With great solemnity, violent denunciation and impassioned infinitive-splitting by the prosecutors, the Massachusetts House of Representatives last week voted 196 to 18 the impeachment of Massachusetts' Attorney General, Arthur K. Reading. It was the first time in 148 years that the Commonwealth had found out a corrupt public officer and affixed censure. Mr. Reading, guilty of at least two blatant indiscretions, speedily resigned. But the legislature sought precedent for declining the resignation and pushing the case through the Massachusetts Senate. If tried and convicted there, Mr. Reading would be ineligible for public office in his State forever more.
He had...