Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-12-06
JUDGE PROSTITUTED
OFFICE FOR PROFIT,
DECLARES CLAYTON
leader of House Prosecution
in the Impeachment Trial of
Judge Robert w, Archibald
Severely Scores Jurist


WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.-For the
ninth time in its history the senate
convened today as a high court Of i'm
parchment. this time TO try Judge Rob
ert w. Archibald. OF the commerce
court on thirteen separate charges al
legged 10 constitute high crimes and
misdemean0rs." Counsel for the judge
has admitted commission OF all OF the
acts alleged. but denied that any was
improper.
TIE court adopted formal orders set
ting the hour OF meeting daily az
o'clock and providing that the opening
statements OF the case should be made
By one person on each side. That WIN
confne the opening statements TO Rep
resentative Clayton, who had been oes-
frnated By the house managers ana
a. s. WOrthington. chief counsel Tor
Judge Archibald.
The court then recessed until :
o'clock after a session or about nVe
minutes.
When court resumed Representative
CLAYTON began a statement or the case
against Judge Archibald. he covered
the evidence brought out In the hearing
before the house judiciary committee
widely published at the time and re-
,i.wed the formal charges lodged with
the court. published several months
..Tbe testimony in the whole case viii
tand "a support the charge Of misbeha-
<-ior IN the conduct OF Judge Archibald
aid Representative Clayton. he mas
shown an abnormal and unjudge-hke
desire TO make money by trading with
railroads and their subsidiary eompa-
nies" He declared Judge Archbald's
Hensa OF morality had become deadened."
..Hs has prostituted his high office
for personal profit In an attempt TO
make gainfuI bargains with present or
possible Mtigants before his court. he
has commerciaIized his potentiality as
a Judge concluded 1Tr. Clayton.
A. 5. Worthington. taking up the de-
tense or Judge Achbald. declared the
3urist had not committed a defense pun
ishable By law" and that the house
against him that could justify cOnvic-
ton By the senate
The house was represented By sew
en- managers. who act as prosecutors
They are Representatives Clayton, Of
Alabama: Webb. OF North Carolina;
Floyd, OF Arkansas: Davis. OF West Vir-
Einia: Sterling. Of Illinois; Rowland. Of
Ohio. and Norris. OF Nebraska
A s. Worthington. OF Washington.
with Alexander Simpson, Jr., Of Phila-
delphfa represent Judge Archibald
The charges against Judge Archibald
arose in connection with private and ON
cfal acts both as a judge OF the court
OF commerce and as United States dis
trict Judge for middle Pennsylvania he
was Impeached BY the house OF repre-
sentatives after a fun investigation OF
the facts By the department OF justice.
and extended hearings before the house
judiciary committee
The house managers urged the sen
ate to grant an fmmediate trial
but that body declined TO hear
the case before the end OF the last SEES
sion.
THIRTEEN SEPARATE CHARGES.
Thirteen separate articles constitute the
basis for the impeachment trial These
embrace dealings between Judge Arch
had and railroad officials and others
IN regard to Pennsylvania coal or "culm'
dumps and coal lands; contributions by
attorneys and others 20 the judges va
cation trip to Europe In 1910; reputed
secret correspondents BY the Judge
with a railroad attorney concerning q
pending case: and alleged attempts to
have notes payable 10 Judge Archibald
discounted BY attorneys and htigants be-
fore his court.
In presenting the case 10 the house,
Representative Clayton said that the judi
cfary COMMITTEES was OF the opinion that
sponsibuity had become deadened" and
that he had 'prostituted his high office
for personal profit" The principal charge
grew out OF the Katydid culm bank deal.
In this charge II was asserted that while
the Erie Railroad company had pend
ing before the commerce court two suits
Judge Archibald. eorruptly taking advan-
tage OF his official position. induced the
officials OF the Hillside Coal and Iron
company and OF the Erie railroad. which
owned that company. 10 agree to sell the
coal company's interest In the RAtydid
dump to Judge Archibald and Edward J.
Williams.
DENIES CORRUPTION.
In his answer Juge Archibald denied
that he had acted eorruptly, or had taken
advantage OF his position. His attorneys
took the position that II was not a crime
for federal judge to become interest
ed I'm an attempt 70 purchase property
from one who was or might become q
htgant before his court They declared
that no attempt was made to get the
property for less than its fair value.
Another prominent charge was thar
Judge Archibald undertook for a consic-
GRAFTON 20 assist George NJ. Watson, an
attorney OF Scranton. Pa, 10 settle a
reparation suit brought by the Marion
Coal company against the Delawars,
Lackawanna and Western Railroad COM
pany, and 20 sell for c. @. Boland and
W. P. Boland, a large portion OF the
stock OF the Marion Coal company to
the railroad. In his answer Judge Arch
bald declared he acted in this matter
merely as a friend OF Watson and c. q.
Boiand, without ever having received
suggestion OF compensation.
IN response to every charge attorpavs
Tor Judge Archibald replied that the acts
charged did not constitute an impeach-
able offense, or a high crime or iaizde-
meanor, as defined I'm the constitution