Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1912-03-29
Legislative Committee Hears
Plea by Col, Prichard for Ac-
cuSed Men While Wright
Says They Should be Expelled
TESTIMONY DlSSECTED
WITH BITTER SARCASM
Attorney for Defendants Pays
Respects to EIfego Baca, Jose
D, Sena, Col, JaramiIIo and
Chas. SpeiSs,

| Especial Dispatch I" the Morning Journal. I
| Santa Fe, y. NJ, March 21.--A tilt
between Colonel Prichard and Judge
| Wright enlivenad the proceedings this
Afternoon of the committee of fifteen
which is investigating the charge of
bribery against four members OF the
house OF representatives. So heated
| did the controversy become when
Judge Wright interrupted Colonel
| Prichard in the course OF his argu-
ment. that Colonel Prichard ordered
the Judge to sit down, to which the
Judge responded that he would not do
so. The matter was finally settled by
the committee, which succeeded In re-
storing peace between the two attor-
neys.
In an eloquent and forceful argu-
ment of an hour and three quarters
this afternoon, Colonel George w.
Prichard contended that nothing IN
the action of the four members OF the
legislature accused OF bribery was in
consistent with their innocence, and
that with the exception Of the testi-
mony of Elfego Baca, nothing In the
testimony of any Of the witnesses
showed that they had committed any
offense.
Colonel Prichard also maintained
that the prerogatives of the house had
been invaded by the civil authorities.
end that the holding of the -four men
in Jail for nearly forty-eight house,
without a complaint or warrant,
and declining to deliver them to the
sergeant-at-arms. upon the order of
the house, was In violation OF the con-
stitution. srf.
Colonel Prichard contended that II
the civil authorities were allowed to
arrest four members of the Legislature
and hold them indefinitely without a
charge being preferred, there was
nothing to prevent the arrest of
twenty members, and the stop
ping of legislative business at any
time. lie admitted that the question
had nothing to do with the guilt or
Innocence of the accused men. but
maintained that the committee should
report upon the matter, In order that
the house could take such action as
II thought proper ms precedent Tor
future similar conditions.
The committee decided by unani-
nous vote to present supplementary
report dealing with this phase OF the
question. 1t can he said that many
members of the house are OF the opin-
ion that drastic proceedings should be
taken against the jailer. sheriff and
district attorney of Santa Fe county
for their actions In the matter.
Judge T.. r. Wright, attorney for
the committee. opened the argument
this afternoon, and for nearly an hour
presented the ease for the prosecu-
tion In clear, logical, and dispas-
sionnte manner He declared that II
was n question of which a set OF wit
nesses told the truth Of the occur
fences In room a, on the night OF
March 18th, the five produced by tue
Colonel Nenceslao Jara-
mile, Jose ID. Sena. Efego Baca'
Charles A. Spiess and Apolonio A.
Sena. or the four defendants. He de-
clared that in all essential particulars
the stories told by the witnesses Tor
the prosecution were corroboratlVe.
He admitted there might be variance
on minor points. but said that In es-
sential and material features their
stories were the same. He declared
there were no constitutional questions
lnvolved. and detention of the men
had nothing to do with the matter OF
their guilt or Innocence, which was
IN. only question for the committees
to consider. He said that this was an
not a trial before a
court and that IL was not necessary To
prov. the guilt Of the accused beyond |
a reasonable doubt.
'.If the nve witnesses told the |
truth" said Judge Wright, then the I
are guilty and unfit To AS
sociate with the other members ot the
II the defendants told the !
truth. then the five witnesses for the ,
are repudiated before the
people Of New Mexico"
fudge Wright declared that II was
absurd to- contend that the republi- 1
can state executive committee had
conspired to- get four republican mem
hers OF the legislature out of the way.
a.. repudiated the insinuation that the
executive committee favored certain [
candidates for the United states ser
ate and had c"nspIred against the
four men to injure the candidacy 0
another gentleman.
coloncl Prichard began iy deciar-
ing that md q the constitution. thc
rim. of bribery could not Dee com
plet.d until the person had cast his
vote. and cited the article 81 The con
.titution defining bribery ~ voting Tor
a consideration of money or "iher
aIuable things. He cont"nded that
mis- eliminated th. chars. nf bribery
md the only question remaining wsr
IN the matter of soliciting hrtbe.
To hear Elfego Bsca's story - this
.ffsfr said Colonel Prichard. you