The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1910-04-08
GRAND JURY
Will Investigate
Judge Stout Orders Probing
Of Legislative Rumors.
Third House Leaders May be
Called to Explain Connection
With Many Bills.

Stout began the April term of the
Circuit Court here today and created
a sensation by giving explicit in
structions to the grand jury to make
a full and complete investigation OF
the charges of bribery made against
members of the Legislature recently
In session.
He told the grand jury that there
was but one man more contmeptible
than a legislator who sells out his
nedghbors and friends by taking a
bribe to vote against them interests
and wishes, and that is the man who
gives the bride.
He said to the grand JURORS:
81 don't want you to think this is
a mere formal charge. / want you to
make an earnest and fearless investi-
cation of this alleged bribery, about
which the State press has been teem-
ing for weeks. No particular legisla-
tor has ben named as being guilty,
but II there is any truth in these
charges, / want you to fasten it on
the ones who are guilty"
The scope of the investigation is
untrammeled. The grand jury can sun
mon before 1t as witnesses all men,
bers of the General Assembly, which
adjourned sine die on March 10; also
the best known members of the "Thirl
House. those who were identified
by newspaper accounts with the
operations of. that extra-constitutlon-
al body, and who at no time have
entered any denial of such connec-
ton.
When there first we're rumors
current concerning alleged wrong
full use of money to influence legis-
lation Judge Stout was importuned
to call special grand jury to in
vestigate the charges, but he refus-
ed at the time ito do SO, saying that
he would instruct the April grand
jury to make all inquiries into the
matter.
Now the matter is in the hands
of the twelve men who were i'm
paneled today and who sit for si0days
unless by an order of the court they
sit longer. 1t is within their power
to summon witnesses from all parts
OF the State and to inquire of these
witnesses on oath what each knows
or has heard concerning the allega-
tions which have been given pub
licity in the press OF on the streets
or anything which In any way will
tend to help in ascertaining the truth
or falsity of the charges.
In view of the fact that there re-
Gently has been a legislative in
quiry in New York, and that there
has been grand Jury investigation
in Pittsburg. 1t is of interest to re-
view the provisions of Kentucky law
with respect to bribery.
The punishment of legislator who
is convicted of accepting bride Is
forfeiture of office, fine of from $500
to $1,000, ten years Suspension of his
rights of suffrage, and forever to be
barred from holding a position of pub
lie trust or profit
1t Is not known II the present grand
jury investigation will go further
back than the session OF the Assem-
bly, Just closed. There was all Hon,s
of talk concerning the Bradley Beck
ham Senatorial race of 1908. but MOTH
ing ever came Of 1t, and the charges
OF spending money generally were re-
garded as baseless, or, even 1t true,
not to be proved.
OF course the most noted piece of
legislation in connection with which
rumors of illegal use OF money were
rife was the County Unit bill, which
was defeated in. the Senate by a
small majority after passing the
House of Representatives by vote
of better than 2 to l.
But there were other bills which
were mentioned, including the New
comb telephone bill, placing these
public utility companies under the
control of the State Railroad Com
mission and prescribing maximum
rates for the same, and the Louisville
ripper" bill. in the defeat of which
It's hackers professed to read the