Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1897-06-19
BRIBERY REPORT.
The Investigation Committee Submit
Their Conclusions to Gov. leedy.
The Use OF Money for Corrupt Purposes
Charged-Thc Republican Member
Disscnts-An Extra Session of
the Legislature Favored.

TOPEKA, Kan, June 1.-the com
mittec appointed to investigate ru
mors and charges of bribery among
members Of last winters Legislature
closed its work Saturday. In its re.
port TO Gov. Lccdy the committee rs.
serts that II found the charges to be
true, but dcplorcs the fact that it was
robbed Of its usefulness by the Sill
prcme courts decision that II had no
authority to compel witnesses to an-
swcr questions.
When the report was read all the
members agreed to 1t except Frank
L. Grimes, the republican member,
who objected to the wording oft The
governor was not in the city when the
report was made, having gone to Otta.
wa. The other officers about the capi-
tol who could be seen expressed them.
selves pleased with II us II was stated
TO them, and especially with that part
of it which suggests or favors an extra
session of the legislature.
The expenses of the committee were
sl,7i3.65, not including the stcnogra-
piers fees, which will be enough to
bring IL up to nearly sl,sO
After reviewing the committees or
ganization, taking Of evidence and adj
journmcnt from time to time until the
supreme courts decision was rendered,
the report continues:
The people have the right to expect that
their legislative servants will carry out Cx-
plicltly their demands for laws that will relieve
them from the extOrtions OF corporations. A
failure 10 do this caused by improper influence
brought 10 hear upon legislators by individual
or corporate interests, cannot be too severely
condemned. Where such charges OF corrup-
tion are made the people have the right TO
know all the facts 40 that they NAV be able 10
fix the responsibility where II belongs. TO pun
ish their dishonest servants and TO guard
against similar trenchcry In the future. Tho
people arc justly Indignant ut the failure TO Sc
cure needed legislation. They will have adj
ditiona cause for Indignation and disappoint-
mcnt In the premature ending Of this investi-
ton
The committee has honestly cndeavored TO
bring ont the whole truth and all the facts In
regard to the charges of bribery. but has been
humpcred from tho beginning by attacks upon
its legality and powers, cmanating apparently
$500 $500 " " 49,
popular c>'iihatioh are cohhee'cu win those
measures CONCERNING Wh'ch inc corIuptIng ln'
nucnccS OF the looDieS were most evident
Iheir views nave oeeh u,,schi'lulcu oy ger
tain Of the newspapers, and have served to cre-
ate III tue minus OF 'he pubic the oehei 'ha'
TINS investigation would DC iarelcaL
During tue CLOSING uays OF inc iegiSHturen
determined enort was maze 10 DISCHARGE inc
committee; falling In this. those interested In
preventing an INVESTIGATION ehuoavoreu 10 pre-
vent an appropriation To carry on the inVestiga-
tloh anu wheh thl> attempt a!So ia'ieu 'hc hp-
preparation was heoseu "noul WIN RESTRICTIONS
ana provisions that nave Dcen embarrassing 10
the committee FROM these circumstances
those arising uurlhI the progress OF tnc ih'es-
tigation anu from careful review OF 'nc evi-
dcnec addnrcd' the committee II leu lhevltaply
to the conclusion that wcli-organlheu looDies'
with distinct purpose OF controlling icgisla-
ton, infested the le1iSiatiVe mans NJ 'he last
session anu that their mcthods involved cor
ruption ana bribery OF members OF the iesiSla-
lure