Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1921-10-07
nEM8ERRY CONTEST.

! Il tb.t--\i " Derry comics ~ over
the 1919 Senatorial c!icciion> III
Michigan WaS submitted for dcCis-
ion last week 10 the Senate in ma
jority and minority reports from the
Privilege and Elections Committee.
Which heard the contest
The majority report abSUlvcd
Senator \cwbcrry from charges of
having violated the Corrupt rrac-
hceS act through undue cNpcndi-
lures IN The campaign. while The
minority report insisted that the en-
pcndlturcS could not have been
made without his knolwcdgc. /, re-
mains for the Senate 10 vote ON the
! question OF whether Senator New
berry Mil be seated, with the pras-
peel tina: several weeks will elapsc
before The final decision.
Recommendations Of the majority
report were:
/. That the contest Of Henry
FORD against Truman II. NcwDcrry
be. and ii is hereby. dismissed.
:. That Truman II. Ncwhrrrv
/ IS hereby declared 10 BIZ a duly Gle, |
ell Senator from the State of NIichi-
gan Tor the term OF six wears COM
mcnt!nS on the fourth dav of March
1919.
;. That his qualification for =
seat in The Senate Of the United
3'a'eS /" which he has been elected
mas been concluSivcly established
and the charges made against him
III this proceeding. both a, to his
election and qualifications. are moi
sustained.
conclusions Of the minority, pre-.
Sentcd by Senator pomcrcne, Demo-
crat, Of Ohio. and signed bv Scna-
tor King, of Utah, and .ishurs,, Ari-
iona. were:
frst--That the irregularities
complained OF do moi relate to the
general election, but TO the primary.
henry Ford did not receive q Dlu-
rally of the votes cast at the ycncr-
al election. We therefore find that
the petitioner, Henry Ford, was not
elected and is not entitled TO = scat
III inc Senate of the United States.
Sccond--We find that under the
facts and circumstances Of this case
corrupt and illegal methods and
practices were employed at the Dri-
mary election and that Truman II.
Newbcrry violated the Corrupt prac
ice act and the Primary act of the
State Of Michigan, and that by rc,s-
on thereof he ought not to have or
noiu seat iii the Senate of the
united States, and that he is moi
the duly elected Senator from tho
State of Michigan for the term of
SIX years, commencing Oh The 18th
day of March, 1919, and we RECON-
mend, therefore. that his seat hc fir-
clared Vacant"
A separate minority report also
was submitted by Senator Ashurst,
who declared Senator Newbcrry's
credentials were STAINED by fraud
and tainted by illegal expenditures
OF money" The testimony showed
he said, that the 1913 Michigan cam
pa'Sn 'partook of the character OF
an auction than an election"
ol only two major issues were
inc Republicans and Democrats i'm
harmony in the reports. They agreed
maj Henry Ford, The Democratic
contestant, had moi been elected And
Was moi entitled to the sea, from,
Mlchlean. They also agreed that
100 much money had been spent in
inc Michigan primary. The Demo-
cratS: however, contcnded that Sen
a'or Ncwberry Was responsible Der
Sohally FOR the expenditures. while
the Rcpubilcans held he was moi.
Inc above is a short statement of
tnc election contest of the Senate
nohinlttcc OF Privileges and Elrc-
: .1ohS. II shows that Ford not hav-
ing received sufficient number of
votcs is not entitled to the seat. Il
Iurther shows that while %cwbcrr,,
received the necessary votes yc,
me law was violated in the exp.n-
n'!"rc OF money. The majority and
minority reports speak for them
serves. rms case was fought thru
inc courts and Newbcrry was clear.
eu OF any guilt through technical
'ieS: II IS III evidence that he and
ms friends spent enough money in
the election to pay his salary ne
senator for the period of Is vc,rs,
ne question stands out who is ibc
'ooSer? Some one or more Than
one IS out 10 times the salary of :,
tnitcd States Senator for one Year
or Tie sum of $1I2.5OO.O0. .Thi,
expenditure Of money is contrary
10 la" and no one is guilty.
DO we think what influence an OK
ample Of This kind has on crime in
this country? We need laws i'm this
country fixing the amount that may
be expended in any election by any
individual or his friends, and when
That amout is exceeded, thai racl
alone to prohibit from holding The
Office. England has such laws.