Robert W. Archbald
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Robert Wodrow Archbald (10 September 1848–19 August 1926) was a United States federal court judge from Pennsylvania. He was the ninth federal official on whom Articles of Impeachment were served, and only the third to be convicted and removed from office.
Born in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, Archbald attended Yale University, graduating in 1871. In 1873, he was admitted to the bar and was in private practice until 1884. That year, Archbald was appointed as a Judge on the Court of Common Pleas for Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. He served in this position until 1888 when he was made the President Judge of the 45th Judicial District of Pennsylvania.
In 1901, he was appointed by President William McKinley to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. In 1911 he was appointed by President William Howard Taft to the U.S. Commerce Court. In addition to his duties on the Commerce Court, Archbald was also assigned to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit by Chief Justice Edward Douglass White upon his commission to help reduce workload.
On 13 July 1912, he was impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives on 13 Articles by a vote of 223 to 1. Articles I, II, III and VI alleged that Archbald had entered into agreements with litigants at a substantial benefit to himself. Article IV alleged a wrongful communication with litigants. Articles V, VII, VIII, IX and X alleged that he had improperly solicited and accepted gifts from litigants. Article XI alleged he had improperly solicited and accepted gifts from attorneys. Article XII alleged he allowed corrupt practices during jury selection. Article XIII alleged a general charge of bringing the Judiciary into disrepute. The offences alleged in Articles I through XI were connected with holidays in Europe and other gifts received from coal mine workers and railroad officials.
On 16 July, the U.S. Senate began Archbald's trial. The Senate convicted him of five of the thirteen Articles on 13 January 1913. The Senate then voted to remove him from office and disqualify him from further office by a vote of 39 to 35.
The exact division on each Article is as follows:
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Archbald was convicted on Articles I, III, IV, V and XIII and was accordingly removed from office. Article II gained a majority of votes, but not the two thirds necessary under the U.S. Constitution for conviction.
