The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1913-01-15
LEGISLATURE FOR
SWEEPING PROBE
WOULD INVOLVE ALL STATE DE-
PARTMENTS AND AFFAIRS
SINCE STATEHOOD.

Oklahoma City, Jan. IA sweep
ing probe touching all state officials
departments and state affairs since
the date of statehood is embraced
in a resolution offered in the house
by Mr. Smith of Pottawatomie coun-
ity and its passage is intended to
take the place of numerous investi-
Igating committees contemplated in
other pending resolutions. The res
olution will be read a second time
tomorrow, following which a general
democratic caucus probably will take
up the question and determine the
house policy on the question of leg
islative inquiry.
The Smith resolution is joint in
! effect, and was fashioned after the
resolution adopted in Ohio, upon
which the Legislature there made an
exhaustive inquiry into the conduct
of state affairs. 1t calls for election
of three house members and two
senators by the two organizations,
who shall do the work with expert
accountants. No department, no Of
lfcial and no transaction since Ok
lahoma became a state is to be
spared under the resolutions terms
and if neglect, corruption or faith
lessness to the interests of the state
is found and the same is not barred
by the statute of limitation, pros
ecution shall be filed in the district
court under the committees direction.
1t is provided in the resolution that
upon charges being so filed the dis
trict court shall Immediately enter
an order suspending such officer
from the states services and if the
officer or employe is found guilty,
he shall not be eligible to reappont-
ment in any capacity during this ad-
ministration.
Committees Power Complete.
Powers given the committee are
complete, so far as the legislature
may award them. 1t is given power
to punish for contempt. but for fear
such power can not be taken from
the judicial branch of the govern
ment, it is provided that the con-
tempt shall be certified to a dis
trict court and there enforced.
BY use of expert accountants the
committee would determine what
disposition has been made of the
states proIVrty and examine the
books, the resolution says, of the
state pententiary management board
of affairs, state banking board school
| land department, board of education,
or any institution, "of any character
whatsoever, in the state Of Okla
homa."
Members of the committee are to
receive 81 per day, and may employ
stenographers at mt to exceed Sc
per day and accountants at 81 per
day. In addition the members get
So per day for expenses.
The resolution contemplates anoth-
er measure for a recess of the leg
islature for three or six months while
the committee is at work. thus Civ
ing it the force of legislative COM
mittee during session. The total
appropriation under the resolution is
$4,000.
The idea, in opposition to the Smith
resolution, is for an immediate al-
iournment of the legislature for three
weeks or a month, during which time
numerous committees shall be named
to investigate certain departments. !
This is to also be considered by the
caucus.
A third idea among the house mem
bers is to not have more than one |
committee working at a time and |
continue the session for the full
sixty days.
If you haev a house to move, let |
as figure with you. We will treat
you right. Phone 294. Dyer Bros,