Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-01-19
GOV. JOHNSON
IS AWAITING
CUSTER ACTS
Oklahoma Senate Is to
Consider Five I'm
parchment Charges
Against Executive

OKLAHOMA CITY. Jan. l9.-tR1-
Governor Henry s. Johnston today
awaited action Of the sttse senate
on five charges of impeachment
voted against him by the legislature
in a session that ran until the small
hours OF today ard elimaxed a hectic
week Of political battling.
Five additional charges brought
before the house members BY the in
vestigating committee, remained 70
Be acted upon Monday when the
house reconvenes at 1880 p. m.
Articles of impeachment voted are
based on the issuance OF deficiency
certificates to state departments
where no appropriations were made
By the last legislature, and upon the
alleged diversion and misappropra-
ton OF funds paid to Buck EldTidge,
special agent for the governor.
Eldridse Draws Fire
All Of the articles voted carry the
charge that the governor became,
was and is guilty Of wilful neglect
Of duty, malfeasance, incompetency,
corruption in office, and offenses
involving moral turpitude commit
ted by him while in office, contrary
TO the constitution and laws OF the
state OF Oklahoma
The question involving the employ
of Eldridge drew the bitterest fire
in debate. This article charged the
governor had given Eldridge "a po-
sition Of profit in payment Of and
compensation for personal and po-
litical debts and obligations" BY
naming him : special investigator,
and having him put on the payroll Of
the state bureau of Identification
and investigation.
j. VI. Barker, superintendent Of the
bureau, had testified before the COM
mittee that Elldridge had been
placed onthe bureaus payroll. but
that when he came for his first pay
check he Barker didn't know him.
He also testified Eldridge had done
no work for the department"
Governor Defends Act
Eldridge vas proprietor Of the yell
low Dog saloon, az Perry. the COVER
nor's home town. in territorial days.
Governor Johnston defended his
employment OF Eldridge. in a state
ment TO newspapermen when he OK
hIbited a copy of a contract stipu-
lating that Eldridgc would receive
his orders from the governor and
Charles W. Morley. former superin-
tendent Of the bureau Of investiga-
ton.
The first article Of impeachment
voted by the house involved the is
sCance Of a 1880 deficiency war
rant 20 pay salaries Of an assistant
attorney, Law clerk and stenographsr
for the banking department in the
fiscal year 19~21-l92s. The article
said no emergency existed.
The second article voted was
identical with the first, with the OK
ception Of dates.
Other Charges Filed
Unlawful issuance Of a deficiency
certificate to continue the state is
sues commission after refusal Of the
legislature 20 make an appropriation
for It, constituted the third charge.
The article covered the fiscal year
l9lT-2s. while the fourth article COW
cred the fiscal year l92S-29,
Charges placed before the house hy
the investigating committee but still
awaiting action, include the issuance
OF a pardon and restoration 81 citi-
Zenship TO r. u. Crossthwaite who.
while serving a life term in the pen
ltentiary for the murder Of an Ok
iahoma City school teacher. was pa
rolled b. J. c. Walton, former cover
nor
Another Of the articles deals with
the sllegedly unlawful expenditure
OF money pursuant TO a contract with
hiroy Fitzpatrick. employed as n
special attorney for the state bank.
ing department.
Charge Interference
inns contract, the charge said. cat
tempted to employ Fitzpatrick ~
represent Oklahoma as an a~ttornes
Tor the state banking board. for =
consideration Of $500 zip violation
or the state laws and rcnstitutior Y
Only one Of the articles reached
BACK to the attempted Impeachment
session Of the legislature last win
TER This charged ~unwarranted au-
tnorILation OF interference BY mill
INA with orderly conduct under claim
o. right OF members OF the lorisla-
lure q assembly p~eaceablv.r
Another article or impeachm,n.
charged unlawful and wrongful A..
tempts T. interfere with the funr-
uoning Of q committee on investigs-
ton OF legislature, judicial. ereen.
i've and other departments Of state
ahd intimidation Of witnesses and
prospective witnesses 10 NJ caIled
oy the committee. and was aimed
az alleged activities in connec,io1
with the present INVESTIGATE, --Lt,.