The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-06-27
REPORT OF SPEER COMMITTEE.
COMMITTEE DOES NOT RECON-.
MEND AN ACQUITTAL OR I'M.
PARCHMENT OF AC.
CUSED JURIST,
Committee Makes Ma.
jOrity and Minority RcpOrt-Says
There IS No Doubt That Judge Used
Office to Attain His Own Ends, but
Not to Sufficient Extent for I'm
peachmcnt.

Washington, June 23.-Finding the
evidence insufficient to impeach, but
severely criti Using the jurist on a
number of official acts, the special
subcommittee Of the house judiciary
named to investigate charges against
Judge Emery Speer, Of the Southern
District Of Georgia, made its report
today. The majority report is signed
by Representatives Webb of North
Carolina, and Fitz Henry, Of Illinois,
Democrats. Representative Volstead
Of Minnesota, Republican. filed an in
dividual report exOnerating the Geor-
gia judge and Objecting to many of
the criticisms made by Webb and Fitz
Henry.
"The subcommittee regrets it's in
ability to recommend either a COM
plete acquittal Of Judge Speer Of all
culpability so far as these charges
are concerned, on the one hand, or an
Impeachment on the other" says the
majority report. I'VE are persuad-
ed that the competent legal evidence
at hand Is not sufficient to procure a
conviction at the hands Of the senate.
But the subcommittee does feel that
the record presents a series of legal
expressions and shows an abuse Of
judicial discretion which, though fall
ing short Of impeachable offenses, de-
mand condemnation and criticism.
IF Judge Speer's judicial acts in
the future are marked by the rigor-
Gus and inflexible harshness shown by
this record, these charges hang as a
portentous cloud over his court. i'm
pairing his usefulness, impeding the
administration Of justice and en-
dangering the integrity of American
institutions"
| Notwithstanding disapproval Of
many Of Judge Speer's acts, the ma
jority Of the subcommittee recon-
mends that no further proceedings
he had with reference to II. Resolu-
tion No. 234."
The report was made to the full
judiciary committee and it's adoption
by the committee and the house will
end the impeachment case.
The investigating committee finds
that there has been an utter lack Of
harmony between the judge and the
bar Of the district, as we'll as the
people There has been an alb
solute want of effort on the part of
the court to make the people Of that
district feel that their federal court
was the bulwark of their liberties, but
rather u disposition has been evident
on the part Of the judge to punish
those who were unfortunate enough
to be brought into his court on civil
as we'll as criminal matters.
"An examination Of the record in
this case Is suggestive of the fact that
early In his judicial career Judge
Speer ascertained the limit to which
he could go before liability to i'm
accrue and went as close to the line
upon many occasions as safety would
permit
| In a summary Of Judge Speer's
court methods the report says that
Judge Speer has used with tremen-
dous effect upon juries the right to
sum up the facts in a case. 1T was
rare. indeed. that a jury was permit
ted to return q verdict contrary to
his wishes, regardless Of the facts"
says the report. referring to Speer as
man of Literary attainments. ora
tOrical ability and keen intellect"
| The committee says that it seems
incredible that the famous Huff case,
involving u large Georgia estate.
should have been permitted to drag
along for so many years In Speer's
court.
That Judge Speer has allowed his
friends liberal fees in bankruptcy
cases, the report says. cannot be ques-
toned. However, the report says
charges nave not been sustained that
Judge Speer was guilty of unlawful
and corrupt conduct in cases wherein
his son-in-law had contingent fee.
The report also says that the fol-
lowing charges have not been sustain
ed to the extent that they should be
made articles Of impeachment:
That he has abused his official pow
er by using court officials as private
servants.
That he was guilty Of oppressive
and corrupt conduct in allowing the
dissipation OF the assets of bankrupt
estates. The committee says, how
ever, that the dissipation Of estates IN
certain cases has been "deplOrable."
Lo,