New Britain herald., 1927-12-14
OKLA. GOVERNOR
 PERMITS MEETING
Order Troops to Allow Senate
 to Convene

Okla ahoma City, Dec. II LTl-Gov- crnor Henry s. Johnston today or dered national guardsmcn. assigned to the capitol 10 prevent sessions of the self-convened legislature, to per init the senate 10 meet in it's cham Der to consider impeachment charges against himself and two other state officials.
 With military barriers removed, senate leaders announced today they would meet at the capitol shortly after noon today to receive the bills of Impeachment voted by the house in q secret session yesterday. It was understood that preliminary scs- sion would be called in a hotel
 Senator Mac Q. Williamson. prcsi- dent pro t"mpOr". said that 22 Sena- tors. one more than q quorum, were here. He indicated the senate plan ned 10 consider charges against the governor before discussing indict- mcnts naming Chief Justice Fred Branson of the senate supreme court and Harry B, Cordcll, president of the state board of agriculture.
 Tho indictment against the gover- nor specified six charges. including alleged inCompctency and alleged it. legal use Of state funds. Judge Bran son was charged with corruption in office, while three counts were pre- tcrred against Mir. Cordell, charging i1ltpDl ,N-nIn1ithrnS, of ct, j- and irregularities in payrolls.
 In announcing he would permit the senate to assemble, Governor Johnston declared he did not retreat from his contention that the sena- tors had no authority to sit as q refusal to call the session. He also called attention to the state supreme court decision holding the legislature hal no inherent right to convene as leaders of the house and senate con- lend.
 Governor Johnston said that so far as he knew the senators had not engaged in any unlawful acts and that they were aware of litigation pending 10 test the validity Of vari- ous questions growing out of the impeachment proceedings.
 In addition to the supreme court ruling. q temporary injunction was issued by the district court forbil- ding a special session. The senate however, has decided its rulings take precedence over any state courts.
 There is nothing for the people Of this state or the country 10 be alarmed about statement by the governor said. "A few wilful men supported by notoriously corrupt in the government and substitute their will for the will of the people and the law Of the land. While I am governor, they will not be permit ted to do so."
 The governor concluded his state mcnt by pointing out that only A of the 105 members of the house had voted to sustain charges against any state officer.
 Under peachment procedure, it the governor is removed the lieu tenant governor would be declared governor by the senate. Legislators pointed out that the adjutant gen. oral would be called upon to make q decision as to which was the lc- gal governor. if both the governor l claim authority.
 Non-attendancc of an accused of flcal from his trial before q legally convened senate court of impeach- mcnt would be grounds for default verdict of guilt, attorneys said. Gov ernor J. C. Walton attended i'm peachment proceedings four years ago when he was busted on charges brought by the house.