Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-02-18
A BIG SENSATION
SPRUNG ON THg HOUSE OF DELEGATES BY
Mr.. Dyer, OF KANAWHA,
Who Openly Charged That George A. Howard, Rep
rsssntng the School Book Trust Tried to Bnbs
Him-Nr. Towards Arrest Ordered by
The HOaSe-HS Side Of the Case.

Sp,ciai Isi,grdni 70 ne Register.
CHARLESTON, w. VA, February IL
While everything was moving alone
quietly this afternoon in the House, and
when no one was expecting anything
ont Of the usual line, bomb was eS-
ulOded. ~ To speak. and here's the
bomb: Delegate Dyer rose In his seat TO
question Of personal privilege, and stated
that he very much regretted To say that
inst after he had eaten his dinner he
was approached by Mr.. George A. How
ard, and asked as TO his position ON the
school book question. He replied to
Mr.. Howard that he was opposed To
= change of books. Mr.. Howard
said: i wish you would make that
statement on the floor Of the House"
Dyer told him he expected to do so.
Howard then said: Il want 10 give
YOU something if you will do this.
Mr.. Dyer thought Howard was joking,
but Howard put something in Dyer's
pocket. which Dyer saw was money.
DYER went into Delegate w. K. Thomp-
sons room at the hotel, and counted
the money. There was $50. Mr. Dyer
said: Here is the money. wish TO
turn the matter over to the House" and
~ handed a sealed envelope TO a page
who carried it TO the clerk.
On motion of Mr.. Ferguson, war
rant was issued and the Sergeant-at-
Arms was ordered to arrest Mr.. Howard
and bring him before the bar of the
House at once.
To say that all this caused ripple of
excitement is expressing things mildly.
A number Of members gathered around
Mr.. Dyer and congratulated him Tor
having exposed the matter.
Mr.. Hanen offered a resolution ask
ing that special committee OF five be
appointed To investigate this charge or
bribery, and be empowered to bring
persons and papers before them to in
0uire into any and all attempts at brib-
cry on the school book question.
He withdrew the resolution, however,
with the understanding that the gentle
man from Kanawha would offer sim
liar one when the prisoner shall have
been arraigued in the House.
The other school book men are very
jubilant tonight and cannot, or do not
care To, hide their evident satisfaction
over Howard'S alleged misfortune. The
action of these men has caused great
deal Of sympathy To be extended toward
Mr.. Howard Mr.. Howard is in the
hotel tonight and tomorrow morning
will go before the House TO meet the
charge.
Mr.. Howard'S friends and lawyers say
there is no need for alarm, and that
Howard will come out Of the trouble
with lying colOrs. Conservative men
think II is not case OF actual bribery.
One OF Mr.. Towards near friends
furnishes the following in his behalf;
Mr.. Howard requests the public to SuS-
pend its Judgment in reference 10 the
charges against him until the whole
matter has been investigated and an
offered for full explanation
of the circumstances and statement OF
the facts from his standpoint. 1t is
claimed for him that it will be shown
that he Is entirely innocent OF the cor
rupt intention To brbe member OF
the Legislature, as might be inferred
from the reports that are non being cir
culated, and Ii will be- shown that no
wrong has teen done or attempted by
him. Mr.. Howard is willing and anxious
for a full investigation Of the matter,
and will in due time yindicate himself,
and will be exonerated from any crimi-
nal or immoral motives or acts IN the
matter.