Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-24
COURT OPENS JAIL DOORS
Men Committed by the Missouri House
are Released by Supreme
JadEes.

JEFFERSON CITY. Mo. March al. l.
Page, newspaper correspondent and Cole
Hiokox. senate clerk. who we're committed
to jail last week for contempt Of the house
OF representatives in refusing to answer
question put by that body, we're released
by the supreme court today on a writ Of
habeas corpus.
The Investigation in the house grew out
OF charges OF bribery in connection with
the enactment OF certain legislation. Page
and Hickox, who refused to answer uues-
tions put by the investigating committee
we're sent to jail. A writ Of habeas cor
pus was applied for last week and today,
after brief arguments, Chief Justice Rob-
nson and Justice CAN'T ordered the release
Of the prisoners without retiring for con-
sultation. 4eJ su
Judge Robinson stated that there was
some conflict in authority regarding habeas
corpus in this case, but that the great
weight Of authority appeared to the court
to protect a witness and left to witness
to Judge for himself as to what questions
he should or should not answer. In dis
charging the prisoners the court held that
they could stand on. their constitutional
rights and protect themselves.
Before the legislature adjourned sine die
at noon today Judge Hszeii of the Colex
county circuit court convened the grand
Jury in the special session to investigate
the charges Of boodllng which have been
openly made against the legislature.
Judge Hazell's instructions to the jury
cover twenty typewritten pages. He said
in part.
You are summoned in extraordinary ses-
sion that you may investigate certain mat
ters which have been brought to the atten-
nf tbn
ments in the house Of representatives OF
the state OF Missouri. 1t has been charged
SR 4es shs fba oGF p pI ns hSSse Sn OF &
honest methods in. securing certain legis-
lation pending before that body, and these
matters will be taken up by you and care
You gentlemen viii not be deferred from
performing that duty because there Is q
threat hanging over the citizens of Jeffer-
son City and Cole county in reference to
the removal OF the capital from your midst.
The honest people residing in Missouri will
not permit the capitol to be removed from
our city and county simply because you
have done your duty in investigating the
charges made against legislators, and
bringing them to the bar of public Justice,
II you should find that they are guilty of
any wrong doing
Instructions were also given to investi-
gate sabbath-breaking. the operation Of
bucket shops, gambling, lotteries. etc
Thus far the following witnesses
nave Deen summoneq lot examination:
Representatives Ben Luig, L. J. Ticha-
eek, T. j. Leonard and Richard Collins all
of st. Louis Hugh Stephens, simcoe Rey-
nolds and E.. Scott ofJefferson City. Clerk
Cole Hickox of the state senate. and I. l.
Page, a newspaper CORRESPONDENT.
In the course Of that part of the charge
relating to Sabbath desecration, the Judge
said: ..--.t. 81, -.
To take ipto consideration vybether the
Legislature, doing its work on Sunday, is
compelled 10 perform such labor as a work
OF necessity or charity, and It is very es-
to the grand jury, that the Sabbath in a
Christian land like this should be observed
and that bad examples in high quarters are
detrimental to good government and beget
ideas that are at variance with our ideas of
liberty and good government