Evening journal., 1901-02-22
Speaker McCOmmOnS Appoints
Investigating Committee
liz IGNORED THE REGULARS
Two AddickSiteS and One Democrat
Named to Report by Monday.
TO-day'S Ballot

Special Dispatch to Evening Journal.
Dover, Feb. 22.-The House has ap-
pointed a committee to investigate the
charge that Representative Hearn was
offered a bribe Of $4,000 to absent him
self Thursday and to induce another
Democrat to absent himself at the
same time
Finding that the bribery story was
having such a disastrous effect on the
senatorial fight Of Addiclxs. at a caucus
OF the Union Republican members
held in the parlor this morning, it was
decided to blum ~ issue. II possible.
to brave It. az necessary.
Representative Moore opened the
proceedings in the House by asking for
the privilege OF the floor for few mo-
ments.
1t was granted and DR.. Moore said:
Il want to arise to a question of privi-
lege 1t is a question which concerns
the honesty integrity and dignity OF
every member thereof.
"On Wednesday evening there ap-
peared in the Evening journal an item
entitled "A Union Republican Attempts
to Bribe Representative Hearn.
"Mr Speaker, this article has been
copied by newspapers all over the
state. declaAe 1t has cast upon the
members a veil. They are besmirched.
and / ask that Mr. Hearn stand upon
his feet and give the name Of the
brlber, and God knows l win ask that
the encouragement shall take action
in the case"
representative Holcomb said: Il
feel as the gentlemen from the other
side. and think the thing should be in
vestigated. and l move that a commit
tee Of three be appointed by this House
: to investigate the charges"
Representative Chandler asked what
time would be allotted to the commit
tee. as it might take a year.
In reply Mr. Moore said he was will
ing to make 1t a day and to adjourn
until the charges are sifted or, any
time the majority may see fit.
Mr.. Holcomb asked that Monday be
the limit. and was sustained.
Speaker McCommons appointed
Messrs. Holcomb. Moore and Baynard
the Investigating Committee.
I Senator Slaughter, the Democratic
caucus leader. stood by Representa-
tive Hearn during the proceeding and
advised him TO say nothing until the
committee was appointed and he was
put under oath.
The committee appointed consists
Of two Union Republicans and one
Democrat The straight-out Regular
Republicans are ignored by the chair.
The lobby was crowded with visitors
, from all parts Of the State to witness
J balloting.
The House Bribery Investigating
Committee met at noon. 1t decided to
: call in the legislative attorneys to sit
I with them during the investigation.
Representative Hearn has retained
4 Henry Rdgely, Jr., and Alexander NJ,
S Daily TO represent him.
e The vote for long term senator was:
! Kenney. %; Addicks, 16; DUPONT, s;
= Higgins. 3; Bird, 2.
# The ballot for short term: Salisbury,
x %; Addicks. 20; Burton. Z; Henry B,
Thompson, 2 (Hitchen and Robert
SOM = Hughes, l.
The houses separated on motion OF
n Senator Harrington.
J. The House passed the House bills
d making Lincoln's birthday legal holi-
: day and providing a shad patrol boat
at Delaware City.
The deputy coroner bill for New Cas-
tie county was reported favorably with
a an amendment
d A movement to hold a business session
e Of the House tomorrow and night scs-
1 sions next week was blocked this morn
! ing.