The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1912-07-26
JUDGE HANFORD RESIGNS SEAT
! M ( A c M'ENT PROCEEDING
COMES TO A SUDDEN CLOSE,
Lauds Record as He Faiis-tti He.t+h
Given AS Cause for His
Resignation.

Seattle, Wash-United States Ms
trlct Judge c, H. Hanford, the first
federal judge appointed when Wash
lngton was admitted to statehood
tWenty-three years ago, sent his resig
nation Monday to President Taft
while the last witnesses were waiting
TO testify before the house judiciary
subcommittee which has been hear.
ing evidence relative to charges of
misconduct filed against Judge Han
| ford
Al the time set for the hearing a
series or conferences between the
committeeman and Judge Hanford's
attorneys were begun. The proposal
that the Judge resign and the hearing
be discontinued was submitted bv
Judge Hanford's attorneys and accept
ed. The judge sent his resignation by
telegraph to President Taft. At the
same time Chairman Graham of the
subcommittee sent telegram to
Chairman Clayton of the house iu-
| dietary committee telling him of the
changed situation and recommended
the hearings be discontinued. This
was done by message from Chair
man Clayton.
Judge Hanford's chief counsel, Z. c..
Hughes, said after the resignation
that the judge has desired to resign
for several weeks, but could not well
so do with no evidence heard.
Judge Hanford's statement was as
follows:
THE almost constant strain under
which | have worked for more than
twenty-five years has taxed, but not
exhausted, my power of endurance.
am not likely to have vacation or
rest, but a change of occupation will
be welcome relief intend to prac,
tice law in Seattle.
In the investigation which has
been conducted by, a subcommittee OF
the house of representatives much ties.
timony has been given by witnesses
who knew me, and others who do not
| am grateful for the commentator OF
those who have spoken and written in
my favor, and as for those who have
maligned me | only wish to say that
would be ashamed of myself if | had
not incurred the enmity of such peo
pie as they are.
"A Judge is never so sure of being
right than when his work has been
criticised as unfair. Without boast
ing, in view of all that has been and
may be said, and concerning myself
and my work, am glad that my rec
ord is what it is.
Eight supplemental charges against
Hanford were filed directly with the
Judiciary committee of the house by q
Seattle attorney. The house unani
mousIy referred Bergers charges tt
the house judiciary committee, anC
that body appointed subcommittee
to take evidence in Seattle.
This subcommittee began its pro
ceedingS June ~ and continued lts
sessions steadily. The committee call
ed everyone who offered evidence.
Dozens of witnesses testified they
had seen Judge Hanford apparently in
toxicated in the streets, and a few
swore they had seen him APPARENT!
intoxicated in the court room. Man!
of Judge sHanfords friends testified
) that his peculiarities and mannerism'
had been misunderstood.
Judge Hanford, 63 years old, has
lived on Puget Sound fifty-nine years
He was appointed supreme justice o
the territory of Washington in 1883
and on the admission of Washington
to statehood became a district judge