Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-11-24
JURY INDICTMENT
EXPECTED, WALTON
REPORTS At COURT

OKLAHOMA CITY. Nov. 21.-(By
the Associated Press. )--J. c. Walton,
6eposed governor, appeared at the
Oklahoma City court house at noon
today and announced that he eX-
pected to be indicated by the county
garnd jury and intended to be ready
to submit to immediate arrest. He
said he did not know what the exc
pected indictment would charge.
County officials advised the form
er executive to return later in the
afternoon when the grand jury
makes it's report.
All information obtained by the
legislative committee which formed
the basis of his impeachment and
removal from office Monday was
turned over to the grand jury re-
. Gently.
Application of Walton for a re-
straining order to set aside the
verdict of a senate impeachment
court by which he was removed from
office, was dismissed today by Judge
John H. Cotteral in the United States
district court here. Walton an
nounced an appeal to the United
States supreme court.
Dismissal was upon motion of
George F. Short, state attorney gen.
eral.
AS in previous hearing at Lawton,
Oklahoma, the day before the former
governors Impeachment trial open
ed, Judge Cotteral ruled that his
court did not have jurisdictionsin the
case.
Costs of the court action were as
sessed against Talton.
The formal notice of appeal will be
filed late today.
In dismissing Walton's action,
Judge Cotteral said:
1.-THE ruling was made at the hear
ing recently in Lawton that the court
did not have jurisdiction. It is only
necessary to say now that the court
is of the same opinion. The motion
to dismiss the original bill of COM
plant and the supplemental bill will
be sustained.
Meanwhile, the state legislature
prepared to go ahead with plans for
a general cleanup" of the admins
tration and to consider at an early
date anti-Ku KluX Khan legislation,
for which the special session was
called by Walton.
The board of managers of the low
er house, which prosecuted Walton
at his trial, expected to file in the
house today a bill of impeachment
against Charles H. Ruth, supreme
court commissioner, and an intimate
friend of the deposed governor. He
will be charged, according to the
boards announcement, with traffick-
ing in acts of executive clemency.
In this connection, it was recalled
that one of the articles upon which
Walton was tried charged that he
abused his pardon and parole pow
ers in order to provide lucrative fees
for his friends and political support
ers.
Charges Against Others
A similar allegation will form the
basis for resolution to eXpel Repre-
sentative Guy H. Sigler, of Carter
county, which will be presented to
the house either late today or to-
morrow, the board announced. 1t
was added that he had been accused
of collecting large fees for numerous
acts of executive clemency which he
obtained through his official influ- |
ence
Charges Of corruption in office, in |
reference with the October special |
election and commercializing his in
fluence to procure clemency for con-
victed criminals against Representa-
tive Murray Gibbons, of d. Purcell,
former speaker of the house, will be
considered Friday at which time
date will be set fir Gibbons to defend
himself. The charges were filed yes
teNay with the house together, with
a resolution for Gibbons expulsion.
The senate, having completed it's
duty as a trial body, was expected to-
day to take up bill directed against
the Ku Klux Khan which was intro
duced by Senator Tom Anglin, of
Holdenville, president pro tenn. The
measure would prohibit the wearing
OF masks in Oklahoma, and would
compel all secret organizations to file
with local authorities complete lists
Of memberships. Drastic penalties
are provided.
Numerous other bills, most of
which are drafted along similar lines.
are pending in both houses.