The Washington times., 1912-08-03
URGES
DROPPING FURTHER
PROBE Of HANFORD
Resignation of Judge Be.
..3lieved to Have Accom-
plished End Desired.

Recommending the abandonment Of
The further impeachment proceedings
on the grounds that the resignation Of
the accused jurist has accomplished the
desired end, the subcommittee Of the
House Judiciary Committee named to
investigate charges against Judge Cor
nelius Hanford, of Seattle, made its re-
port to, the full committee today.
The subcommittee explains that the
taking. OF testimony at Seattle was in
terrupted by the sudden resignation Of
the Judge. Before this, however. the
report states. 2O3 witnesses had heen
examined and 3,291 pages of typewritten
testimony taken.
The subcommittee says the record
shows that Judge Hanford's useful
ness as Federal Judge is over" and
the recommendation is made that the
judiciary Committee approve Of the ac-
ceptance OF his resignation. 1t Is ex-
pected that President Taft will accept
the resignation of Judge Hapford when
the House formally drops the impeach-
ment proeeedings.
The full judiciary Committee probably
will adopt the report of its subcommit-
tee this afternoon. The subcommittee.
which recently returned from Seattle.
consisted Of Congressman Graham, Nc
Coy, and. Higgins.
Report of Committee.
After reviewing the activities Of the
subcommittee at Seattle and citing the
resolution under which impeachment
proceedings against Judge Hanford
were Instituted, the report continues:
F1rst-The chief good which successful
Impeachment proceedings could effect
would be the removal Of Judge Hanford
from the bench. This good his resigna-
tion accomplished. 49,
;Second-The record Of the evidence
shows he Is only sixty-four years old
titled to retire on pay. Therefore. his
resignation brings no emolument or re-
ward, and involves no expenditure OF
public money.
Tihrd-Your subcommittee did not
think 1t necessary or wise to pursue the
matter to a final conclusion merely fol
the purpose of making him ineligible to
hold office in the future. as his age and
the circumstances disclosed by the testi.
mony render such q contingency highly
.Fourth-Bringing the witnesses from
Seattle and vicinity to washington, q
distance of over 1900 miles, to prose
the Senate, would involve an expendi'
ture approximating $4,000.
Other Reasons Discussed.
There were other reasons suggested
and discussed. but those given abov,
were deemed by your subcommitte,
sufficient to Justify them in recon
mending the discontinuance of tn
bearings. -...,. .E. ~
Tour subcommittee further report
that Judge Hanford was represente,
during the hearings by able and learn
ed counsel, namely. e. G. Hughes
Harold Preston and c. w. Dorr. an,
that they were given wide latitud
in the examination Of all the wit
nesses and In the production of evi
dence on behalf of Judge Hanford. g.
that the record further contains sucl
evidence in defense as counsel desire
to offer. as well as the incriminatinl
evidence; and on the whole recor
your subcommittee respectfully sug
gests that 1t clearly appears tina
Judge Hanford's usefulness as a Fed
eral udge Is over; that his persona
and judicial conduct disqualifies hir
for that position and that this com
mittee recommend that his resigna
tion be accepted.