Bryan morning eagle and pilot. (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1909, 1909-02-09
STARTLING STATEMENT.
Senator Thomas Makes Sensa-
tional Accusations.
PROCEEDINGS ARE SPICY.

Senate Decides to Appoint Commit
tee Of Three to investigate the Mat
ter, the Members to Thoroughly
Look Into and Report Within Week.
Austin, Feb S.-Quite a sensation
was sprung in the senate Monday
when Senator Thomas of Hopkins
county arose to a question personal
privilege and charged that he had been
improperly approached and intimated
by outside interests. He also declared
that other senator's have said that
never before in the history of the state
has there been such an open and
flagrant lobby maintained at Austin
during a session Of the legislature.
Il have seen the brazen effrontery Of
lobbyists who have appeared before
cur committees" said Senator Thorn
as. "and even suggest to members ot
the senate how they should vote on
pending measures"
visions Of the anti-lObby law; that the
committee rooms had been thrown
open to everybody, whether interested
In a bill or not. He wanted to a.
peal to the president and members n.
the senate 10 rigidly enforce the ant.
lobby law He charged that he had
been approached and his vote solicited
for bills pending before the legislature
in violation Of anti-lobby law; that the
anti-lobby law has been violated in
the senate and committees room over
!, 200 times
He charged that he has seen Ger.
tain state official who should be at
tending TO his duties. on the floor ot
the senate and in committee rooms
using his influence to defeat certain
bill He asserted he had been told
that If he brought this question before
the senate he would be shot full OF
| holes"
He believed that some bills have
already been defeated by outside in
fluences.
President Davidson wanted to know
II senator Thomas referred TO the
chair as to granting of privileges on
| floor of senate TO outsiders or to state
officials. Senator Thomas replied {:
NO"
Senator Meachum took the floor and
| said he was surprised at disclosures
made by Senator Thomas and In i'm
passioned speech moved that there be
a roll call and let each senator answer
whether he has been Improperly ap
preached: that il was Thomas duty to
! go before the grand jury here and un'
der oath tell oi violations OF law.
Senator Hume said that there is nc
need for lobby law TO maintain the
senate's self respect, that he was able
to take care himself If approached by
| any one. He said he had not even
been approached by the preachers.
Senator Veale thought it was Sc
rious charge and seconded the motion
Gf Senator Meachum.
Roll call was taken and Of twenty
five members present all except Thorn
as himself voted that they had no
been approached or intimated
Senator Murray offered a resolution
that Senator Thomas be brought be
fore the bar Of the senate and furnish
names and dates on which he charges
that he and other senators had beer
intimated and solicited.
He subsequently withdrew his reso
luton and another offered by Senator
Meachum and Sturgeon. which wa'
adopted. providing that the presiden
of the senate appoint a committee o
three senator's to make investigation
of the language and statement Of Sen
ator Thomas, and report back thei
findings in a week. The committe,
is empowered to take testimony, ad
minister oaths, etc. The chair ap
pointed Sturgeon. Veale and Meachum