Bryan morning eagle and pilot. (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1909, 1909-02-11
LIVELY TILT in SENATE.
Thomas Investigation Brings on
Warm Debate.

up. BY unanimous vote the senate. on
motion Of Senator Brachfield, went
into committee of the whole.
Senator Meachum resigned from the
investigation committee. Senator
Greer was appointed. Senator Thomas
reaching him.
A dramatic incident was the presen.
tation by Senator Thomas of petition
signed by citizens OF Farmersville,
commenting the stand he has taken in
the matter, and advising him ito keep
up the good work." The angered some
OF the senators and the petition was
not read. Senator Terrell (of Bowie)
remarked that it ought to be thrown
out of the window.
Senator Meachum took the floor on
the question of personal privilege and
asserted that In view OF the statement
OF Senator Thomas 10 the press, that
he had never said that Thomas would
be In danger of personal violence
should he make these charges; that
he advised Thomas in a friendly spirit.
when he learned Thomas intended 20
make these statements, that senators
would shoot him full of holes and
would not stand for It, He declared
that heretofore and since charges had
been made that Thomas had stated ho
had no objection TO him (Meachuml
being on the committee; further, that
the statement made by Thomas that
he (Meachum) was not in favor of the
enforcement OF the anti-lobby law was
incorrect and untrue. as he had voted
for the measure al the last session.
Thomas-"Did | say | was going to
make any statement that would be
construed as reflecting OH honesty
and integrity of any member of the
senator"
Meachum-"You did not: but the
language used could not have been
construed as only reflecting on men,
bers of the senate. know of no other
senator who would have sent up such
a petition to the senate. Please state
the origin of the petition"
Thomas-'I do not know, only II
came through the mail from Farmers
Vile from citizens who endorse the
stand | had taken. | did not intend
to reflect on any member of the SEN
ate"
Chair-"Does the senator mean to
say that It Is reflection on the
chair?"
Thomas-"No, sir"
Meachum then suggested that the
senate go into committee of the whole
to consider the charges
Senator Thomas and Meachum had
a debate as TO whether Meachun
would remain on the committee. Thorn
as said he di not object to Meachum
If he had no unkind feeling toward
him.
The chair announced that Thoma;
had told him that he had no objection
TO Meachum. and there was no inten
ton on his part TO be unfair in this
matter.
Meachum asked Thomas if the state
ment he had made on plea OF personal
privilege was substantially correct.
Thomas-"No, sir; it is not.
The senator did not say he was no
opposed TO the enforcement of anti
lobby law.
Meachum then said that he was II
| favor Of enforcement of anti-lobby law
and had voted for it.
Senator Sturgeon said he had had
conference with Thomas and the lattel
wants TO investigation set for hearing
on a certain day; that he is not
lawyer and wants to engage counsel
| that It is only fair to Thomas, as h'
wants to reduce his charges to writing
Sturgeon suggested that the hearin:
be held next Tuesday.
| Senator Senter was opposed to thu
hearing in the daytime and suggested
| that it be at night, as there are 81
many important measures coming III
for consideration.
Thomas said that would suit hin
perfectly, as the people could then al
tend the hearing.
Hume insisted that the hearing
should be held In the broad light o
day; that such charges are more i'm
portant than any measures pending il
the legislature. the honor and integrit,
Of the senator's; that il was more i'm
poriant than anything else.
| Senter said he did not wish to re
tard the investigation. but did no
want to obstruct legislation.
Senator Harper-"I want to take u
this matter now. No senator has
right to make such charges, insult
ing senator's. If he is not prepared {
substantiate his charges with facts"
Thomas--"You would not want t
force this investigation before I ca
get ready for trial?"
Holsey said the charges are so 8,
rions that time should be given Thon
as He did not think the matte
should be precipitated
Hume-"We are the defendants.
the charges are true, for one, do nc
want my seat in this senate, and
they are not do not think the senate
, who made them should retain his sea
n II some one outside of the senate ha
violated the anti-lobby law the court
, are open to the senator. The senate
, who made the charges is not on tria
hut it is the senators"
Il A resolution was adopted to hay
el printed in the journal the report fu
nished by Senator Thomas to tn
4 press, and also the speech he made O
|. the question.
Brachfield was opposed to any della
whatever. He said it is not provinC
of state senate to investigate viol
tions of anti-lobby law, that il is Il