The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1911-05-16
WILL NOT SPARE 3
GUILTY SOL0NS
Senator Todd OisClalms Intent
to Apply WhlteWash.
WANTS TO PROTECT INNOCENT

AZ Chairman Of Senate Probe Com
mittee Franklin County Legislator
Explains objects Of Inquiry-Wili
Cooperate with Grand Jury and
Will Not Grant Immunity to Those
Who Testify as to Alleged Crooked
Work by Lobbyists.
Columbus, o., May 10. - The atti-
tude of the committee named by the
senate to Investigate charges of
bribery against: members Of the gen.
cral assembly with reference to the
inquiry now being conducted by Pros
ecuting Attorney Turner and the
Franklin county grand jury, was
made clear in statement issued by
Chairman John Il. Todd OF Franklin
county. After reviewing events which
led up to the appointing OF the com
mittee, its organization. the appoint
meDt OF subcommittee and prepara-
lions for an exhaustive investigation
into all charges and rumors affecting
the integrity OF the members Of the
general assembly, Senator Todd
makes the assertion that Immediately
following the naming OF the commit
tee an organized effort to effect its
disruption was set in motion by GER.
tain friends of the members, who
urged them to resign. He also AYERS
that "the columns of the daily papers
we're filed with insinuations that the
action Of the senate In appointing a
committee was for the purpose OF
'whitewashing' members of the gen.
eral assembly or giving them immu.
nifty from prosecution by calling
them to testify before the commit
tee"
Chairman Todd asserts that these
efforts to disrupt the committee and
TO discredlt It in advance of its actual
investigation and report was appar-
emily to prevent any investigation by
the general assembly of the charges
made against the members. Mr..
Aooh Nu'h
Denies Published Statements.
"The published statements that 1t
is the intention and purpose OF the
committee to grant immunity to
members of the general assembly is
wholly without foundation.
II am authorized by the committee
TO say that It Is not the intention OF
the committee to In any way inter
fere with or hamper the work OF the
grand Jury of Franklin county, nor Is
permit any member OF the general as
Bembly to secure immunity whom the
prosecuting attorney OF Franklin
county believes he can indict and
convict OF wrongdcing.
a 9'lf there are any members OF the
general assembly guilty of the crime
OF bribery or soliciting bribes, the
chairman of the committee certainly
expresses his own sentiments and, he
believes, the sentiments of the entire
committee, that such persons SHOULD
be ascertaned and tittingly punished
and so far as the chairman of the
committee can control It's actions
nothing viii be done that will In any
way interfere with the accomplish
ment OF this result, There ~, how
ever, field of inquiry in which the
committee can appropriately and
proiitably work without In any way
Interfering with the legitimate scope
OF the work of the grand jury.
'The charges made reflect upon al
members of the general assembly. the
innocent as well as the guilty. II if
certainly the right AMI the duty oil
the general assembly, through its
own action. TO acquit innocent mem
bers of that body from the unjust in
been made against them,
Popular clamor unheeded.
ITO this work the committee viii
FIRST address ITSELF uninfuenced by
fear or favor and undeterred by mis-
representations or popular clamol
aroused thereby.
''lf the investigation should dis
close that any members of the gen
eral assembly have been guilty of I'm
proper conduct. II is not only tn,
right, but the duty of that body e
purge itself OF such unworthy mem
bers This duty tho chairman be
lieyes the committee will also fear
iessly discharge"