The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1916-03-31
HOUSE LISTENS TO !
PROBE TESTIMONY
IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS ~
COMMITTEE IN SECRET
SESSIONS.
NEWSPAPER MEN BARRED
Legislators Reverse First Decision %
Hold Open Session Of EdaIneton
HearIns-News at the state
Capitol.
Nashville

After having once voted 10 conduct
an open investigation of the charges
against Judge Edgington. the house
has reversed itself and by vote Of
81 to "a has adopted a resolution to
exclude from the hearings all persons
not members or attaches Of the house.
The resolution changing the plan Of
action was offered by Representative
Elkins. OF Gibson, at the suggestion Of
Speaker Cooper, who is chairman Of
the investigating committee. The res
olution was opposed by Representa-.
tive Levine of Hamilton, who urged
that newspaper men be admitted to
the sessions.
When the house adjourned the In.
vestigating committee went ino execu.
tive session, only other members OF the
house being admitted, and the sergeant
at arms elected some half dozen news
paper men who are here to report the
proceedings.
Charges against Attorney General
Estes Of Memphis will be taken up
when the testimony In the Edgington
case is concluded. Probably not more
than three days will be devoted to each
case.
Speaker W. P. Cooper has announc-
ed the appointment of Representative
A. B. Galloway, Shelby; Frank West.
Knox; Clyde Shropshire, Davidson: H.
T. Stewart, Cannon; John B. Ridley,
Williamson; w. R. Miller. Lauderdale;
w. ]. Ward, White; d. A. Greene.
Hamblen. and @. r. Barnes, Washing.
ton. as members of the investigating
committee. Messrs, West, Greene and
Barnes are Republicans. and the 9th.
ers are Democrats.
Speaker Cooper and John d. Green,
clerk Of the house, were named, by
resolution, exofficio members of>the
committee. to serve as chairman and
secretary, respectively.
The report OF the lawyers commit.
tee appointed by the Memphis bar to
consider the charges against Judge
Edgington was read before the iouse.
Many Memphians Testify.
Great progress has been made in
the legislative investigation of charges
against Judge Jesse Edgington, and
on Marco "a the committee adjourned
until Mlasy, when the hearing viii
',{sr.s - ~ = ar - NE
nesses e. be heard.
The house win take up he charges
against Attorney-Genesal Estes imme-
diately after dlsposing Of the Edging-
ton CASE.
Pete Monteverde OF Memphis. who
alleged that he gave Judge Edgington
$1,000 to modify an Injunction against
a brewing c0ppany. was the star wit.
ness. Montevesde was on the stand |
for more than an hour. He was close
ly questioned regarding his charge |
and was frequently Intercepted by
members OF the house.
Israel Peres testified about his visit |
10 Judge Edgington at the request Of |
certain persons to give the Judge q
chance to resign and avoid impeach.
ment charges.
Harry B. Anderson, who demanded
Of Judge Edgington in open court eth
or to force Memphis paper to prove
is charges by citing the editor for
Of court or resign from the
bench, read his written petition be-
ore the committee.
Others who testified were former
Sheriff Tate, d. B. Sweeney and Abe
John. Many other Memphians have
,een on the witness stand.
e. B. Dye has been appointed as
istant sergeant-at-arms at Memphis TO
summon witnesses from that city.
It is understood that the committee
will set out in the articles of impeach
nent charges of personal conduct as
veil as official conduct. The articles
4 impeachment will be kept secret
Until proof Is taken and will then be
to the house Of representa-,
ives.