The Lexington progress. (Lexington, Tenn.) 1884-current, 1921-05-20
LEXINGTON, TENNESSEE, FRIDAY, MAY 70, 1921
CLABO'S EXPULSION
FROM SENATE URGED

Nashville, Tenn, May 14th.-The
Senate committee, composed of Sen
ators Bond, Graham, Craig and Dur
ham, Democrats, and Senator w. S
Tucker, Republican, which has been
investigating for some weeks rumors
and charges of bribery and corrup-
tion during the recent session of the
Legislature, this afternoon submitted
its report, which was unanimous, to
Governor Alf Taylor. It's conclusion
and recommendations were.
That Senator E. N. Clebo, Sewer
vile deliberately, corruptly and
eagerly agreed to and did accept $500
in lawful money of the United States
as a consideration of his vote and in
fluence to defeat the passage of a
certain bill known as the sales tax
bill"
That" he was not induced to do so
by being under the influence of Ii
qu5r, all Of the proof showing that he
had agreed to accept bribe several
hours before receiving the same, and
that neither at the time Of agreeing
to receive it nor at the time of actual
ly receiving it he was intoxicated or
under the influence of liquor"
That "having reached these conclu-
sions we believe he should not remain
member of the Senate, but mas
much as the session has adjourned
and It would be expensive to call an
extra session we do not believe it wise
to do So" In case of an emergency
for an extra session should arise,
however, the recommendation is
made that the matter of Senator Cla-
bo's expulsion be included in 1T.
That Robert L. Garden, state in
surance commissioner and former
Judge d. B. Puryear, of Memphis,
assumed to act without authority
and used improper methods in deal
ing with Senate Bill No. 1926" This
bill affected certain insurance COM
panies. They are alleged to have ad-
ded a section to the bill after it had
passed the Senate.
That as to Senator Kemper and
Representative Rawls of Robertson
County, who are alleged to have re-
ceived bribes 1--WE recommend that the
evidence dealing with the matter be
delivered to the proper criminal au-
| thorities Of Davidson County for in
vestigation and such action as the
proof may warrant" In case an ex-
ira session of the Legislature is call
ed the Recommendation is made that
the Kemper and Rawls cases be in
cluded in the call.
"No person testified directly that
either the 500 of the $50 or any part
of same was paid to Senator Kemper
and Representative Rawls," said the
report, but there are many facts
and circumstances in the record
which strongly indicate this was done.
The only denial of this was the testi-
mony of Walter Rawles and his
brother Tom Rawls which was so in
consistent, weak and unreliable as
that the committee feels justified in
wholly disregarding it. Notwith-
standing the said facts and cireum-
stances indicated that these parties
received the fund neither of them tes-
titled before the committee or denied
under oath that the fund had been
paid to them"
The committee also called attention
to the peculiar and unusual testi-
mony" of Insurance Commissioner
Garden with regard to approaching
Representative Russell of Knox Coun
ty upon the 8 per cent interest bill.
After the report of the committee
had been submitted 20 him in person
Gov. Taylor declared that he would
not make a formal statement until
after he had carefully studied the re-
port.
He said, however that he would not
call an extra session of the Legisla-
ture now to act upon it, as he deem
ed it unnecessary at the present time.
The report will be turned over to the
Attorney General of Davidson county
to be used in the prosecution of per-
sons whom the later might deem
guilty of violating the law, the gov
ernor said