The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1912-07-23
While House Com
mittee Is Clearing Up
Preliminaries to I'm
peachment Proceed
ings Against Him,
Aged Washington
Jurist Quits

Seattle, July 23.--United states Dis
trict Judge c. II. Hanford. the first
FEDERAL judge appointed when Wash
ington was admitted to statehood, 90
years ago, sent his resignation today
to President Taft while the last batch
OF witnesses were waiting to testify
before the house judiciary sub-com-
m'itee. which has been hearing evi-
dcnce relative to charges OF miscon-
duet filed against Judge Hanford In
Washington. At the time set for the
hearing this morning n series of con-
ferences between the committeeman
and Judge Hanford's attorneys waa
begun The proposal that the Judge
resign and the hearing be discontn-
ued was submitted by Judge Han
ford's attorneys ana accepted by the
committee. Judge Hanford sent his
resignation by telegraph to President
Taft at 1880 o'clock, going In person
to the telegraph office with the mos
sage. At the same time Chairman
Graham Of tho sub committee sent a
telegram TO Chairman Clayton of the
house judiciary committee. telling him
OF tie change I'm the situation and
recommending that the hearings he
discontinued. Chairman Graham then
returned to the courtroom and an
nounced n recess until 2 y. m. At the
hour set for reassembling no word
had been received from Chairman
| Clayton and there was a delay until
"A message came directing that the
hearings be discontinued. Tho COM
mittec will leave for Washington to-
morrow, taking voluminous record
of 20 days testimony and also the
records Of the lawsuits upon which
most OF the charges against Judge
Iianford were based II Is the general
understanding that no further action
Of any kind will be taken by the
house
Satisfied With Evidence.
Judge Hanford's chief counsel. Il. G.
Hughtcs. said after the resignation.
that Judge Hanford had decided to re-
sign several weeks ago 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 showing made by him In the hear
Ing. which, they say, aid not sustain
the charges
That the judge was anxious to re-
sign was kept n secret from all per-
sons In Washington and from every
body In Seattle except his counsel.
Hanford's Statement.
Judge Hanford's statement to tho
public follows:
The almost constant strain under
which ! have worked for more than 22
| years has taxed, but not exhausted, my
powers of endurance. ! am not likely
! to have vacation or rest, but a
change of occupation will be a well
come relief. l intend to practice law
In Seattle.
In the investigation which has bccn
conducted by a subcommittee of tho
house of representatives. much testi-
mony has been given by witnesses who
know me. and by 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 I
would he ashamed OF myself II l had
not incurred the enmity of such people
as they are.
! "A Judge IL never 80 sura OF being
right ms when his work has been crit :
| iciscd unfairly. and without boasting.
| IN view of all that has been and may
be said OF and concerning myself and
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