The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-29
PLAN FOR RETIRING
JUDGE SPEER FAILS
Proceedings for Ills Tmpeach-
ment Will Not Be
Discontinued.
HE DEMANDS ENUMERATION
This Is Declined by Committee
Which Investigated the
Charges.

SAVANNAH, Ga. March 2s-N Ii not
likely that the movement to drop the
charges against Federal Judge Emory
Speer Of the Southern District Of Georgia
and to retire him from tho bench by
special act OF Congress will succeed.
The efforts will probably he abandoned
and the Judiciary COMMITTEES will proceed
with the consideration OF the evidence to
determine whether Judge Speer shall be
impaached by the House.
Following the publication Of tho plan
TO retire Judge Speer prematurely ana
thus obviate the possibility OF impeach-
ment proceedings II was announced BY
his friends that he had not sought retire
ment and that the suggestion came from
members Of Congress. Surprise has been
occasioned by the attitude Of Judge speer
and persons who had felt an interest in
premature retirement are now expressing
themselves as unwilling TO proceed further
along this line.
Moreover. It appears that members OF
the subcommittee which conducted thu
Investigation OF charges against Judge
Speer are unwilling to exonerate him and
question the wisdom OF authorizing re-
| t!rement under the circumstances. II In
known that as far back as last October
Congressman Bartlett OF Macon was ap-
preached by one Of Judge Speer's counsel
about Q bill to retire Federal Judges who
have served continuously for Twenty-Five
years. The passage and approval OF such
| a measure would have made Judge Speer
eligible for retirement and thus have
obviated the necessity for a Congressional
! investigation and possible impeachment
proceedings.
M. BaPtlett's Attitude.
Congressman Bartlett replied to this
| suggestion that In view of Judge Spcer's
long service. his age and tho precarious
I state OF his health he individually had
| no desire to oppose such bill lie de-
clared he thought 1t might be to the best
I interests OF the Southern District and OF
all concerned. At that time the accused
Jurist was In "A desperate state Of health
at Mount Airy. Subsequently when his
health improved II WAS announced by the
Judges friends that overtures for retire.
/ ment had been spurned by him,
After the subcommittee had completed
its investigation Congressman Bartlett
went to Macon to attend the funeral OF
the late Senator Bacon ard WAS there
] q
counsel for the purpose Of showing him 4
letter from the Judge addressed to his
leading counsel. Congressman Bartlett
was not disposed TO discuss the matter.
This attorney. however was DESTROYS OF
showing to the Congressman. and did
show him. the letter signed by Judge Speer
In which the accused Judge agreed to ac-
cept retirement At the hands OF Congress
II the Judiciary Committee, particularly
those who conducted the Investigation,
would eSonerate him OF the charges lodged
by the Department Of Justice
The Macon Congressman again said
that while he would take 10 hand In II
he would not oppose bill o: this kind IL
recommended by the judiciary Committee
Upon his return to Washington Judge
Bartlett found that IN. retirement plan
was being considered. but that the mem
bers Of tho Judiciary Committee and par
ticularly those who conducted the inves-
tisation. were not favorably inclined
toward the plan. judge Bartlett has no,
considered or taken any part In tho mat
ter.
Speer Demands EHoneratton.
And now I sec by tho Macon papers
that Judge Speer denies that he ever
agreed or consented To accept retirement
and 10 chargtng that the movement origl-
mated IN Congress. said Congressman
Bartlett 81 have had nothing whatever
to do with the movement and will not
have II the committee Reports aaversciy
TO the Judge and the House orders I'm
parchment he must stand trial before
tho United States Senate"
Judge Speer says the suggestion fo-
his retirement was not made by Judge
Bartlett but by Congressman Adamson
and he has made public the letter to his
counsel on the subject TO which Judge
Bartlett referred. Judge Speer further
AYERS that he has never for moment con-
templated a consent to retire In order to
avoid Impeachment Tho following 10
Judge Speers letter. which IL addressed
Jointly TO Judges Andrew J. Cobb and r.
H. Galloway:
GENTLEMEN You hav. submitted TO
me the inquiry OF the Hon. W. G. Adam
son. Representative from Georgia. rclativ.
to my retiremcn, from the judreship I
now hold In reply have to state II tho
judiciary Committee. In accordance with
their conceptions OF duty. after considering
all the matter which has been submitted
as publicly 40 they have been made will
not be unwilling to accept retirement upon
the same terms that might do when I
attain the age OF 10 ! state his, how
ever mainly because ! feel that my
health has been TO some cSten, impaired
by my long labors as Judge will. how
ever. accept nothinh but ~" most un-
eQuivocGl exoneratlon. | will accept no
retirement unless honorable retirement
Unless this Is offered me, and after COM
plete vindication. 7 stand on my rights as
a Judge and an American citizen. let the
T consequences BE- what they may"
PROPOSALS.