The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1919-03-12
GOVERNOR TALKS
TO ASSEMBLY
Called for Joint Session Of House and
Senate on Thursday Last and Dis
cussed the Rathbun Case
DEAN BILL CAUSES oRAToRY

Instead of $4,000 for the Attorney
Generals Officeb the Appropra-
ton is Cut to $37,500
lDES MONIES, March 10-(Special
to the Review)-Upon the reconven-
ing of the Legislature after week S
recess matters Of interest and deep
concern were rushed in at rapid rate.
The first thrill came when message
was received from Governor Harding
asking that the two houses meet on
Thursday in joint session, as he had
an important message to present. Ev-
eryone knew that the matter to be dis
cussed was the pardon of Rathbun at
Ida Grove and this announcement was
of sufficient interest to fill the house
chamber to overfioWing. Not only
was the floor of the chamber packed,
but also the galleries. Hundreds were
turned away.
At the appointed time announcement
was made that the joint session was
ready to receive the governor. The
entrance of this official into the house
chamber was greeted with vigorous
applause. AS he arose to read his ex-
PLANTATION of his official conduct in re-
leasing the culprit who had confessed
to a heinOus crime the evidence Of his
recent illness was plainly in evidence
but his voice was clear and strong nd
upon the completion Of the reading
and his departure from the hall gen.
erous applause brought to his counte-
nance that familiar smile which has
ever been strong asset in winning
approval.
The governors forceful reference to
the part Attorney General Havner took
in getting Rathbun into the peniten-
tiary brought from that official Wig
orous rejoinder in the newspapers and
it may be said in all truth that from
this time forward the Harding faction
and the Havner following will create
division of sentiment among the
friends of either in both branches of
the legislature which will have large
influence in developing certain phases
of legislation.
For instance, the hour that the gov
ernor asked for the joint assembling
of the two houses had been agreed
upon as the time for the consideration
OF the Dean bill which had passed the
of $4,000 year for the biennial Pc
riod to be used by the attorney gen
eral in law enforcement throughout
the state by means of numerous state
agents. The governors call for a
joint session deferred the considera
tion of the Dean bill to the afternoon
session and with the governors vigor-
Gus reference to the attorney general
the uppermost topic of discussion it is
plain to be seen that the consideration
of the Dean bill was sure to produce
dazzling display of fireworks. Both
sides were ready for the fray and the
public knowing what was coming
made rush for the senate chamber
similar to that which had bombarded
the house in the forenoon OF the same
day.
1t oOk five hours of the most bril-
liant demonstration of argument and
oratory that ever graced the senate
chamber to get the decks cleared for
action. Numerous amendments were
offered as the discussion proceeded
and by the time vote on the passage
of the bill was reached it was in this
form: Instead of $4,000 the amount
stead of giving the state agents over
to the exclusive use and direction of
the attorney general it was decreed
! that no court expenses in any county
could be created without first getting
consent from Judge Of the district
court of the district in which the
county is located; all men employed
as state agents must give bonds in the
sum Of $4,000; all expenses Of state
agents must appear in the form Of
itemiZed bills and be audited and al
lowed by the executive council These
amendments took all the teeth out of
the measure and there is no likelihood
that the house will accept the amend
ed bill. In case neither house recedes
from it's previous action the old law
under which the attorney general and
his agents have been working the past
two years will remain in force That
law allows $685. 900 per year. However,
a motion has been filed in the senate
for reconsideration and the defeated
bill may be called up at any time.
The challenge made by the COVER
nor that in order to remove all sus-
picion of bribery and disbon in the
pardon of Rathbun full and thor
ough investigation be made by the gen.
eral assembly found endorsement
when the committee on judiciary pre-
sented to the house Friday the. fol-
lowing resolution:
Be i resolved by the house of rep.
resentatives Of the Thirty-eighth gen.
eral assembly, that the committee on
judiciary of the house be and is here
by authorized and directed to make a
full and thorough investigation of all
matters pertaining to the granting by
the governor Of pardon to Ernest
Rathbun, convicted of the crime of
rape in the district court of Ida coun-
ty, and for that purpose said commit
tee is authorized to employ such
counsel and !stenographic assistance
AS it may deem necessary, and to take
such steps as may be necessary to
procure the attendance of witnesses
and the production of books, papers,
documents and records and the prop
AZ.