The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-28
DENY ALL GuILT.

The legislators denied in the peti- ton that they have been guilty of any offense against the laws of the state or the nation and disclaimed inten- ton to commit any breaches of the peace.
 The petition related that the house members dispersed when they as- sembbled ''in good faith" to deter mine whether impeachable offenses had been committed by any officers of the state subject to impeachment. The legislators set out that the ses- sion was called in the belief that many of the guarantees of the con- stitution of the state had been and are being abrogated by executive action and the liberties of the citizens destroyed and that numerous acts of the grossest corruption have been and are being committed"
 The house members are represented by C. E. Stuart, J. +. Sharpe, John H. Miley. R. M. singletary W. E. Disney and D. A. Richardson.
 Brigadier General Charles E. Me- Pherren of Durant, an attorney and state senator, appeared in court to- day in behalf of Adjutant General Markham.
 Tt is the duty, purpose and inten- ton of these plaintiffs and each of them as such members of the said house of representativ lives, peaceably
 
 session of the house: but plaintiffs are unable to do so because the de- fendant, (Adjutant General Mark ham) has threatened and still threat ems, by force and use of armed sol- diers under his command to continue forcibly to disperse any assembly of said house of representatives and prevent 1t from transacting any bus mess and these plaintiffs from at tending any session of said house and unless restrained by the honor of this honorable court he will do so.".
 Under the constitution and laws of the state of Oklahoma, the gover- nor and other elected officers are liable and subject to Impeachment; {; and under the constitution and laws of the state of Oklahoma 1t Is the duty of the house to present all im- peachments to the senate sitting as up, approve and present articles of impeachment and to prosecute the same before the senate sitting as a court of impeachment through 8 board of managers appointed by It."
 In q formal statement tonight ad . dressed to the people of Oklahoma, the house members detailed their at 1 tmpt to assemble and their action in taking the case to court
 We, as members of the legislature propose and promise to be governed by the laws of our country as our state" the statement said. We could not enter combat with the armed forces of this state and were forced to leave the capitol or have innocent blood shed. From that time until now, we have not been per- mitted to caucus or hold any ses- sions, and have been followed and | erfT rdn dnd a of men and by military officsrs under ! the direction of Governor Walton.
 Think Duty To Assemble.
 "We have assembled because we believe that the charges of law viola | tfon and corruption against officers of this state should be investigated and if the charges are found to be true, that impeachment charges | should be filed.
 We attempted, as representatives to meet, imbued with the hope of clarifying conditions existing in the state, determine the truth or falsity of all charges against state officials, to the end that peace, harmony and tranquility might obtain again in this l free state.
 Tt is our purpose and will be our | purpose should the supreme court adjudge us the right to convene to approach the legislation as legisla- l tors in unbiased and unprejudiceu manner. and to fulfill the trust im- posed upon us when we were selected | by the sovereing voters of Oklahoma | to represent them in matters of this | character.
 Each member signing the call l feels he had done his full duty and having implicit confidence in the courts of our state. holds himself in readiness to reconvene in case the holding of the court justify"