Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1912-07-26
HANFORD resigns
HIS JUDGESHIP
GIVES As A REASON HIS FAIL
ING HEALTH, BUT WILL
PRACTICE LAW.
His Action Will Probably Mean the
Abandonment of Impeachment Pro-
ceedings in Congress-He Has Been
Federal Judge Ever Since Washing
ton Was Made State.

Seattle. - United States District
Judge Cornelius H. Hanford, the first
federal judge appointed when Washing
ton was admitted to statehood 23 years
ago, sent his resignation Monday to
President Taft while the last batch of
witnesses were waiting to testify be-
fore the house judiciary subcommittee
which has been hearing evidence rela-
tive to charges of misconduct filed
against him in Washington. Ill health
is given as the reason. At the time
set for the hearing this morning a
series of conferences between the com
mitteemen and Judge Hanford s attor-
neys was begun. The proposal that
the judge resign and the hearing be dis
continued was submitted by Judge Han
ford's attorneys and accepted by the
committee. Judge Hanford sent his
resignation by telegraph to President
Taft at 1890 O'Clock, going in person
to the telegraph Office with the message.
At the same time Chairman Graham of
the subcommittee sent telegram to
Chairman Clayton of the house judici-
airy committee, telling him of the
change of the situation and recommend
ing that the hearings be discontinued.
Judge Issues Statement.
Judge Hanford g statement to the
public follows:
"The almost constant strain under
which 1 have worked for more than
% years has taxed, but not exhaust
ed, my power of endurance. 1 am not
likely to have vacation or rest, but
chance Of occupation will be well
come relief. 1 intend to practice law
in Seattle.
'In the investigation which has been
conducted by a subcommittee of the
house of representatives much testi
mony has been given by witnesses who
know me and by other who do not
1 am grateful for the commentator
Of those who have spoken and written
in my favor, and as for those who
have maligned me, 1 only to wish tC
say that l would be ashamed of myself
if 1 had not incurred the enmity OF
such people as they are. judge is
never so sure of being right as wher
his work has been criticized unfairly
and, without Boosting, in view of al
that has been and may be said of and
concerning myself and my work, an
glad that my record is what it is. -
Appointed in 1888.
Judge Hanford has lived on Puget
Sound SO years and is 60 years old
He appears much older because of hi
white hair and beard, and his small
bent figure. He was appointed su
preme justice of the territory of Wash
ington in 1888, at the instance of Johl
B. Allen, who had just been elected
delegate to congress and who was al
intimate friend of Hanford. On tn
admission of Washington to statehood
Hanford became district judge of tn
whole state, the district being after
ward reduced in size.
Bar Against Humphrey.
The Seattle Bar association ais
adopted at largely-attended meeting
a resolution declaring its belief "tha
William E. Humphrey does not posses
the qualifications necessary to a prope
discharge of that office, and that hi
appointment thereto would not be prop
err" Harold Preston is much talke
of for the place.
Probably Concludes Affair.
Washington. = Chairman Henry I
Clayton, of the house judiciary commit
tee announces that he considered III
necessary further impeachment proceed
ings against Judge Hanford of Wasl
ington, who resigned. Chairman Clay
ton said that while congress has tn
power to try federal official for in
parchment, even after he has resigned
he did not believe that course nece
sary.
Grand Jury for Hanford.
Victor Berger, socialist congressma
from Wisconsin, announces that he Wi
demand an investigation by feeders
grand jury of the charge that the resi-
nation Of Judge Cornelius II. Hanfoi
was rendered to save the faces of Sc
eral wealthy as well as one public ma
in Seattle.
A rumor reached Washington TIL
Hanford's resignation was brougl
about by a Seattle man, once prom
nent in national affairs, and by sever
Puget Sound millionaires, who we
about to become involved in exposure
rrrrrD nv rrct1TNrTNG IN BAR