The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-04-04
RESOLUTION.
ON. DEATH OF
TABERT READ
First Fireworks Resulting
From Death of North Da-
kota Boy Opened
ONLY THREE DISSENT
Resolution Asking Action in
Case Goes to Legislative
Committee

Tallahassee, Fla, April 5.-Thc
first fireworks of the 1928 lcgisla-
turc broke out on the floor Of the
house today over the death of Mar
tin Tabcrt of Munich, North Dakota,
Il convict under private lease early
in a921
The house voted with three dis
scnting to refer a resolution on the
subject from the legislature of North
Dakota to a committee of five to de-
termine whether the house should in
Stitute an investigation and report
back tomorrow.
Goes To Senate
The North Dakota resolution was
later presented to the senate which
voted to defer action until the
house had acted.
Governor Hardce in his biennial
message recommended abolishment
Of the county convict lease system,
digressed to mention the Tabert
case as one of "the unfavorable"
things growing out of 1T.
The North Dakota legislatures
resolution calling for full investi-
cation of Tabert's death as result
of alleged brutality in private
convict camp was presented to the
house before it went into joint ses-
sion with the senate to hear the
Governors message. Rep. Davis of
Leon Immediately moved for ap-
pointment of IA committee. Amos
Lewis of Jackson vigorously opposed
it, saying that it as u judicial mat
ter and not question for the leg
islature. Flights of oratory follow
ed, with Ben d. Willard of Dadc
county supporting Lewis.
Would Abolish System
j. Ed. Stokes Of Day, who has
measure ready for introduction
abolishing the lease system second
ed Davis motion, saying that he
agreed with Mr.. Lewis that it was
unfortunate that the subject had
come to the legislature, but that the
buck" had been passed and would
no be side-tracked.
The argument continued several
members taking the floor and as
sefting they knew the details Of Ia
bcrt's death and that when they be-
came fully known they would shock
the state from one end to the other.
l.. f. Wade Of Clay county said
that it may have been matter for
mite, - fsrck h,,k Suhnn fho
courts and jurics failed to function
il becomes the duty of the "court
OF the people, the legislature, to take
matters in hand.'
Forest Lake of Seminole county
pointe' out that the sheriff of Leon.
county was charged with having
failed to free Tabcrt after money
had been sent to pay his fine and
this certainly made it subject mat
ter for the legislature.
Mr.. Davis expressed surprise that
there should be such reluctance on
the part of some members to make
an investigation of this kind when
they had voted at the last session
for an investigation Of former Gov
ernor Sidney Cats.
The North Dakota legislature
passed resolution declaring that
evidence presented on the cause of
death of Martin Tabert was suffi-
cicnt to convince them that he had
been slain without cause in con-
vict camp, and asking Florida to
make thorough Investigation and
opposing the system of leasing con-
victs.
Governor Hardee of Florida in a
letter to Governor Nestos had pro-
tested against the action as bringing
unfavorable publicity on Florida and
declaring that no state treated con-
victs more humanely than Florida.
TO USE CONTINGENCY FUND.
Tallahassee, Fla, April 5.-Gover-
nor Cary Hardee will make available
from tho cfafa COnt uoncu fund IN