The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1911-11-14
DECLARES IN THE SENATE THAT
IMMUNITY BILL" is AIMED
AT HIMSELF ALONE.
SAYS he WILL VOTE FnR IT
Claimed That This Was the Eighth
Attempt to Destroy Him and While
He Opposes Further fractional Poll
tics He will Amply Defend Himself.
Special 20 The Net1S.

Special 70 The Nei1S.
Jackson Miss, Nov. 14.-Senator
Theodore G. Bilbo appeared in the
role of martyr before the Mississippi
Senate Monday afternoon in an effort
to muster sympathy against the Thig-
pen Immunity Bill" suggested by
Governor Noel to facilitate the prose-
cution of bribery and remove the bar
of the statute of limitation against
the crime
The measure introduced by Senator
Thigpen was called up during the
morning session. The anti-adminis-
tration forces. following a conference
Saturday night and this morning,
made a determined stand against the
measure. The Judiciary Committee
of the Senate reported unfavorably on
the bill, claiming that it was not an
urgent piece Of legislation and furth-
er that it was blow aimed at one
man. substitute for the Thigpen
bill was offered. 1t is a companion to
the bill introduced in the House, and
this fact lent it support when it was
passed in lieu of the original bill.
The only difference between the
substitute and the original bill as Of
fered by Senator Thigpen is that it
gives the circuit judges the power to
grant immunity to witnesses testify
ing in bribery cases. and it aims at
not only the giver but the taker of
bribes.
Bibo Moves Adoption. y,
Senator Bilbo arose shortly after
the substitute was offered, and moved
its adoption Senator Logan started
a long drawn out debate whe he con-
tended that the Harper amendments
which were offered to the original bill
We're up for discussion when the Sem
ate adjourned The chair was in
formed by Senator Price that amend
ments we're not in order after bill
had been read three times. The chair
( responded it was not aware tnat the
bill had been read three times. Sem
ator Seawright took the floor to ex-
plain the object of the substitute bill.
He said that he was of the opinion
that the minority report Of the Judici-
airy committee, of which he was a
member, would have been sufficient
and that the bill would not be passed
at this session of the legislature He
said that there are none more anxi-
GUS and willing than himself to up
hold the criminal laws of the State,
and then explained that the substi-
tute he offered differed little from the
original bill
The Senate chamber was crowded
when Senator Bilbo, against whom
the bill is said to be aimed, took the.
floor. 1t was the first time his voice
has been raised during the eleven
of the session. Many ladies were
attendance. He explained that
reason he did not take part in the {
bates was because he was not
sympathy with the session; anoth,
was that because he has Just con
out of a heated campaign and did nc
want to wear the patience of thos
who oppose him.
Rather Loud Whispers, En-?
He said that his name has been
whispered about, and that he has
come to realize that it was a duty he
owed himself and his constituents to
speak
! "This is the eighth specific attempt
to destroy me-" he declared, and he
enumerated the attacks made on him
during the campaign in which his
character was assailed when a boy,
the alleged attempt on his life by ].
J. Henry, at Starkville; the attempts.
to defeat him at the polls. and al
other recent attempt last Tuesday ~
/ turn the vote Of the Democrs
against him by a concerted sche
which was started last August. II
He referred to a conversation ~
/ to have taken place in the EdwjrI
hotel. declaring that Bob Miller px6I
Continued on Page Five.)
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