The Tupelo journal., 1910-04-29
TWO REPORTS ON BRIBERY
MAJORITY SAYS PERCY WAS HON.
ORABLY AND FAIRLY ELECTED.
Minority Says Whisky, Patronage and
Undue influence Were Used to Defeat
Vardaman.

Holmes of the probing committee pre-
scented the following majority report:
"We have examined siXty-seven wit
nesses, and all the testimony, including
questions and answers, is now being
Transcribed by the stenographers and
will be published, as heretofore provided
for by resolution of this house. In the
examination of witnesses we have spared
no time OF expense in trying to arrive at
the truth, bringing witnesses here from
all parts of the state and running down
each rumor that came to our knowledge,
and examined every witness that we had
any knowledge of whom was supposed to
know, or even if it were rumored that he
knew, any facts that would aid us in our
investigation.
"After what we believe to be a full
and thorough investigation, We have
single instance where the vote of a mem
Der was corruptly influenced, and because
thereof voted for some candidate other
than his own choice.
I'm the opinion of your committee,
Senator Leroy Percy was fairly and
honorably nominated by the Democratic
caucus. Respectfully submitted,
"HERBERT HOLMES, Chairman.
ivan B. BODIE.
IN. P. FOY.n y
Minority Report.
The minority report, prepared Z by
Messrs. A. c. Anderson and Lee M.
Russell, was as follows:
1--WE, the undersigned members of the
house investigation committee under the
Foy resolution of March 10, 1910, beg
leave to submit the following minority
report:
1--WE preferred that our committee sub
NIT to you the full and complete tran-
scribed notes of the photographer with
out comment, for the reason that each
of you and each citizen of the state is
fully competent to draw his own con-
illusions from the testimony.
"We take it hat if you desire a re-
port at all you wish only that we pre-
sent to you in the concise form the ma
terial things brought out in the inves-
tigation. There is TOP much evidence
to go into detail as to it all. We SUBJ
NIT some of the most important as we
view it..
"First-We believe. that undue influ-
ence by the improper use of liquor was
used upon at least one member of the
house. This membl was changed from
his original c%onvicA IN, and, being un-
fortunately addicted to the use of strong
drink, was by this improper influence
oyerpersuaded to vote against his real
convictions.
''Second-The evidence shows, further,
that in the other instances other mem
bers of the legislature were approached
and asked if money or political position
would persuade them to change their
vote, and this, as We believe, was very
improper.
"Third-Even the patronage of the
federal government is shown to have
been brought into play and used in the
caucus We say, however, hat we have
no evidence that any federal official
knew that such was being done.
"Fourth-We submit that the execu-
tive patronage of Mississippi was used
with telling effect. We do not mean by
this statement hat our chief executive
promised any office to any person to
influence any vote; there is no evidence
of that. But we do say that the gov
ernor conferred and advised continually,
and this was well known to every mem.
Der of the caucus, with all the 'opposi-
sition' candidates, their friends and
members of the caucuses to the best
methods to solidify the opposition and
to persuade some members supporting
ex-Gov. Vardaman to change their votes,
was highly improper. In view of the
well-known fact that Gov. Noel, as
stated in his evidence before the com
mittee, and in his public utterance, that
all things being about equal he would
appoint his friends, we believe from the
evidence submitted that under the in
tense state of feeling that existed
throughout the caucus this state of af.
fairs had a strong tendency to prevent
freedom in casting the ballot.
'Fifth-The evidence shows also that
some men during the caucus changed
their votes. Their explanations therefor
are in evidence, and while we do not inn
pugn their motives, we call your atten.
ton to their testimony.
'sSeventh-Whisky was used exces-
sively during the caucus, but there is no
proof that any intoxicants were dis
pensed in the headquarters of any of the
candidates. LEE M. RUSSELL.
"a. G. ANDERSON"