The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1918-03-22
.CRUM RESIGNATION
OFFERED GOVERNOR
JURIST TAKES THIS ACTION BE-
CAUSE ENDURANCE LIMIT
REACHED, HE SAYS
DENIES GUILT DIsLoYALTY
Says Impeachment Trial Would Give
Certain Persons Opportunity to
Pose as erpatriots-Resig-
nation is Up to Senate.

''ts'S'' 20 - ~ SShoeNs
Helena, March 12.-Governor S. v
Stewart has received from Judge
Charles L. Crum, whose Impeachment
trial before the state senate on charges
of sedition and disloyalty is set fol
March 20, his resignation as judge Of
the Fifteenth judicial district.
The jurist states he takes this action
because he has reached the limit OF
human endurance and because an i'm
peachment trial would permit enemies
to distort statements he has made
until they bore no resemblance to the
true facts and would permit certain
persons to pose as super-patriots He
adds that trial would tend to divide
the public instead of welding 1t to pre-
sent united front to the common
enemy" He denies being guilty of
dsIogaity but admits he possibly made
RECKLESS statements or criticisms of
the policy followed by the national ad.
ministratlon."
Governor Stewart has not acted upon
the resignation and will not act until
he hears from the president of the
senate and the chairman of the board
of managers of the house in charge
of the prosecution.
1t is for the senate to decide whether
the trial shall be held or whether the
resignation will close the matter.
Judge Crum's resignation follows in
full:
The Resignation.
Forsyth, Mont, March Q, 1918.
"Gov. Sam " Stewart, Helena, Mont.
My Dear Sir: l hereby resign my
position as judge of the Fifteenth
judicial district of the state of Mon
tana.
''LIZs action on my part is not
confession that | have been guilty of
any crime. In fact, have violated no
law and have not been guilty of any
1nalfeasance Or misfeasance in office.
Neither does 1t mean that am afraid
to Pace any charges WHICH have been
made against me. I have never been
accused of being either a coward or
a gutter.
My action simply means that there
is limit to human endurance, and
that | have reached that limit.
"a [eW weeks ago my 16-year-old
son M1s operated on at Miles City for
cancer and the mental and nervous
strain while sitting at his bedside for
several weeks, coupled with the shock
and humiliation of the Impeachment
proceedings recently brought against
me was simply more than my nervous
system could stand, and 1 suffered a
complete breakdown, from which ]
at this time, and my physician has
so advised me, it would be extremely |
dangerous for me to subject myself to |
the rigors of an impeachment trial.
Too III to Resume Duties.
Il realize If there were no charges
against me, it would be several months |
before l would be able to resume my
OFFICIAL duties. / also feel that trial |
Of my case would simply provide an I
for certain people to pose
before the people and in the press as
1t would give some
an opportunity to color and distort
| have made until they had
no resemblance to the true facts. 1t |
would enable some of my bitter per-
'Onal enemies to continue to spread
heir venom and poison and pollute
he atmosphere. 1t would inflame the
ana many thousand dollars. 1t would
10 This at time when the state needs
very available dollar and when the
PEOPLE should, instead of fighting
mong themselves, present solid |
ront to the common enemy and when
very American citizen should be not
My prepared, but willing to make any |
acrifice within his power to the in
erests of the common good
May Have Been Careless.
at may be possible that 1 have !
lade some careless and reckless state !.
rents or criticisms of the policy Q
dopted and followed by the present a
ational administration, but l have u
ever meant or intended at any time
, be in the least disloyal to the Amer
an government. n
"In this connection I wish to say o
lat the charges which have been ii
ade against me have been heralded O
-oadcast over the state, and / trust tt
cofrmon justice and fairness you r,
i'll see to it that this statement from Fl
e receives the same publicity that J.
as given the charges against me-" fl