Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-03-29
SENATORS DECIDE
To PROBE RUMOR
Fitzherbert's Name Connected
With Report and Commit
tee Will Investigate.
[FrOm a STAFF Correspondent

TRENTON, March 29.-The Senate
passed a resolution last night ordering
an investigation of the rumor that has
connected the name of Senator Richard
Fitzherbert, of Morris, with a story
that he was improperly connected with
the Lehigh Valley officials, in h mat
ter of the Morris Canal abandonment
bill. The resolution was presented by
Senator Edge. 1t had been prepared
some time ago, and it was intimated
by the Republicans that 1t would be
offered unless Fitzherbert resigned.
This he has not done.
The resolution sets forth that Sena-
tor Fitzherbert has not denied the
rumors, nor made any explanation, and
asks that a committee Of three be
named to make an inquiry. This COM
mittee shall have power to sit at such
times and places as it may deem ad-
visabie, both during the continuation
of the present session and subsequent
to the adjournment thereof, and shall
have power TO subpoenae witnesses
and compel their attendance.
When he offered the resolution Mr..
Edge said that in view of the fact that
there has been i%nsinuations involving
TIC IdIHc VI tLS phOlAlo oONAiS pNht-
tor, he thought that the investigation
should be made, and welcomed by
Fitzherbert. These rumors have ap-
peared,, said Mr.. Edge, but we have
seen no denial of any sort. In justice
to everyone 1 think we should appoint
a committee to find out what there is
in these charges"
Senator Fielder said:
ARA t-xI.- a. 49, ft.4 4l{n ,.,nI,4IAu
is In line with persecution. Before the
other trial was held there We're charges
In writing. Now the Senator from At
lantic proposes to act on hearsay. 1t
seems to me that the present action is
another attempt TO humiliate Fitz-
herbert"
''This looks like an effort" continued
Fielder, ito rake UP a scandal that
may amount to nothing at all. I know
that some members Of the Senate that
believe that nothing further can be
brought out that will harm Fitzher-
bert. Fol these men I feel sorry"
Senator Edge replied to the effect
that he did not wish to convict a man
on hearsay, and because he wished to
be fair he thought that the investiga-
ton should be made.
MIR. F1eIdef SAID: Ihls may seem
strange to the Senator from Atlantic,
but try to put yourself in Fitzherbert's
place. He believes that he is inno-
cent. He also knows that he was
convicted by eleven votes, a majority
of the Senate. Would you in face of
such conviction come here and ask
that an investigation should be made"
Senators Gebhardt and Davis said
that although they believed Fitzher-
bert innocent and voted TO keep him
in the Senate, they felt that the rumor
should be investigated. Senator Geb-
hardt said that he had looked into the
case himself and was convinced hat In
three hours the whole thing could be
settled.
Senator Edge agreed with Senator
Leavltt, who said hat nome of the
three Senators to be appointed would
wish to work longer than was ALSO
lutely necessary. Those who voted
In favor of the resolution are Colgate,
Davis. Edge, Gaunt, Gebhardt. Hand.
Johnson. Leavitt. Lewis, Nichols,
Pierce, Prince. Read, Slocum and
Smalley.