The Tupelo journal., 1918-02-22

tceeding closely tracking the preced-
ents established in the impeachment
of Gov. Adelbert Ames in 1875,
which was likewise forestalled by a
resignation. A special committee
was named to formulate rules for the
court and report on Thursday. The
Senate then sent a committee to the
House to notify the House managers
of the impeachment proceeding that
the court was organized and ready to
proceed with the trial. Dr.. Butler
was on the floor of the Senate
throughout these proceedings.
In the meantime a lively wrangle
was in progress in the House owe the
resolution offered by Mr.. Howerton,
Of Lee, providing for the withdrawal
of the impeachment proceedings, on
the ground that a trial would be
useless, and cost the state from $780,
900 to 100000.
House in Hot Debate.
The House managers objected and
sent up another resolution demanding
a guarantee that DIR. Butler will make
reimbursement for goods, money,
wares, ETC., alleged to have been i'm
properly appropriated by him at the
hospital. The debate at times waXed
very bitter, many House members
feeling that a political trick was
about to be played, and they were de-
termined that if the Impeachment pro-
ceeding is dismissed that the respon-
sibility be placed ~squarely up to the
Senate. The Howerton resolution was
finally placed on the table subject to
call.
Governor Bilbo was an interested
spectator in the House, occupying a
seat by the side of the speaker. He
had his private secretary bring into
the House the records showing that
Butler had resigned and DR.. Mitchell
had been appointed an confirmed
both for the unexpired term and the
full four year term.
Committee Resolution.
The House managers committee
resolution is as follows:
Whereas, through the public press
and from other unofficial sources, we
are advised that R. M. Butler, super
intendent of the. State Insane Hos
pital, has rendered to the Governor
of the State of Mississippi his resigna-
ton; and
Whereas, from the same sources we
are advised that this resignation has
been accepted; and
Whereas, the House has been asked
TO instruct the managers of impeach-
ment heretofore appointed to discon-
tinue the prosecution of the impeach-
ment proceedings heretofore begun
against the said r. NJ. Butler, and
Whereas, the House is without any
official knowledge or information as
10 JjtS GIAC SLdbGS VA LiilS indLkCl d4id
Whereas, heretofore, to-wit, on the
9Th day of February, 1918, the Cover
nor of the State of Mississippi sent to
this House a written message wherein
he stated that eff I had no intentions
whatever of reappointing DR.. Butler
as superintendent Of the Mississippi
State Insane Hospital when his enc
mics brought accusations against him,
I certainly would be compelled in JUS
tice to him and his family to give him
the appointment, unless the charges
or allegations were fully sustained
by the impeachment proceedings in
the Senate or conviction in the
courts; and
Whereas, the Governor has not in
dicated to the House any abandon
ment of this purpose; and
Whereas, without solicitation on the
part of the House, the Governor saw
fit to communicate his views and in
tentions; and
Whereas, if the impeachment pro-
ceedings are. abandoned the allega-
tons brought against R. M. Butler
would not be fully sustained by i'm
parchment proceedings; and
Whereas, in view of that condition
the House is not advised as to what
the Governors attitude would be;
Now therefore be it resolved that
the Governor of the State of Missis-
sippi be, and he is hereby most re-
specially requested, provided he shall
see fit so to do, communicate with this
House by a written message advising
this House of the true status of af-
fairs particularly advising the House
as TO whether or not he has at this