Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-08-28
H0IISE ORDERS INVESTIGATION
OF JUDGE EMORY SPEER
ppresslve and Corrupt Use Of Position Charged Against
Iudce-It is Alleged That He Favored His Son.in.
Law

washington, D. c., August 2.-The
, nossad unanimously today the
cIovton resolution authorizing the jti-
dioiarv committee to investigate the
official conduct of federal Judge En-
orv speer, of the southern district OF
Georgia. The action Of the house
marks the first direct move in pro-
coading that may result in the I'M
neachment of the well known jurlst
The passage of the resolution fol-
lowed a short debate, during the
course of which Judge Clayton sum-
married. the charges against Speer as
contained in the report of the special
examiner of the department of JUS
tics.
The consideration of the resolution
was heard by one of the largest crowds
that has visited the capitol this year.
The galleries were packed with per-
sons who had been drawn to the capi-
tol to hear President Wilson's mes
sage on the Mexican situation, and the
Speer case served to entertain them,
pending the arrival of the president.
After the passage of the resolution
Judge Clayton told a newspaper cor
respondent that owing to Judge
Speer's i'll health at present the judi
ciary committee will not begin formal
examination of witnesses until later
in the fall. This work when begun
will be conducted by a spec1ar suocom-
mittee and sessions will be held proba
bly, at Macon, Savannah, Augusta,
vAlmericus and Valdosta. The commit
tee will not delay consideration of the
case, however, added the judge.
The report of the department of JUS
tice will be considered in detail ard
the general scope of the inquiry OUT
lined so that there will be no DELAY
when the inquiry is finally begun.
The fact that the examination NJ
witnesses in the case will be delayed
until frost will make it impossible, of
course, for the committee to make is
report and recommendations at this
session of congress. Therefore, if i'm
peachment is decided upon, the formal
move will not be made until congress
meets in regular session in December
and the trial by the senate will not be
held until next summer.
Judge Clayton, in summarizing the
charges against Judge Speer, said:
In view of the publicity given to
this matter through the medium
OF the press, and the desire of the
Judge and his friends to know what
these charges are, 1 deem it import
ant to give a summary of them to the
mouse at this time.
Ihey charge the Judge with hav,
ing violated section 67 of the judicial
code, in allowing his son-in-law, Mr.
A H. Hayward, to be appointed and
employed in offices and duties in his
court.
With the violation of the bank
ruptcy act, in allowing &C apensation
TO trustee who was his personal
friend.
violation of the laws in draw
ing juries.
A violation of mandate of the
supreme court of the United States.
Oppressive and corrupt use of his
0nlclal position in deciding cases un,
Justly IN favor of his son-in-law.
cnlawful and corrupt conduct in
proceedings in cases wherein his
Son-in-law had contingent fee.
corrupt and unwarranted use oi
MS ofncial authority in using court
Oincials' who were paid by the gov
ernment as private servants, withou.
iendering any service to the govern.
ment
oppressive and corrupt conduct Ii
'n0~ing the dissipation of assets O.