The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-09-17
Threaten TO Inlpeach

Threaten TO lHpeach
A majority of the members of the
lower house were claimed to be in
the Capitol by foes of the Governor.
Several legislators interviewed de-
clared the threat Of Jail would not
keep them from meeting and they
were urging the session start at once
to impeach Walton.
Governor Walton, his supporters
said, would use every guardsman in
the State If necessary to prevent the
meeting.
Militiamen stood with bayonets un-
sheathed at the doors leading to the
House and Senate chambers. Others
patrolled the gapund outside the build
ing.
Petition for the special session of
the Legislature 1t was charged. was
checked by state employees at the in
stigation of Walton and a grand jury
session was called to investigate
these accusations.
An order directing the grand jury to
refrain from meeting was served on
Judge Clark Of the district court It
y
was signed by Col w. S. Key. COM
nandant OF Oklahoma County, ap-
pointed by the Governor.
State Submits Quietly
Oklahoma submitted quietly today
TO the reign of martial law. The cap
itol city where legislators and Klan
officials have gathered to watch de
vllopments was completely miutarized.
Capt. Nelson Moore of Tulsa, had
replaced Police Chief Ray Frazier. AS
sistant Police Chief S. Nelson was re-
moved and all policemen made answer
able to the military.
T. National guardsmen took over con-
troll of the police station. city hall and
county courthouse. Machine guns
mounted on adjoining buildings were
trained on the entrances and troops
patrolled the yards in front of the
city and county buildings.
As for the Ku-Klux Klan, target
for the Governors military campaign
= rid the State of Iawlessness, it sub
mitted also. without protest. A few
fiery crosses burned in downtown
streets. but that was all.
Accusations had been made to the
effect the Governor misused public
funds when he had State employees
check petitions which were made the
excuse for the summoning Of a spe-
cial session If the Legislature. This
session, called to impeach Governor
Walton, will not meet at once.
Jail If You Do"
It's Jail if you do" Governor Wal
ton told the Legislators. who conse-
quently made on move.
Martial law IN tho State capitol was
enforced during the night. Those
who ventured to the streets during
the hours between midnight and
a. m. were 'frisked by National Guards
men and escorted home at the bayonet
point
At dawn street patrols relaxed and
ttoops were marched to other posts,
put on guard duty or relieved by
other guardsmen.
Troops had not been ordered to
Muskogee. one Of the alleged centers
of mob rule and fioggings, up to an
early hour today. Oklahoma City and
Tulsa are the only cities to feel the
grip of the mailed fist
Klan Quarters Deserted
Headquarters of the Oklahoma
City chapter of the Klan was deserted.
Klansmen close to Grand Dragon
Jewell. said. however, a statement
probably would be issued during the
day.
Censorship Of the press was re-
voBed, although publication Of articles
tending to incite riot or violence or OBJ
struct the work Of the military au-
thorities, was banned.
Gun carrying by civilians and sale
of firearms was prohibited in the first
general orders issued from military
headquarters.
A few fist fights anlivened an other
wise quiet occupation by the military.
Campbell Russell. former chairman
of the State corporation commission,
was struck down in the lobby OF
hotel by Leo Clark, Walton
supporter. Russell had been distrib-
uting phamplets criticising the Gov
ernor. Both men were arrested, but
la ter released. Russell filed charges of
assault against Clark.