The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-06-11
BROWNE INNOCENT
Florida 0fficia! Completely
Exonerated by Committee.
CHARGE WAS LOBBYING"
Acceptance of Fee Was Not Unlawful
and Charges Made Were Untrue,
Says Comm ittee-House
Accepts Report.

A Tallahassee special says: Sever
al weeks ago a sensation rang through
Florida occasioned by the adoption o.
the lower house of the legislature of
resolution providing for a committee
to investigate the alleged lobbying OF
Hon, Jefferson B. Browne, chairman
CT the Florida railroad commission, to
secure the passage of a bill appro-
priating $4,000 for the purchase 5y
the state from Monroe county OF the
Key West armory and site.
1t was alleged that Mr.. Browne was
to receive $1,000 of this appropriation
TO lobby" the bill through, and, being
a state official, his action was repre-
hensible and should receive legislative
investigation.
The committee was duly appointed,
consisting of Messrs. Mote Of Lake,
Finlayson Of Lafayette, and johnson
Ct Pasco. The committee has made
it's report, setting forth the facts and
basing Its conclusions largely upon an
opinion of Attorney {, eneral James B.
Whitfield.
The facts developed were that Mr.
Browne was consulted professionally
on the right of the county to collect
tax to pay for the maintenance OF an
armory, and, as he advised that the
county had no such right, under a re-
cent decision of the supreme court, 10
propose some method by which the
burden which the county had taken
upon itself in erecting the armory
could be borne by the state.
After several consultations with the
county commissioners, MIR. Browne ac-
vised that the only way to reach the
desired result would be for the legis-
lature to authorize the state to pur-
chase the property. Upon being asked
what would be his charge to do this,
Mr.. Browne replied s1,2UO, but he was
offered 10 per cent Of the amount ap-
propriated, a proposition which was
accepted.
It was understood in the contract
between Mr.. Browne and the board
that, in addition to rendering opinions,
he was to draft a proper bill to be in
aroduced in the legislature by one OF
the members from Monroe county, and
get up the data necessary to be pre-
sented to that body, and show the nee
essity for the county Laving an ar
mory, it's cost, etc.; to make argu-
ments before the committee, If nee
essary; and to examine and report on
the title, and present proof of It's val
idity to the proper state authorities,
to whom the question of title would
be referred; and to go into court with
a bill to remove any cloud from the
title and cure all defects in the same,
if necessary.
Senator Harris and Representatives
Roberts and Knowles, the Monroe
county delegation, each testified that
so far as he knew no lobbying had
been done by Mr.. Browne.
The investigating committee, in con-
Guiding it's report, found as follows:
Your committee, after thorough in
vestigation and careful consideration
of all evidence, 10th oral and written,
brought before it, beg to report that
thew find that the said Hon. Jefferson
B. Browne did no lobbying In con-
nection with said house bill No. 162,
known as the key West Armory
Bill" and find that he acted within the
intent and meaning of his said con-
tract with the board of county COM
missioners Of Monroe county, Florida,
and that his actions in the matter were
in nowise illegal, and we therefore
recommend that the said Hon. Jener'
son B. Browne be fully ezonerated IN
connection with this matter.
Report Accepted by House.
The report Of the investigating com
mittee completely vindicating Hon
Jefferson B. Browne of alleged lobby
ing charges was taken up by the house
of representatives and adopted unanl'
mously.