New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-03
WON'T HEAR LEGISLATORS
Ohio Grand Jury Takes No
Chances on Immunity Bath.
HARMON AND BLAIR TESTIFY
Governor Appeals to Republicans
- Accused Representatives
Associates Quit Committee.
nv Telegraph 70 The Tribune


Columbus. Ohio. May 2-There was a
rush Of legislators 10 the Franklin County
grand jury rooms to-day when that body
took up the investigation OF alleged cor
ruption In the Legislature. They were
eager TO tell what they knew. but none
were permitted 10 testify. Attorney Gen
cral Hogan having determined to permit
no chance for an immunity bath.
Yesterday other immunity pleas were
headed of when an investigation by a
legislative committee was deferred until
after the grand fury should finish its work.
The grand jury was in session all day
Among it's witnesses. besides detectives who
disclosed the alleged corruption. was Gov
ernor Harmon. Judge A. u. Blair, oil
Portsmouth. who conducted the recent cam
paign which resulted In the disfranchise-
ment of eighteen hundred voters in Adams
County for election frauds. was also Wit
ness. bill is pending in the Assembly 70
legsate Blair of the bench. Rumors have
been current Of wrongdoing in connection
with this measure.
The House Calendar Committee. Of which
Dr. George B. Nye. one Of the early CEN
trail figures in the alleged bribery disclo-
sures, was an active member. vent out or
existence to-day. The Republican and DEM
ocratic floor leaders, Representative Lang
don and Russell. respectively. first declared
they would resign from the committee I'M
less Or. Nye and one other quit at once.
The two threatened members declined. but
later all of the seven members. save DR..
Nye, turned in their designations TO the
House. The House adjourned without de-
Gliding what action TO take on the resigna-
tons.
Representative Greeves to-day introduced
give legislators. convicted OF bribery, a
penitentiary sentence.
Marked Money Not Found.
II was asserted to-day that the money
which DR.. Nye said he had received as
brihes and which he turned over to Speaker
Nining vas not in the same denomination
OF marked bills which the detectives assert
ed they paid TO Mr.. Nye.
The amount. 500. was correct. however.
Nye received the money three weeks ago,
but did not turn the envelope over 20
Speaker vining until last Thursday.
Governor Harmon made personal appeal
to-day TO Representative Lawrence *.
Langdon. Republican floor leader of the
House. 10 influence the Republicans 10 get
together with the Democrats and clear up
the clouded atmosphere which has over
spread the actions OF the present Legis-
lature. The Governor urged that the meas
ures which the people wanted should be
passed and that no hndrance be placed IN
the way OF progressive legislation.
When the grand jury resumes work to-
morrow It will summon before il represent
atives Of the State Board OF Commerce
the Anti saloon League and the Personal
Liberty League. as well as the heads Of
| half dozen large corporations, among
them the Cleveland Underground Railway
| Company. They will be asked II demands
for money had been made by legislators.
The extent 10 which the corruption is
said to have gone Is shown by the report
that the head Of ono OF the state admins
trative departments had been approached
by legislator. who demanded money for
aiding the passage OF a bill which would
by that department
A significant indication OF the unrest
existing in the Assembly came to-day when
and has blocked almost every effort of
Governor Harmon 10 secure progressive
legislation. put through two of his pet bills
the central board OF control for state IN
sti,utions and the bill providing direct
nomination of United States Senator'S, ac-
cording 10 the Oregon plan. Reactionary
Senators are betraying sudden Anxiety
10 be good.