The morning journal-courier., 1908-05-27
CASE OF MR.. PIGOTl
Action of the Connecticut House
in Expelling a Leg
islator.
AN INTERESTING SITUATION
Incident Which Developed Several
Years Ago VIII BE Rcmcm-
bercd by Many.

one Of the judges Of the supreme
court in talking Of the idea Of eYpul-
sion Of member by a legislative
body said recently that he could not
recall a case of the kind in the history
of the general assembly. The prae-
tlce has not been favored in the state
of Connecticut, The case OF James
Il. Pigott, who was member Of the
house from New Haven in 1885, was
not attended by expulsion. But there
We're men in the house who were anN-
!ous that the course should be taken.
Hon. William Edgar Simonds was
speaker and 1t was against him and
the appointment Of committees that
Mr.. Pigott's Incorporate language was
directed on the floor of the house
during the session of Thursday, Feb
ruary 8. Mr.. Pigott had introduced
resolution requiring the railroad
commissioners to obtain and furnish
information concerning passes issued
to members of the mouse. In the dis
cussion that took place Mr.. Pigott
said. Il state without fear of con-
tradcton that the committee Of this
house was made up in part by an at
torney of one of The gigantic railroad
corporations in this state" Says the
Hartford Times:
Calvin II. Carter of Waterbury was
on his feet In an instant and inquired
il the language Of Mr.. Figott was IN
order. Speaker Slmonds declared
that It was out of order, and directed
the clerk, Sidney r. Downs, to make
record of II,
on motion of Samuel Frlsbe, OF
Pennington, Mr.. Pigott was required
to apologize. Mr.. plgott asked thai
the apology be deferred until com
mittee had investigated the truth o.
the statement which he had made
At this point a motion was carried
with only one dissenting vote that Mr.
Pjgott should be deprived Of the priv
ilege Of speaking or voting, except b
way of excuse, until ne had made sat
isfactory apology
on Tuesday, February 10, n reso
luton was adopted, appointing lenr
G. Newton Of Durham, Genera
Charles NJ. Joslyn Of Hartford, Luciu
NJ. slade of Bridgeport, Philip Corbi
of New Britain ami Samuel Frisbie
Pennington, a committee to hear an
report upon any charge, which an
member might make of corrupt 9
improper influence exercised In tn
, appointment of any member or men
bers OF the house upon any committe
or committees Of the house or of tn
general assembly.
on Tuesday, February "a. this con
mittee reported that no charges ha
been made before II. ON Tuesda,
March 3. Mr.. Troup, who was NJ
Pigott's colleague IN the house, pre-
sented a petition signed by George
uolcomb ct. al, citizens OF New Ia
ven. In favor OF Mr.. Pigott. lie o.
fered q resolution -aising a commit
tee to take the petition into cohsit
Grafton. The resolution was taple
on motion of Mr.. Frisbie, and II
petition was referred to the hou
members Of the judiciary committe
These were Henry G. Newton, Gener
Charles NJ. Joslyn, J.. NJ. Slade, Elf
NJ. steele Of NewInston; William Wa
lace Lee of Meridcn, James Forb
of New Hartford, Charles Phelps
Rockville, and George NJ. Gum
Milford
: A public hearing was given and Il
committee reported, Friday, March |
that no reasons were shown why Il
prayer Of the petitioners should
granted. The report was tabled u
III Tuesday, March 1, when 1t W
taken up, discussed by Representative
Troup and Phelps, Mr.. Phelps bell