Great Falls tribune., 1921-12-24

nature, which transpired at
prison commissioners with Colo
Colonel Nolan, appearing for Mrs
Conley, the former warden of the
prison whose stewardship has been at
tackled in the report of the prison in
vestigator, expressed violent opposition
to hearing before the committee as
recently enlarged by Governor Dixon
demanded the institution proceedings in
court, or else the hearing of the charges
by the board of prison commissioners
or by the original committee of three
named by Lieut.. Gov. Nelson Story in
the absence of Governor Dixon.
The Lie Passed
Personalities crept into the argument
between the two, the discussion at
times becoming extremely heated. SO
much in fact, that at one time the gov
ernor charged Colonel Nolan with stat
ing deliberate faisehood." Neither
Attorney General Rankin nor Secretary
of State G. Z. Stewart, who with Gov
ernor Dixon constitute the prison
board, took any hand in the discussion
which was conducted in the senate
chamber in the presence of three stem
ographers, a bunch of neWspapermeD
and several state officials.
Charges and counter charges were
hurled back and forth and these served
to bring out some very interesting facts
in relation to the proceedings of the
past few weeks.
Governor Dixon charged Colonel
Nolan with having had hand in the
matter of the appointment of the Story
committee and with the preparation of
the resolution of the prison board,
authorizing this committee TO conduct
an investigation. These charges Colonel
Nolan denied.
Nolan Renounces Committee
During the latter moments of the
discussion Governor Dixon said:
IN order to expedite this matter,
I am willing to leave this whole matter
to this committee of seven and will ac-
cept its findings as final; Wlll you:
II will not replied Colonel Nolan
There is an old saying. Beware of
Greeks bearing gifts We are both
suspicious of each other. | will not
have anything to do with a committee
that you suggest"
DO YOU refuse to appear before this
enlarged committee asked the goy-
ernor.
9 certainly do refuse was the re
ply. why didn't you make it COM
mittee of five?' :.
.'I'll make it committee of nine
suggested the governor. I'll add Nor
man Hotter and c. II. Mcleod. I'll
make it 10 and add Judge Pigott, or
I'll make it II and add Judge Bour-
ouin and I'll accept their findings as
final"
You are simply suggesting the I'M
possible" said Colonel Nolan. My
man would not appear and | would not
advise him to appear before q com
mittee that you would name.
"Why Not Court7' Asks Nolan
Bud Story told me your client
would accent even if you refused
'Yon know Judge Bourquin would
not act" said Nolan.
.Then I'll add the presidents of the
four educational institutions uf the
state"
"Why not go into ourt!' asked
Nolan.
Because by this method we will get
immediate results. We can settle this
in three weeks. If we 20 into court.
there will be interminable delays. III
20 YOU further than this. III add the
Judges of the Lewis and Clark district
court, Judges Horsky and pooeman, or
ri let YOU select any four of the Z en-
I have suggested.
II cant speak this morning. said
Colonel Nolan. "I'll have to take it up
With INV client. but if Conley takes my
advice he won't accept this PROPOSE
ton. He will stand on his legal rights
Could Let Rankin Act
Colonel Nolan then read section
from the statutes which, in matters in
yolving the property of the state, gives
the governor authority to direct the at
torney general to prosecute an action,
or authorizes him to employ special
counsel to handle the proceedings.
The board then adjourned until 10
a. M, Saturday. to permit Colonel No
Ian to consider and reply to the gov
ernor's proposal
In opening his statement to the pris-
on board, Colonel Nolan said his pur-
pose was to call for speedy action. that
he did not care where, but he preferred
that ii be taken in the courts of the
state. He then. at considerable length,
reviewed the history of the prison in
vestigation, during which he was fire.
quently interrupted by the governor IN
taking exception to or denying state
ments made by him. Coming to the ap-
pointment by the governor Of the four
additional members of the committee he
said he, did hot question the honesty
os these men, but insisted that in every
lConeinaed On Pase Eisven.l