The Tupelo journal., 1910-07-08
Noel Tells Of That Visit.
It Was Sought by Bilbo.

tained bribes, including one to
restrict sales Of furniture on the
installment plan, introduced by
him apparently, as were some
others, for the purpose of being
corrupted.
when a representative of the
Associated Press came to jack
son to overlook the reporting OF
the Investigations by the legis-
lature and grand jury, and asked
me about giving an interview. |
told him personally, as | had told
others, that neither Mississippi
nor it's people should be greatly
censured because a few of the
one hundred and seventy-eight
legislators developed into graft
ers, for its reputation since the
days of reconstruction had been
as clear as that of any other
state in the Union, and that !
wished every guilty man should
be exposed and punished. but |
did not know Of but two, giving
their names, including Bilbo's,
who had the reputation of being
grafters.
"At the time Bilbo charged
himself with seeking and obtain
ing a bribe in a matter of which
he was not then suspected, he
was known to have had a large
sum of money for which he could
give no honest account, and was
suspected of having received
bribes in about a half dozen in
stances, and of having stolen a
large sum Of money, as | after
wards learned, from the pocket
of a sleeping man; and also Of
having solicited and obtained
funds, including several hundred
dollars from one man, for the
purpose of legitimately promot-
ing the cause of a constitutional
convention; and of having ap-
propriated the money and re-
fused to pay it to the treasurer
Of an organization backing that
project, and Of applying none OF
it to the expenses incurred ex
cept seven dollars, and promises
of more when his conduct was
under investigation before the
senate. AS Illustrating his char
acter, reliable man told me
that he heard Bilbo delivered a
sermon or lecture at church IN
Marion county, and that on the
same Sunday, in the evening,
according to his direct informa-
ton, Bilbo came to Jackson, OBJ
tained a bottle of liquor from a
blind tiger and spent the whole
or part of the night at a house of
| ill fame here, and when his at
tention was called to such con-
duct in connection with his
preaching that day, he replied
that preaching was one of his
ways Of getting along. | gave
all information of Bilbo which !
then had to the circuit judge at
the March term Of the court,
and to the legislature, including
his call to the mansion. In CIV
ing testimony before the bribery
committee of the house, of which
Mr.. Herbert Holmes was tie
chairman. suggested his not re-
porting. unless he so desired, Il e
evidence of that visit, as | did
4
not wish to give it needless pub
licity.
.sBilbo, who has neither mon
ey nor means to meet his per-
sonal debts, is now canvassing
the state in an apparent effort tt
,be-slime and weaken those wht
sought to have his infamies ex-
posed and punished, and to Sc
cure immunity by falsely arous
ing prejudice and sympathy
j While deeply deploring th'
necessity, I feel it to be m.
1 duty, under existing circum
stances, to publicly explain hi
visit to the governors mansion
which he is so much exploiting
with all the attendant circum
stances, including the motive
/ by which he is apparently actual
ed; SO that those who may Civ
|. him aid and fellowship ma,