Hanford's statement to the public follows: The almost constant strain under which I have worked for more than % years has taxed but not exhausted my powers of endurance. I am not likely to have a vacation of rest, but a change of occupation will bring re- lief l intend to practice law in Seat tic.
 Proud to incur Certain Enmities.
 In the investigati tion which has been conducted by a sub- committee of the House of Representatives much has been given by witnesses who know me and by others who do not l am grateful for the commendation of those who have spoken and have writ len in my favor and as for those who have injured me I only wish to say that I would be ashamed of myself if ] had not incurred the enmity of such people as they are.
 Glad of His Record.
 "A judge is never so sure of being right as when his work has been crit icised unfairly Without boasting, in view of all that has been and may be said and concerning myself and my work. l am glad that my record is what it is."
 Denounced Nearly Year Ago.
 Judge Hanford has been much in the public eye since August 25, 1911, when. after he had issued an injunc- ton hostile to the position of Seattle citizens in fve-cent fare fight against a street ear company, he was denounced at a great mass meeting and resolutions demanding his i'm peachment were adopted. While the meeting was in progress crowd out aee hanged in effigy a stuffed figure labelled "Hanford."
 Watched by Detectives.
 One of the speakers at the meeting sa i'd that he had seen Judge Hanford intoxicated in a public place The speakers at this meeting were arresA cd for interfering with n order of the court. and some of them were kept in prison for several days. It appeared from the evidence in the hearing just ended that detectives were at once detailed to watch Judge Hsnford and that every move he made from morn ing until late at night was recorded
 Revoked Socialists Citizenship,
 Several members of congress were consulted relative to beginning i'm peachment proceedings against the judge.
 In the spring of this year, during the Industrial Workers of the World dem onstration in western Washington, Judge Hanford condemned the carry ing of the red flag through the streets. On May 10 Judge Hanford revoked the citizenship papers of Leonard Ol- son of Tacoma, a member of the so- cialist labor party and of the In- dustrial Workers of the World, be- cause usson in appearing as a wit ness for another mans citizenship had said in answer to a question that he was mot deyotedly attached" to the constitution.
 Berger Brings Charges.
 The national convention of the so- cialfst party at Indianapolis, took mo- tice of Hanford's decision and asked Congressman Victor Berger to bring impeachment charges against Han ford
 Berger introduced the charges on June l6. accusing ILanford of render ing corrupt decisions and of being a habitual drunkard
 Eight supplementary charges against lianford were filed directly with the judiciary of the house made by a Seattle attorney. The house unani- mously referred Berger's charges to the house Judiciary committee, and that body appointed a sub committed composed of Representatives James A, Graham of Illinois. Walter l. Mccoy of New Jersey and Edwin w. Hig gins of Connecticut, to take evider"e In Seattle.