The Judge Who Was Too High to Rule

Impeachment proceedings began in the house today against Judge Jesse Arthur of the superior bench of Spokane and Stevens counties by the introduction of a resolution for the appointment of a committee to investigate the charges. The resolution charged Arthur with grave offenses in violation of his oath, and that he had disgraced himself and mortified citizens of his district by his conduct. The charges set forth that Arthur has debauched and perverted the administration of justice in many acts of gross misconduct, neglect of duty and malfeasance. During the spring of 1894, the grand jury of Stevens county was left for two or three weeks idle and without business, awaiting Arthur's presence to discharge them, thereby greatly increasing the cost to the county. That he has been guilty of repeated and protracted absences from duty as judge of Spokane county. Arthur's misconduct receives special attention in the charges: that he has been notoriously and habitually in an intoxicated condition, incident to the use of narcotics or stimulants, insomuch that he is commonly spoken of as a morphine fiend. His judicial blunders and carelessness while in such condition have repeatedly jeopardized the interests of the state. Abundant proof can be furnished as to his stupid, drunken, maudlin condition while on the bench administering justice to the great disgust of those forced to appear before him.