Evening journal., 1901-03-08
HOUSE ADOPTS
MAJORITY REPORT
AttOrRty-GeReraI will Prose.
cute Bribery Charge
Against Layton

Stan Correspondence Evening Journal.
Dover, March S.-lne House was filed
with visitors when the Hearn-IaytOn
investigating case came up and many
friends OF Representative Hearn, who ac-
cuscd Representative Layton with offer
ing him a consideration to absent him-
self from the House during the joint ses-
sion, thereby reducing the Democratic
numbers had gathered. as had also be-
levers in the honesty Of Representative
Layton.
Representative llolcomb. chairman OF
the House Investigation Committee, call
ed up the two reports OF the committee
which had been handed in the day before
lie read the majority report. recommend
ing that the charge Of attempted bribery
Of Representative IIearn by Representa-
tive Layton he turned over 20 the attor-
! ney general. DIR. Moore followed with
the minority report. which he offered as
an amendment TO the majority report. Ii
provided. that as Representative Hearn
could not substantiatc his charge of
bribery 70 assst in the election OF Ad-
dicks the whole matter be dropped, but
that 1000 copies Of the stenographic tes-
timony be distributed In the two districts
represented by Hearn ana Layton.
Mr.. l1olcomb moved that the amend
ment be laid on the table.
Mr. Finn. arising To a question Of priv
ilere, inquired what a member could do
who did not approve of either report
MIR. Robertson replied, Take the lesser
Of the two evils"
Mr.. Finn rctorted. Il don't do tha
sort OF thing, sir
The motion 10 lay the amended report
on the table was carried by vote Of Il
TO "A. Mcssrs Chandler, Clark and Hodg.
son, voting with the Democrats. an,
Messrs. Finn, lIcam and Layton. no
3. voting.
The motion Of Mr.. Baynard 20 lay th'
majority report on the table was lost b!
"a vote Of IS 10 Is. Messrs. Chandler
Clark, Pilling and Hodgson, voting witt
, the Democrats.
Mr.. Baynard Il deeply regret tina
the sense OF fairness did not exist TO per
init this TO be discussed. The majority
wanting to put the matter on some on
. else's shoulders, were not willing 20 fac
the music. Their motives they knew
would be construed as doubtful as {
whether the charges were or were no
sustained.
Il was going TO say that they want &
throw-mud. The general public have go
their mind made up as to the condition o
I affairs. The question M stake Is smpl
one that belongs TO these two member
r who have been charged and reoharge,
The objection Of the minority report wa
, that the two could have their defense be
fore their own constituents and coul
bring the same evidence before them tina
, this jury had. II was unjust and no ob
ieCt was TO be gained by shutting of dis
cussi0n ON the minority report"
Mr.. IIolcomb-'l did not intend 10 sa
, anything but am prompted 10 do 30 b
the oratory of the gentleman Of such hig
moral IDEAS from Wilmington. lie stand
? before this House and impugns the mo
tivcs of this committee. When all mar
rows down. it is tar people after all wh
are to judge. AS a member Of the com
mittee. l am willing to let the people de
eide who were the fairer We did nc
I shrk our duty. We did object 10 a min
{ ority report that would put the blame o
that young man lmeaning Hearn). Wit
( the evidence so Numerically opposed W
q did not feel we could put the blame o
la higher authority, a Republican, and a
e Addicks Republicans, for his action
4 DIR. Moore did what / believed I
6 be just thing. II there is anything /
the minority report that casts rehectio
T on any member OF this House, ! do n,
know IL. If man were brought befOr
p me. as a magistrate for larceny, and
. could not prove his claim, | would NJ
r. convict him on circumstantial cvidenC
Q such as in this case. ! am willing 90 &
= before my constituents, and before II
people of Sussex county in what ! hay
!, DONE"
The majority report was then adopte
by the following vote, is 20 10, Messr
4 Chandler, Clark, Hodgson and Pillin
again voting with the Democrats.
r On motion Of DIR. Moore, the House ol
Q dered 1000 copies Of the testimony dii
tributed in the two districts represente
e by Layton and Hcarn.