The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1907-01-17
OF
SENATOR BAILEY
STATE LEGISLATURE TAKES UP
THIS MATTER.
BAILEY COURTS An INQUIRY
Denies That His Friends Seek to Pre-
vent Legislature Acting Wants
Specific Charges BY Those Who
Would Be Obligated to Prove.

Austin, Tex.-With the introduction
Of a resolution in the senate for an
investigation of the Bailey-Davidson
controversy which promises to devel-
OPP into the greatest political figh.. in
the history of Texas is fairly on.
The nature of the case-chargas
and counter charges Of a damaging
CHARACTERS bristling with sensation
alism, involving, at it does, two Of the
most prominent political figures in the
state, while hints are thrown out by
the Bailey forces that the investiga-
ton, if ordered, will involve other
men Of high position.
The resolution introduced in the
senate is signed by founteen Of the
thirty members Of the upper house Of
the Legislature, and requires an inves-
tigation of both Attorney General
Davidson and Senator Bailey and
their connection with the Waters
Pierce Oil Company's readmission
into Texas, after being excluded under
the antitrust laws.
Senator J. w. Bailey gave out, in
part, the following interview as to
his opinion of legislative investiga-
ton, concerning himself:
There is not the semblance of
truth in the statement which has been
sent out from Austin to the effect that
my friends are seeking either to pre-
vent or to delay an investigation. |
am more than ready to meet any
charge that any responsible man may
make against me, and | will answer
it without asking moments delay.
do not believe a senator from Texas
ought to be required to answer a ser
les Of indefinite, nebulous and anony-
nous charges, and all | ask Is that
those who accuse me of personal Dr.
political misconduct shall make their
accusations specific, and offer some
proof in support Of them. The state
ment that if | have done no wrong /
ought to demand an investigation
sounds we'll enough until it is anal
yzed, but it proceeds upon a misap-
prehension Of what it means to inves-
+ tigate the conduct Of man whom the
state of Texas has honored with one
of her senatorships. | would rather
be indicted as "a citizen in private life
than to be investigated as a senator
from Texas, and the fact that my
exoneration will follow an inquiry in
to my conduct would no more recon
ellie me to an investigation than the
fact that citizen would be acquired
upon trial would reconcile him to
being indicted. AS | now recall il,
Texas is the only southern state that
has ever thought It necessary to in
vestigate the conduct Of a Democratic
senator, and That circumstance alone
should impress every thoughtful man
with the idea that an investigation
ought not to be proposed or ordered,
except upon grave charges which those
who made them would hold themselves
bound TO prove.
Six years ago, when my enemies
assailed me about this Waters-Pierce
Oil Company transaction, demanded
an investigation, but | first requested
my friends to strike out that part Of
the preamble to the resolution which
recited that it had been charged, and
to substitute for it that member Of
the house of representatives. had made
the charge. With that amendment
the resolution was adopted, and the
investigation ordered, conducted and
concluded. But the Legislative record
Shows that the man who offered the
resolution, when called upon for his
statement under oath, admitted to the
committee that he could not swear to
any fact or circumstance that would
tend to prove his charge With that
experience in my mind, / may we'll be
excused for insisting, in this instance,
upon some definite charge, for which
some reputable man is willing to
vouch.
The people Of Texas cannot be de-
ceived into believing that I desire to
prevent or postpone an investigation
simply because I Insist that, in COM
mon fairness, am to be accused by
somebody and have the accusation
supported by some witness before am
again subjected to the modification
of being investigated, and the people
Of Texas will easily perceive that the
demand made by my friends permits
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