The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1915-02-14

MEASURE NOW
ON CALENDAR
INTENDED TO VITALlZE CERTAIN
SECTION OF CONSTITUTION -
PROVIDES FOR REMOVAL OF
DRUNKARDs FROM OFFICE.

Oklahoma City, Feb IA bill
which has a place upon the senate
calendar is of much interest to the
prohibition forces of Oklahoma and
to persons generally who favor strict
law enforcement by officers charged
with that duty. 1t is by Senator
Mitchell and is designated in the
caption as an act providing for re-
moyal of certain officers and en-
powering the governor to fill vacan-
cies.
The act Is intended to vitalize the
for removal of officers for drunk
enness. This section was broadened
by an initiated amendment last sum
mer which makes drunkenness a
cause for removal from office instead
of the former clause of "'habtual
Drunkenness The bill also vitalizes
the older section of the constitution
that provides for Impeachment of
the elective state officers and JUS
tices of the supreme court.
Provisions of Bill.
This act gives to the supreme court
original jurisdiction of all special
proceedings provided for by this act.
Original actions may be instituted
in thn followinU pnaunor.
"0D. A grand jury may present an
accusation against any such officer
within the county within and for
which such grand Jury is sitting,
charging said officer with official
misconduct as defined by section 4 of
this act.
r(2). The attorney general may,
upon direction of the governor, pre-
sent an accusation against any Of
ficer, charging said officer with Of
fetal misconduct at defined by sec
tion of this act
"(3). The Board of County com
missioners may present an accusa-
tion against any such county officer
within their county, charging said
officer with official misconduct as
defined by section 4 of this act
200. Official misconduct, within
the meaning of this act, is hereby
defined to be:
"1D. Any failure or neglect to dill
gently and faithfully discharge any
duty of the office with reference to
the enforcement of any state law.
"(2). Drunkenness.
Sec 3. Whenever an action is
commenced under tins act, whether
by presentment of an accusation by
a grand jury or by the attorney gen
eral upon the direction of the COVER
nor or by IA board Of county com |
missioners, the accusation shall be
presented to the supreme court direct |
and there filed in tripliuate with the
clerk of said court, who shall forth
with docket the case in the name of
the state upon relation of said grand
Jury or the attorney general or said
board of county commissioners, as
the case may be, against such accus-
ed officer as defendant and there
upon the clerk shall certify to such
of said action upon
one of said triplicate accusations
and Immediately mail the same by
registered mail to said accused Of
iicer, who shall have twenty days
thereafter within which to plead to
said accusation.
Governor to Fill Vacancies.
Sec. s. The governor is hereby
and empowered to fill all
vacancies in office, both temporarily
md permanent, occasioned by any
action brought in accordance with
his act including vacancies occas-
oned by resignation after the COM
nencement of an action under this
act.
Sec. 9. No officer who is suspend
ID from office during the course OF