Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-10-09
WALTON HIMSELF
AIVN0UNCES CALL
To LEGISLATURE
Governor Asks for Measure
Against Mask : Military
Rule to Be Lifted Soon, 1t
Is Indicated

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla, Oct. T.
(By the Associated Press.)-A call for
an extraordinary session O. the state
legislature on October IL "for the
purpose of the enactment of a law
to protect the people from masked
and lawless marauders and secret
organizations" was issued tonight
by Governor j. C. Walton.
Simultaneously a statement was
made public by Aldrich Blake. exec
ut.ve counsellor, declaring that the
governor is "ready" and that he is
"eager to meet tn: legislature
The governors action was accept
ed as challenge for finish figh.
with members of the legislature who
have sought his impeachment, and
his advisers made no effort to hide
the fact that they were preparing
for the attack.
The governors call preceded by
less than a week a session summon.
ed by majority of the members OF
the lower house for October II. al
which a general investigation OF inn.
peachable state officers would be
made.
End of Martial Law
The call indicated that evidences
adduced by military courts Of in
quity throughout the state would be
placed before the legislature to sup.
port the executives demand for anti
Ku E<lux KllE legislation.
Counsellor Blake declared that
"the call indicates that martial law
will be lifted soon" He declared he
would indicate no details of any pro,
gram that might look to that end.
Martial law throughout the state
was declared three weeks ago to
night.
Blake's statement follows:
THE governor is ready. At last
the record of the military courts is
complete. He had at no time ex-
ceeded his constitutional powers. He
is not only willing but eager TO
meet the legislature.
HE awaits the verdict with COM
placency, satisfied that he has
done no wrong and confident that
within the next so days the ku
Klux Khan would be destroyed"
Governor Walton, in statement
to the Associated Press, declared
that he wanted to make it plain
that no effort will be made to him
der in any way any attempt by the
members of the house." to impeach
him.
at has been said in some quar-
ters that ] would try to prevent
impeachment action against law
the executive said. Il want to-
deny that emphatically. I am ready
to defend my every act, and
court the investigation of my of.
flee. [ have nothing to fear and
the only fight will make will be
to see that the truth is told"
The Proclamation
Governor Walton's proclamation
calling the special legislative ses-
sion:
Whereas. a condition Of lawless4
ness had heretofore for some time
prevailed in several counties in tho
state of Oklahoma. under which
numerous mobs have kidnapped,
beaten, mutilated and, in some in.
stances raped and murdered citizer4
of Oklahoma, and
Whereas, by virtue of the, au4
thority vested in me as governor
of the state of Oklahoma and fol
the protection of the people of Ok
lahoma and the enforcement of law
and the restoration of order and
the detection of the perpetrators OF
these crimes, / have heretofore de-.
clared martial law in the state OF
Oklahoma and through that agency
have protected the people, restored
order and investigated hundreds of
these mob Whippings and murders.
and,
Whereas, the sworn evidence az
to the existence of this system OF
lawlessness and the identity of the
organization responsible for this
system of operation the membership
of which is secret has been secured
by duly authorized military COM
missions and is now available for
the use of proper authorities, both
legislative and judicial. and,
Whereas. it is imperative that
legislation be Immediately enacted
which will unmask the organization
responsible for the preparation of
these crimes of violence and prevent
their recurrence.
Nov. therefore. 7, J. C. Walton,
governor of the state of Oklahoma.
pursuant to the power vested in ME
by the constitution of the state OF
do hereby convokS the
legislature of the said state in ex-
traordinary session. at the state cap
ltol az Oklahoma City at o'clock,
October II. A. D., 1923.
for the purpose of the enactment OF
a law to protect the people from
masked and lawless marauders and
mobs and secret organizations"
M'BEE SAYS HE CAN
FORESEE WALTON'S END
DUNCAN. okla, Oct 7.-Predict-
ing that he could write on a slip of
paper the time when Walton will
cease to be governor" w. d. McBee.
member of the Oklahoma house and
leader in the fight of legislators on
Governor j G. Walton, declared
here this afternoon, the governors
days are numbered"
McBee,r at home for a few DAYS
rest, will return to Oklahoma City
Sunday evening, he said:
Governor Walton's days are num-
oered. | can write on a slip of pa
per the time when Walton will cease