The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-01-07
cHARCESN 7nESEyATE
Resolution Presented to Probe Law
sons Story of Corruption.
REFERS ALSO TO A. B. PARKER
Senator Stone introduces Measure to
Investigate 100000 Corruption
Fund ITO Turn Doubtful States
Statehood Bill Taken Up.

Statehood Bill Taken Up.
Washington. Jan. 5-Upon recon-
yening after the holiday recess the
senate plunged directly into the con
sideration Of the bill for the admis-
sion OF two states, 10 be composed or
Arizona and New Mexico and Okla
homa and Indian Territory. A motion
by Mr. Beverage to take up the bill
prevailed by a two-thrds majority. Mr.
Hepburn. who renewed his effort TO
get mp the pure food bill, voted with
the Democrats on one roll call, but
with this exception the Republicans
voted solidly to proceed with the con-
sideration OF the statehood bill and the
Democrats voted solidly against that
course
Senator stone. Of Missouri. intro
duced a resolution reciting some OF the
assertions Of Thomas w. Lawson and
Judge Alton b. Parker concerning
campaign contributions. and asking
the judiciary committee to inquire into
the allegations.
The resolution is as follows;
W Iereas. Thomas w. Lawson. a
prominent citizen of Boston. Mass, and
capitalist of rcputcd large fortune.
in a signed article published in Every
body's Magazine. a responsible and
widely circulated publication, has spe-
officially charged that he cOnspired with
certain other well-known capitalists to
raise a large corruption fund TO be
used TO promote the election Of the
Republican candidates for president
and vice president in 1896. and that
they did raise $4,000 900 to be expend-
ed to turn at least five Of the doubt
ful states: and
Whereas. During the campaign OF
1904 it was directly and emphatically
charged by Judge Alton b. Parker, a
prominent candidate for the Office Of
president, and by other citizens OF great
prominence and high repute. belonging
to both the Republican and Demo-
cratic parties. as well as by many i'm
portant and responsible journals. that
large sums OF money had been contrib
uted by. or extorted from numerous
trusts and corporations to be used 10
influence the election then ensuing for
president and vice president OF the
United States. and
Whereas. The president in his last
annual message sent to congress on
December 6, 1904. took official cog
nizance of the growing tendency TO
corrupt the electorate. and did in direct
terms recommend the enactment OF A
law against bribery and corruption in
federal elections: therefore.
Resolved. That the judiciary COM
mittee Of the senate be, and is hereby
authorized. empowered and directed TO
make inquiry into the matters stated
in the foregoing preamble. and also
generally into the subject of the use
of money in federal elections. so as TO
ascertain. as far as possible, the ex-
tent OF the evil. and to report to the
senate at the first session Of the 59th
congress. by bill or otherwise, the
legislation said committee may deem
necessary TO prevent or suppress brib-
cry and corruption in such elections.
Said committee may sit during the
vacation OF the senate. and shall have
authority to send for persons and pa
pers, and to compel the attendance OF
witnesses.