The Nation - News from Sept. 15, 1986

Federal Judge Harry E. Claiborne goes on trial in the Senate this week in the first impeachment case since 1936. An unprecedented committee of 12 senators is to hear evidence today. On 13 previous occasions since 1799, the entire Senate handled every phase of impeachment cases. But faced with a busy pre-election schedule, the Senate delegated the committee to hear evidence and then turn the transcript over to the chamber for a ruling on whether he should be removed from office because of his 1984 conviction for tax evasion. Claiborne, 69, is still getting his $78,700 annual salary while serving two years in prison. Since federal judges are appointed for life, he can be removed only by impeachment.