Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-01-30
NEWS OF THE LEGISLA TUREI
PROBE MEASURE
HOTLY DEBATED
Salus, Sproul and Ware Dis
cuss 1t and Senate Refuses
to Postpone 1t


The Sproul resolution for probe
OF government in Pennsylvania was
passed on second reading in the SEN
ate last night after an attempt to
postpone had been voted down and a
DEBATE as bitter as any one could eX-
pect from the present factional row
Lad occurred. Governor Brum baugh
sent a letter setting forth that he
courted investigation, but suggested
tnat there should be some changes in
the form of the resolution, which
were not made,
When the Governors letter came in
IL was read and then Senator Salus
moved to postpone action. He made
speech which will take rank with
some of the vitriolic discourses heard
In the Senate chamber and was re-
pied to by Senator Sproul. Then
senator Ware essayed to champion the
Governor, devoting good part of his
remarks to roasting newspapers.
The vote on the motion to postpone
was 20 ayes and "a noes, several
Democrats voting with the negative
side. That the State administration
Sot twenty votes was a surprise to
many. Tie Brumbaugh forces held
a council of war in the afternoon and
decided to fight.
Governor Brumbaugh's letter was
as follows:
TO the Honorable the Senate of
the Commonwealth of Pennsyl-
Vania. Gentlemen:
My attention has been directed
to the joint resolution, known as
Number 1, Senate file, session of
1917, introduced by Senator
Sproui, in place, January 22, 1917
and now before your honorable
body for consideration.
L have no intention or desire
nj ss,
prerogatives and services of the
General Assembly or upon either
branch thereof. On the contrary,
l recognize these prerogatives and
respect them, but | assume that in
due time this joint resolution may
reach me for my official action,
and in order to save time and to
accomplish as speedily as possible
a proper investigation of any and
all activities and acts of the
Executive Department of the
state Government, / beg to in
Vite now your considerate atten-
ton to some matters which / sub
NIT are of consequence in ac-
complishing the good that any in
Vestigation should have at heart
l court and, invite the widest
and fullest investigation of my
Official acts and of those all as
sociated with me in public serv-
cation be so free, so fair, so i'm
partial and so thorough as to es-
tablish definitely the truth or un-
truth of any charges that may be
made.
Calls Sproul Measure Vague
The Constitution and the laws
contemplate full, free, fair in
vestigation if any be authorized
by the General Assembly. We un-
hesitatingly invite such investiga-
tion. The resolution referred to
is vague, indefinite and opens the
way to investigate endlessly all
State officers and all city, county,
borough and township officials,
together with such individuals as
the contemplated committee may
elect to fconsider or investigate
The resolution ought in simple
fairness to be so phrased as to
indicate in some definite manner
what departments and what
specific function should be investi-
gated. l beg further to submit
that such investigation should
follow only in cases where some
credible authority makes charges
or indicates that such investiga-
ton is necessary. This should be
clearly set forth. Nor does this
resolution hold any evidence to
the people of Pennsylvania that
this is other than factional con-
test from which no essential good
can flow to the people of this
Commonwealth.
Final report of this commits
sion should, in justice to all, be
made at this session of the AS
sembly, that proper action may
be taken by the Assembly and the
Executive to safeguard the gen.
eral welfare.
If in your wisdom you so desire
] shall at any time confer with
the president of your body, the
Speaker of the House, or any
committee you may designate to
consider what constitutes a fair,
a free, frank and an impartial
procedure.
Yours. very respectfully,
MARTIN G.. BRUMBAUGH.
How They Voted