Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1914-06-24
JUDGE STEERS
 KNOWS THE LAW Evidently Thinks Commit tee, He Ascertained How
 Far He Could Go.
EVADES IMPEACHMENT
Severely Criticising United States Judge in Georgia, House Commit. tee Recommends No Further
 Action Be Taken.

evidence insufficient to 1mpeacn, put severely criticising the jurist on number of official acts, the specla subcommittee of the house judiciary named to investigate charges against Judge Emory Speer of the southern district of Georgia, made its report to- day. The majority report is signed by Representatives Webb of North Caro- lima, and Fitz Henry of Illinois, Dem ocrats. Representatives Volstead of Minnesota, Republican, filed an indi- vidual report exonerating the Georgia judge and objecting to many of the criticisms made by Webb and Fitz Henry.
 ''The sub-committe regrets it's in- ability to recommend either com plete acquittal of Judge Speer of all culpability so far as these charges are concerned, on the one hand, or an i'm peachment on tlie other" says the ma jority report "We are persuaded that the competent legal evidence at hand is not sufficient to procure a convic- ton at the hands of the senate. But the subcommittee does feel that the reco-d presents series of legal op- pressions and shows an abuse of judi cial discretion which, though falling short of impeachable offenses, demand condemnation and criticism.
 Impairs Usefulness.
 eff Judge Speer's judicial acts in the future are marked by the rigorous and inflexible harshness shown by this record, these charges hang as a DOT tentous cloud over his court 'mpairing his usefulness, impending the admin istration of justice and endangering the integrity of American institu- tions.'
 Notwithstanding disapproval of many of Judge Speer's acts, the ma jority of the subcommittee recom- mends "that no further proceedings be had with reference to house reso- lution 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 Webb Fitz Henry report. is a document of nearly 100000 words.
 "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 sbefore liability to i'm peachment for official conduct would accrue and went as cloGe to the line upon many occasions as safety would permit
 Dictated Every Verdict.
 In summary of Judge Speer's court methods the report says that Judge Speer has used with tremend- ous effect upon juries the right to sum up the facts in a case. "It was rare indeed, that jury was permitted to return verdict contrary to his wishes, regardless of the facts" says the report, referring to Speer as a man of Literary attachments, oratori- cal ability and keen intellect"
 The committee says that it seems inredible that the famous Huff case involving large Georgia estate should have been permitted to drag along for so many years in Speer's court.
 Hat Juu6C 6PCCl Aoo oIO"Cu HIS friends liberal fees in bankruptcy cases, the report says, cannot be questioned. However, the report says, charges have not been sustained that Judge Speer was guilty of unlaw- full and corrupt conduct in cases wherein bis son-in-law had contin- gent fee.
 Verify, Despot.
 The majority of the subcommittee in its conclusions, however, says:
 ''The record details large number of official acts on the part of Judge Speer which are in themselves legal yet, when taken together develop into a system tending to approach condi- ton of tyranny and oppression. There has been an inequitable exercise o judicial discretion, many instances ol which have been frequently criticised where the cases in winch they were committed hove been reviewed by tho courts of appeal, while in others liti gants were unable, financially, tt prosecute appeals.
 That the power of the court ha' been exercised in a. despotic and auto cratic manner by the judge cannot b questioned"