Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-01-23
GOVERNOR PROBE
RESOLUTION IN
Presented by Sproul at Brief
Session of Senate; Sent to APP
preparations Committee

The anticipated resolution for the
investigation of the Brumbaugh ad-
ministration turned up in the Senate
last night, Senator Sproul introducing
the measure with the explanation that
he did so with the full knowledge that
he would be unable to accept appoint
ment on the investigating committee
even though it were rendered him,
due to a press of other business. Be-
fore the resolution was read Senator
Ware asked If it were to be acted upon
at once or referred to committee and
Lieutenant Governor McClain, who
was in the chair, said he could not
decide until it had been presented.
When II was read he sent it to the
appropriations committee. The Sem
ate adjourned until IL o'clock to-day
after confirming long list of notary
appointments.
Text of Sproul Resolution
The following is the joint resolution
introduced by Senator Sproul:
"A joint resolution providing for
the appointment of a committee to
Investigate alleged maladministration
in public Office, and making an appro-
priation therefor.
Whereas, statements have been
made by reputable citizens, the re-
sponsible press of this Commo monwealth
\, alleging maladministration on the part
of public officers by their gross eXtrav-
agance, by their misuse of public
funds, by their continued absence from
their respective offices, by their failure
to properly discharge duties imposed
upon them by statute, by their wilful,
malicious and unnecessary delay in
the transaction of public business by
their intimidation and coercion of en-
ployes and business interests, by their
n DI inn kfrsaf fixra
and regulative authority, by their al
legged bribery in bargaining and SELL
ing as rewards for votes of members
of the General Assembly, offices and
position created by the public and
supported by the public for the trans
action of public business, by perjury
on the part of certain officials in ac-
cepting public offices from which they
have knowingly disqualified them
selves by violating the corrupt prac-
cites act of this Commonwealth, by
repugnant and fragrant political activ-
ity on the part of semijudicial officer,
by the encroachment of the executive
upon the legislative branch of the
government; and,
Whereas, Such officers debauch,
defame and disgrace the fair name of
this Commonwealth demoralizing the
public service by their malfeasance
and hold up to ridicule it's citizenship
and
Whereas, The above-named
charges allegations concerning the
conduct of public business by it's rec
ognized officials and subordinates have
so aroused public sentiment concern
ing the administration of the affairs
OF this Commonwealth as to demand
full, free, unobstructed, comprehen-
sive and impartial investigation of the
public business; now, therefore,
Provides For Joint Commission
BE 1T resolved, by the Senate and
House of Representatives of the Com.
monwealth of Pennsylvania in general
assembly met, That joint committee
consisting of three members of the
Senate, one of whom shall be of a
minority political party, to be appoint
ed by the president pro tempore of
the Senate, and four members of the
House. one of whom shall be of a
minority political party to be ap-
pointed by the Speaker of the House,
be created for the purpose of making
full, free, unobstructed, comprehen-
sive and impartial investigation of all
and singular the aforesaid matters and
charges; and
BE it further resolved, That said
Joint committee is hereby directed to
organize forthwith, after the approval
OF this joint resolution by the Cover
nor; to hold such and as many hear
ings as it may deem necessary; to
summon witnesses to further the pur-
poses of this investigation; to issue
subpenas, administer oaths and COM
pei the attendance of such witnesses
and the production of all such books,
bills, papers, minutes, records, vouch-
ers, agreements and ALL each and
every other form of written or docu-
mentary evidence as may be pertinent
! or germane to the inquiry; and
BE 1t further resolved, That the
said joint committee shall be vested
with the fullest and most complete
powers which the General Assembly,
by virtue of the Constitution and ali
acts of Assembly, can confer on such
committee for accomplishment of its
purposes; and
BE it further resolved, That the
said joint committee shall be author
lied to employ auditors, accountants,
counsel learned in the law, stenog-
raphers, clerks, messengers, investiga-
tors and all such other clerical or
skilled assistance as may be necessary
for the proper discharge of the duties
hereby imposed upon said committee
and to further the inquiry by them to
be made. The sergeant-at-arms of the
Senate is hereby directed to attend
said joint committee, to serve all sub
penas issued by it, and generally to
enforce all the orders which said Joint
committee is hereby authorized to
make; and
BE it further resolved, That said