The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1913-12-24

on unsubstantial allegations, there is
a suspicion that the real sensation
will be sprung at the next trial.
Those who have worked up the case
against Senator Hobbs are confident
of a conviction. They claim to
have surrounded him with such "a web
Of evidence that his escape will be
impossible.
The conviction of Senator Hobbs
will not insure the conviction Of
Lieutenant Governor Bilbo, but, on
the other hand, if he is acquitted,
Lieutenant Governor Bilbo will likely
not be brought to trial.
Stalking Political Future
No man in the state is better ac-
quanted with the political conditions
and the frame of mind of the people
than the governor. He is wagering
his political future on the conviction
of two Of his most bitter enemies. If
he is disturbed over the prospect
there is no indication of it. There
is no question about the jury. Both
sides are satisfied with it and the
verdict ought to be sufficient to sat
isfy the minds of the people as 10
the guilt or innocence of the de
PENDANTS.
The legislature convenes on Jan.
6, Lieutenant Governor BlIb1 and his
faction dominate both branches, If
Senator Hobbs is acquitted Cover
nor Brewer will be confronted with
the possibility of Impeachment.
The consequences do not appear to
be disturbing the governor, who is
going ahead, giving the state the
benefit of all the evidence he can
gather to aid in making out the
case.
The legislative investigating COM
mittce will collect some evidence in
the case during the week, but it will
in no wise interfere with the court
proceedings Its report to the legis-
lature will probably bring on the
fireworks in the legislature. The
state has law which gives i'm
munity to persons who testify before
the legislature on matters under in
vestigation. Some are Of the opinion
that the legislative investigating COM
mittee is clothed with the same au-
thority but it is only certain that
the legislature has it.
immunity for Bilbo2
Whether or not Lieutenant Cover
nor Bilbo could claim immunity after
having been indicted is a question
which is not settled. If the legisla-
ture gets the idea that the perse-
cution which the lieutenant governor
is complainingi of actually exists, it
might not be difficult to amend the
law against felony if it gets the no
ton tha, it is a political lawsuit.
ing. 1t is favorable to the lieutenant
The legislatures composes a set of
high class men, generally speaking. 1t
favors to the lieutenant governor
only so far as it believes he is on
the level 1t would oppose the gov
ernor only for the reason that it
should conclude he is not. This
makes the disposition of the Hobbs
case crucial matter at this season
The defense will no doubt endeay-
or to carry the case over the pres
ent term and beyond the term of Of
flee of Judge E. C. Mounger.
His term expires with the end OF
the year. The defense claims that
the best the state can get out OF
the case in the event it extends
beyond that period is a mistrial.
The attorneys for the state claim
that another judge may take the case
where the present Judge leaVes on
and go ahead with it. 1t would be
possible for the governor to reappoint
Judge Mounger with the understand
ing that the Judge should reign
when the present trial is over. 1t is
not thought the governor would ap-
point him on any other condition.
The next term of court is IN
March. That will be the earliest
time that Lieutenant Governor Bilbo
can be brought to trial. What the
Jury does with the case it has be-
fore it and what the Legislature does
in the meantime will. in measure,
determine If the case shall ever be
brought TO trial.
Lieutenant Governor Bilbo is as
confident as Governor Brewer. He is
stronger with his friends now than
at any other time. The only way
to keep him from galloping into the
governors office is to send him to