The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-02-11
LIVELY TILT IN SENATE.
Thomas Investigation Brings on
Warm Debate.


the Thomas investigation matter came
up. BY unanimous vote the senate. on
motion OF Senator Brachfield. welt
into committee Of the whole
Senator Meachum resigned from the
investigation committee Senator
Greer was appointed. Senator Thomas
reaching him.
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 in the press, that
he had never said that Thomas would
be III danger OF personal violence
should he make these charges: that
he advised Thomas in friendly spirit,
when he learned Thomas intended to
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 he
had no objection to him (Meachum)
being on the committee: further. that
the statement made by Thomas that
ne tMeachump was not in favor of the
enforcement Of the anti.lObby law was
incorrect and untrue. as he had voted
for the measure at the last session.
Thomas-"Did say | was going to
make any statement that would be
construed as rejecting on honesty
and integrity of any member of the
senate?1
Meachhm-'yo did not: but the
language used could not have been
construed as only reflecting on mem.
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 It
came through the mail from Farmers.
vile from citizens who endorse the
stand I 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
CT - int sp,1 ~
to consider the charges.
Senator Thomas and Meachum had
a debate as to whether Meachum
would remain on the committee. Thorn.
as said he iii not object to Meachum
If he had no unkind feeling toward
him
The chair announced that Thomas
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 not
to the enforcement of anti.
lobby law.
Meachum then said that he was in
favor Of enforcement Of anti-lobby law
and had voted for it.
Senator Sturgeon said he had had a
with Thomas and the latter
wants to investigation set for hearing
on certain day; that he is not a
lawyer and wants to engage counsel;
that it is only fair to Thomas, as he |
wants to reduce his charges to writing. |
Sturgeon suggested that the hearing |
be held next Tuesday
Senator Senter was opposed to the |
Tearing in the daytime and suggested |
that il be at night. as there are so |
many important measures coming up |
for consideration
Thomas said that would suit him |
perfectly. as the people could then at |
Tend the hearing.
Hume insisted that the hearing
should be held in the broad light of |
lay; that such charges are more inn
Dortant than any measures pending in
he legislature. the honor and integrity |
II the senator's; that it was more inn
Dor' ant than anything else
Senter said he did not wish to re-
fard the investigation but did not
want to obstruct legislation.
Senator Harper-"I want to take IN
his matter now No senator has a
light to make such charges, insult
ng senators, if he is not prepared to
his charges with facts"
Thomas-"You would not want to
cree this investigation before I can
get ready for trial."
Ho'sey said the charges are so Sc.
'ious that time should be given Thorn.
Is. He did not think the matter
should be precipitated.
Hume--"We are the defendants, III
he charges are true. I for one, do not
want my seat In this senate. and if
hey are not do not think the senator
Who made them should retain his seat.
{ some one outside of the senate has
'iolated the anti-lobby law the courts
Ire open to the senator The senator
Who made the charges is not on trial,
mt IT is the senator's"
A resolution was adopted to have
rinted in the journal the report fur.
ished by Senator Thomas to the
ress. and also the speech he made on
he question