The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-02-27
COLLAPSE
SENSATIONAL CH AR GE )
AGAINST JUDGE cox
FALL THROUGH
Investigating Committee Reports
Early This Morning-Judge
Exonerated.
(5Y W. r. kEYSER,)
(Staff Correspondent.D

CHARLESTON. W. Va. Feb. 27. 1
a. m. (Saturday)-The sensational
charges made on the floor OF the House
on Friday by Delegate r. NJ Hiner-
man. OF Marshall county. alleging an
attempt TO bribe by Judge Frank Cox,
OF Morgantown. former member of the
State Supreme Court. practically col
lapsed this morning when the report
OF the investigating committee was
submitted TO the House by Chairman
Wolfe. of jackson county. shortly be-
fore the legislature adjourned sine
die.
The investigating committee report
ed having taken the evidence OF Del
egates Hinerman and Martin Brown.
also OF Marshall. as well as that of
Judge Cox. II shows that during the
Friday morning session a message
was brought to Mr.. Hinerman by a
page TO the effect that a gentleman
wished to see him. Mr. Hinerman
sent word back 20 the gentleman, who
was Judge Cox. TO come 10 his seat,
as he was extremely busy Judge Cox
came and conversed with Mr.. Hiner-
man concerning certain amendments
10 the water power bill. The conver-
sation occurred in the aisle within
hearing OF other members. The CON
Nersauon was that Judge Cox solicit
cd Mr. Hinerman 10 accede to certain
proposed amendments To the water
power bill Mr.. Hinerman claims, ac-
cording TO the report, that Judge Cox
proposed that N Mr.. Hinerman would
accede the amendment to the water
power bill. that the excise tax bill
would be passed in the senate.
Denied Statement.
Judge Cox. according to the report.
denies making such a statement. but
admits he might have left the impress
sion with Mr.. Hinerman that the ex-
else tax bill would be passed In the
senate. The report goes on to say
that last Tuesday night. Judge Cox,
Senator Coalter and an attorney, Mr..
Dunlap. requested Mr. Hinerman to
meet az the Kanawha Hotel for the
purpose of discussing the water power
amendment. and that Hinerman and
Cox had frequently discussed the sub
ject.
Judge Cox testified that he came to
Charleston In the interests of the
state university as well as to secure
fair measure along the lines OF wat
er power development. Judge Cox
denies any intent TO do wrong and
was unaware OF the law prohibiting
lobbying on the floor of the house.
II Is the conclusion OF the commit
tee that Judge Cox. i'm soliciting Mr..
| Hinerman to accede TO the proposed
amendments on the floor OF the House
while IL was in session. violated the
( law, bu inasmuch as both masures
had been permanently disposed OF.
the committee makes no recommenda-
tions.
Delegate Hinerman was COM
mended on all sides for his prompt
ness in calling attention OF the House
! 10 the breach OF the House rules and
I the violation Of the law.
Mr.. Hincrman was chairman OF the
committee on forestry and conserva-
ton, which had the water power act
under consideration. and he was the
/ patron OF the bill and conducted the
administration fight for its passage
and against amendments which would
limit OF minimize the Jurisdiction OF
Z the Public Service Commission over
water power plants. The investiga-
tiOn committee consisted Of Delegates
Wolfe. OF Jackson; Brown. OF Mar
shall. and McCauley. OF Hardy.