The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-04-12
Special Message Urging Ac-
tion In Big Scandals
Is Issued
GREAT OBSTACLES IN
WAY OF THE inquiry
Cases LIS Necessary and VIII Have
Corrective Effect Upon Future
of the State

Albany, April 11.-Declaring that the
recent revelations in the Allds-Conger
bribery inquiry and the facts brought out
in the insurance investigation by Super
intendent of Insurance Hotchkiss have
caused every honest citizen to tingle with
shame and indignation and have made
Irresistible the demand that every proper
means should be employed to purge and
to purify Governor Hughes, sent a spe-
cial message to the legislature tonight
recommending an immediate, impartial
thorough and unsparing investigation into
legislative practices and procedure and
into the use of corrupt or improper means
for the promotion or defeat of legislation
Accompanying the message was a pre-
liminary report of Superintendent Hotch-
kiss, outlining the facts developed at the
fire insurance investigation in New York
and setting forth the difficulties encoun-
tered IN following up the various leads
which have been uncovered.
The superintendent says that obstacles
apparently insuperable have developed in
the course of the inquiry. These, in his
Judgment, he says, warrants further In
vestigation. but he has no power to pur-
sue them. and therefore has laid the facts
for action.
The governor says in part:
Privilege of Legislature
ut is the high privilege of the legisla-
ture in the discharge of its obligations to
Itself and the people of the state to fol-
low the salutary action already taken in
It's upper branch by appropriate steps at
each exposure and destruction of combi-
nations and conspiracies against the Just
use of the law-malking power and by af-
fording suitable protection against the re-
currence. OF such abuses. This is a prom
ising opportunity to pursue the opening
trails of corrupt propagandas; to reveal
illicit methods and agencies; to uncover
the perfidious influences which have dis
honored the state, and thus to aid in Sc
curing the wholesome exercise of its
beneficient authority.
1T is the unquestioned prerogative of
the legislature to inquire into the course
of legislation, the integrity of legislative
procedure, and the means by which its
action has been procured frustrated. The
legislature is entitled to know how,
wherein, and by whom 1t has been de-
ceived and its powers perverted.
Eject of Publicity
Important as will be the wholesome
and corrective influence of publicity with
respect to these matters, the purpose and
result of inquiry extend beyond the
bounds of mere disclosure No subject
deserves more thorough consideration to
the end that the opportunities of those
who are willing to buy legislative favor
or use representatives for personal BEN
ehts should be limited to tthe utmost de-
gree. 1t may be impossible wholly to
eradicate these evils, but to the extent
that tho nature of the Illicit intercourse
Is understood and the methods and in
strumentalties which have been success
fuI are exposed there may be intelligent
effort at remedial action through both
statutes and legislative rules.
''The time is ripe in my Judgment
for full and painstaking inquiry to
expose the worst of public wrongs and
to prepare the way for the needed
Improvements in our laws and leeisla-
tive processes.
II therefore recommend an imme-
Hate. impartial, thorough and unspar-
Ing investigation into legislative prac-
tices and procedure and into the use
Of corrupt or improper means for the
promotion or defeat of legislation such
Inquiry not to be limited to but suit
ably large to embrace the matters ad-
erced in the recent proceedings by
the Senate and those presented by
the report herewith submitted of the
superintendent of insurance in order
In SO far as evidence may be obtain
bble that the actual facts may be
known that there may be full un-
derstanding of the meth DDS and
IL.
legislative proposals and that we'll
considered resolutions for the appro-
pirate remedies may be made"
Expenditures Heavy
Superintendent Hotchkiss in his re-
port says the facts thus far disclosed
warrants the statement that legisla tive
expenditures In New York by insur-
Ance companies were particularly con-
sptcuous in the years 1901, 1908, 1904,
1903 and 1909. and notably significant
IN Two or three Of such years.
These disbursements" said he,
were made by individual companies il,
connection with legislation affecting
sucn companies by syndicates OF COM
phnles' apparently willing to do this
work for all and by the New York
board of fire underwriters, a corpora
eton supported by annual assessments $
on practically all iof the companies do
. 80 SH"AAAS~S az 4NcW Ork, and whose
committee on laws and legislation Is bv
IT. LAWS and charged with the respon-
sihiltty of watching over legislative az
fairs
The moneys so paid were disbursed
Tor travelling expenses of ind,vfduals Is
aud delegations and special retainers
outside of regular counsel, so-called
Ietainers of legislative. lawyers. con-
tr1butions to political committees. gift 9
or payments to men of political prom
1pence and influence, and in entertain
Ing legislators and others at times 4,
= somewhat lavish manner. The ar
ceergate of disbursements of this char
Acter, As the record now stands-such
disbursements being largely from tho
treasurles of fire insurance Companies
--appr0ximates and probably exceeds
Sl50.00o."
summary BY HotchSlss
Superintendent Hotchkiss, summarize
irg, says!
'In short whils &bxoIute proof shoK.