Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-04-16
CRAFT IS CHARGED
To GOVERNOR Cats
IN PROBE MEASURE
Bill Passed by Senate and
House Alleges He Sold
Pardons to State Con-
ViCtS

TALLAHASSEE, Fla, April 10
A concurrent resolution ordering G
legislative investigation Of "persis-
tent rumors being circulated through
out Florida, which appeared to be
based upon some degree of fact
that Sidney J. Cats, while gov
ernor, had accepted money to influ-
ence his official action in various
matters was adopted today by the
state senate almost unanimously anC
certified Immediately to the house
The four years term of Governor
Cats expired January last.
The rumors which a joint senate
and house committee would inquire
into, as stated in the resolution, fol
low:
THAT Sidney J. Cats, while gov
ernor of the state of Florida, re-
ceived money to influence his Off
cial action in granting pardons to
state convicts."
That he received moneys to influ-
ence the official actions in removing
parties from county or official posi-
tions.'
That che received money to influ-
ence his official actions in appoint
ing persons to office" and
That Sidney J. Cats, while he
was governor, was guilty of many
other acts in violation of the law
and tending to bring shame upon
the fair name Of the state of Flor
ida"
The object Of the investigation,
the resolution declared, would be
to ascertain whether the rumors
were true or false and that eff such
rumors prove to be without founda-
ton in fact that the said ex-Gov-
ernor Sidney j. Cats be exonerated
by the legislature" Should the ru-
mors be found to be true, the reso-
luton directs that the former gov
ernor be prosecuted. The investi-
eating committee would consist of
two. senator's and three representa-
tives.
The former governor. who was at
his home in DeFuniak Springs today,
refused to comment on the senate's
action.
Mr.. Cats, minister. formerly of
Alabama, who had been in Florida
just.follrA days-longer4 than the period
necessary to qualify as a candidate
for a state office, entered the Demo-
cratic primary in 1915 as one of four
candidates for the gubernatorial nom
ination. Under the first and second
choice voting system in vogue in this
state, he apparently was the victor
and was given the certificate of nom
ination by the Democratic state COM
mittee.
W. V. Knott, the runner-up, con-
tested the nomination and after a
recount in several counties and an
appeal to the courts; the state SUI
preme court held that Knott instead
of Cats was the nominee and award
ed Mr.. Knott the certificate. Mean
time the prohibitionists nominated
Mr.; Cats and his name went on the
ballot in the general election as the
gubernatoriM candidate of that party.
The Knott-Catts controversy had
caused great bitterness within the
ranks of the Democratic party, many
holding that Cats was the rightful
nominee, and in the general election
thousands of them supported him.
He defeated Knott by majority of
more than 1000 votes.
Throughout his term of four years
Governor Cats was the center of nu-
merous controversies and the period,
according to state officials, was re-
markable for the number of county
and other officials removed from Of
flee. Governor Hardee transmitted
to the legislature last week a list of
nineteen important county and state
officials who had been removed by
Governor Cats and it is said COM
plete list would include the names of
nearly 100 Another report by Cover
nor Hardee rendered this week show
ed pardons had been granted to 451
convicts during the last two years
Of this number 1876 were convicted
for murder. and 140 of them had been
sentenced to life Imprisonment.
The Florida pardon board, which
handles all petitions for clemency, is
composed of the governor and his
cabinet, with the governor acting as
chairman.