Norwich bulletin., 1913-02-05
Senator Hurley Declares He Was Offered $500 to Remain Away From the Senate Chamber
TELLS OF MAN WHO HELD UP THREE FINGERS
Says His Absence Was Desired When Vote Taken Con- hrmation of CadwellENas Also Offered His Expenses, He Asserts-Vote to be Taken on Highway Commission ership Tuesday-Debate New London Repeal Bill

Hartford, Conn, Feb. 4.-The high
 way commissionership was the most
 important among half a thousand
 things which were brought to the at
 tention of the general assembly today
 The mystery which was thrown about
 long executive session of the senate
 was intensified by a statement public 1y made by Senator Hurley of Water
 bury that he had been offered money to absent himself from the senate
 chamber when the time comes for a vote to be taken on the nomination of
 William H. Caldwell for the office.
 Claims He Was Offered $500.
 The senator says that the offer made to him by medium of three fingers held up by 9 high city official of the other party who had been standing against the green plush curtains of the senate chamber. represented in his mind $500, and when the high city offlciaf' whis- pered in his ear that his expenses would be covered the senator took the offer to be $500 and expenses of a trip outside the state. Senator Hurley said that after he had refused to have any, thing to do with the alleged bribe of ferer, the latter asked him not to say personal matter. The senator says he did not intend to say anything, but when he saw the way they were
 using MT. CadWelPs@ he concluded to
 
 about the incident in the executive session on Tuesday next
 Resolution of Innuiry.
 It is expected, however. that 8 reso- 1ut1on will be offered in the senate to- morrow calling for an inquiry into the alleged offer of a bribe. The story told by MT. Hurley was quickly circulated among the senators and house mem bers, and as Mr. Hurley repeated it many of the former declared that the whole matter be looked into
 The executive session was held at the desire of the committee on executive nominations and presumably was in- tended to determine just what power the committee has in calling witnesses ito give information as to the qua1ifica- tIons of persons who have been noLni- mated for office by the governor. In this instance the understanding was that the committee had been looking into the qualifications of MT. Caldwell
 Record Breaking Executive Session.
 It was found, however. that the com m1ttee has all the power Of subpoenas that it needs, and the session debated the proposition put forward by Sena- tor Isbel1 of the committee that MT. Caldwell should not be furnished a copy of all the testimony given by witnesses before the committee. The senate did , vote, it is understood. that MT. Cad well should be given a copy of his own testimony fer examination and for the purpose of correction if need be. Sev- eral senators took the floor and the executive session of nearly one hundred minutes was probably a record breaker l in this state
 Debate Behind Closed Doors.
 The senate on Tuesday next will give | consideration to MT. Cadwe1Fs name | unless something unforeseen intervenes l to prevent full attendance. While 1 it is customary to confirm executive l nominations behind closed doors, many l C0vra11 h pointed out that to thresh out the 1 whole matter in executive session, l which may last for hours, was quite an | unusual proceeding The plan pro- by Senator Isbell for the republicans is adopted because of the fact that the i debate may take on a personal charac- ter
 Stevens Not Afraid of Publicity.
 MT Isbeu in plea ding for this ses- sion said that outspoken criticism and frank assertions which may be made during debate would if printed in the be wrongly taken to be attacks upon branches of the govern ment, particularly the executive and upon individuals. It was to avoid this that the committee favored action be- hind closed doors.
 Senator Stevens, republican, could not see why any senator should be afraid to stand up in open session and state his reasons for voting one way ar the other. Senator Hurley wished s2 have all appointments acted upon zaot agree to this and finally next Tues day was fixed upon for vote.
 New London Repeal Bill.
 The other matter which absorbed Interest was the MeNeil bill for re- peal of the New London appropriation. It went into the house and was the last bill. nearly, to be read in the senate business bunch of bills The effort of those opposing repeal was to get indefinite postponement. This {: failed on rollean vote. Al to "A. The house then sent the bill to the roads, bridges and rivers committee instead )f following the senate by reference to l special joint committee. It looked . IS if the McNeu bill had been checked, put Senator MeNeil, upon hearing of he house action, said he would move { 0 recede in the senate and concur with the house in order to have the ls natter considered on it's merits.
 Judge Waller ReanpoiHted, While it was difficult to estimate the 1 lumber of measures put in, the total vas believed to be well up in the hun lreds. score of resolutions te name ] udges of minor courts went in. and tmong them was one from the gever- ] lor reappointing Charles B. Waller for i he common pleas court of New Lon z lon county. Among other measures on which de- I 'ate may be expected are those pro- iding for repeal of the compulsory 2 accination law, to allow hotels with 25 ' ooms to have liquor licenses irre- i pective of the limitation law, to per- I nit of parole of long term prisoners 2 n state prison, to regulate the plac- I ice of optometry, to close the season 2 II raceoons, on deer, Hungarian par ridge and other feathered game, { hanging the hours of employment of ! Tomen and minors and abolishing the ] rec Aunch in saloons. Disposition Of Miieague Question. f Many railroad bills went in, but ' lost of these asked for amendments ( nd came from the office of the sec { etary of state. hsaSing been filed there l C nd then advertised. Judges Ralph I Fhseler and Marcus H. Holcoub were 1 t