The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-02-23
Klan Fight
Is Carried
toSenate
Seat of Earl B. Mayfield Chal.
lenged as Latest Chapter in
Texas Squabble-Op.
ponent Files Charges.
Claims Fraud in Count

Washington, Feb. 22.--(P)-Sweep.
ing charges against the Ku Klux Klan
and It's officers were made today in
papers filed with the senate challeng-
ing the right of Earle B. Mayfield TO
take his seat in the next congress as
4 senator from Texas.
The election contest and it's accom-,
pariying charges were fled by George
Il. B. Peddy, who ran for senator last
November in Texas as republican
and independent democrat and who
accused Mr.. Mayfield during a bitter
campaign with being the candidate
OF the klan as we'll as of the regular
democratic organization.
Fraud i'm Count Charged
Excessive and illegal expenditure of
money by the Mayfield forces, fraud
in counting the ballots and other
Irregularities were charged in the con.
test petition, which asked for a re-
count. It was contended that Mr..
Peddy was actually elected, but in
the event the senate does not SO de-
eide, it was asked in the petition that
Mr.. Mayfield nevertheless be barred
from taking his seat.
The ku Klux klan was charged in
the petition with concealing its real
designs under cloak OF patriotic
pretensions in order to hide plans &c
subject the government of the consti
~ t,x,. tz,1 ,74t
with conspiracy to evade, violate and
defeat federal and state laws. II was
further charged that the organization
had attempted prostitution of tho
Christian religion" and had resorted
10 use Of brute force intimidation
and Immoral and lawless practices"
Tndicts ku Klux kIan.
\ detailed Indictment of the klan
was made in the petition, which was
regarded as the opening gun in a
senatorial election contest OF unparal
led bitterness. In addition TO these
charges, Mr.. ,Peddy based his claim
10 the senatorship on an allegation
that 100000 votes counted for May
field were illegal and fraudulent. and
That several thousand" actually cast
for Peddy were not counted
Expenditure of $150000 in behalf OF
Mayfield in the Texas primary, in VIC.
lation of the state law limiting expen-
ditures TO $4,000 was charged in the
petition, which declared also that May.
fields name was Illegally placed on
the printed ballot and Peddy's name
Illegally denied a place. SO that It had
to be written In by voters.
The printing of Mayfield's name
was made Illegal, it was contended. by
the alleged illegal expenditures and
he alleged Conspiracy" with the Ku
Klux Klan.
Assisted by Officials
.Mayfield's election was sought by
the Ku Klux Klan. the petition con
tinued, to foster it's purpose of Sc,
curing political and commercial do
minion. II was declared the alleged
conspiracy was assisted by various
state and county officials" OF Texas.
The personal qualifications of May
field also were challenged because o'
alleged violation of the corrupt prac
Ices act and "his alleged membership
in an approval of the Ku Klux klau
and its activities.
"a recount Of the votes is prayed
the petition said, 'it being alleged
that II only such votes as Mayneld
received were counted for him. and
II all legal votes which Peddy received
were co1Intad for him pedds- recpiyal
a ma jority Of the legal votes.
'He tMayfieldD was not fayly O.
tTurn to Page Two. Column Three.)