The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-09
Sterling Questions His Con-
duct and Integrity as
a Judge
LETTERS TO BRUCE
POINT EMPHASIZED
Argument Begun in Impeachment
Trial-Sterling Declares Jurist's
Conduct "Smells to Heaven"
Others Speak

Washington, January S.-Judge Roberl
. W Archibald of the United States COM
merce court, sitting with his attorneys
before the bar of the Senate today. heard
his conduct and his integrity as judge
arraigned in bitter terms in the opening
of the arguments that will terminate the
impeachment case brought against him
for alleged misconduct in office.
Representative John A. Sterling of II
linois, his interrogation yesterday in the
ss-examination before the Senate, sum-
ming up today, declared it showed him
unworthy of public office; and convicted
him of a 'sy stem of conduct which he
has carried ON with the railroad so rank
that it Smells to Heaven.
The days proceedings were devoted
entirely to the opponents of Judge Arch
bald. It probably win be late tomorrow
before his attorneys take the floor. Two
days more of arguments remain. The
closing speeches will be made by the
House managers.
Representatives Webb of North Caro-
lima, Howland of Ohio and Floyd OF
Arkansas, following Mr.. Sterling today,
took up individual counts against Judge
Archibald reiterated in strong terms the
opening charges of Mr.. Sterling that the
accused jurist had been proved unfit for
further service upon the bench or posi-
tions of public trust
Evil Is in the Effect
The evil of the course of conduct that
has been pursued by Judge Archibald is
the effect it has upon the public mind.
declared Representative Sterling. THE
times are now pregnant with the senti-
ment that there is corruption in high
places. justified in some instances and
of Judge Archibald, from the conduct
which we have proven against him. II
seems to me that it puts on trial that
part Of the constitution relating to inn
peachments
IF Judge Archibald is not convicted
of these offcnses and removed from Of
flee the verdict will be that the consti-
tuition is a failure and that when man
commits offenses of the character he has
committed, the people have no redress.
If the Senate does convict Judge Arch
bald. if the constitution in this case Is
complied with, as ! believe it will be,
the people will again turn to the old con-
stitution as their refuge and their har-
bor"
MIR. sterling declared the SPECIFIC
charges against Judge Archibald, at least
many OF them. were not the single
grounds upon which the House asked for
his remova, from office. Reviewing
Judge Archbald's correspondence with At
forEey Helm Bruce of the Louisville and
Nashville railroad over a decision in
which the commerce court ultimately gave
the award to the railroad, he said
1T is one fact which dovetails into
this system of conduct which he has car
ried on with the railroads. | believe the
inevitable and logical and easonable con
cluson is that Judge Archibald, by reason
of this assistance from Helm Bruce. was
able to convince the court that their first
decision was wrong and compelled them
to reverse it
I'VE are impelled to the conclusion that
Judge Archibald was determined-and
am inclined to think he was wrongfully
determined-to have that case decided in
favor of the Louisville and Nashville
railroad"