The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1935-01-18
ENEMIES
UNSEAT EXECUTIVE
BY 60 TO 81 VOTE
Action Taken After Bitter De.
bate; Charges Presented
Are Not Specific
APPEAL TO PEOPLE SEEN
Governor Expected to Make
Statement Covering His
Side Of Controversy

By a vote of 60 to 81 the
Nonpartisan controlled state
house of representatives late
Friday voted to file charges Of
impeachment against Governor
Thomas H. Noodle, who has
been in office only IL days.
Action was taken after one
of the bitterest debates in the
state legislature, min o rity
members branding the action
one of the rankest political
frauds ever perpetrated under
a Democratic form of govern
ment.
Whether Noodle would leave
office at once, under the con-
stitution, or will remain until
the charges have been present
ed by the house to the state
senate, which will sit as q trial
body, had not been determined.
1t is expected to be worked out
in conferences between rep
resentatives of Noodle and his
opponents.
The senate had adjourned
until Monday before tho house
acted and it will be impossible
to present the charges to that
body before that time.
Senate Acts Az Court
Under the constitution, I'm
peachment charges, { comper-
able to an Indictment in q court
of law, are tried in the senate.
A vote Of two-thirds of that
body is necessary to sustain the
accusations and permanently
remove an official from office
Observers considered it i'm.
probable that the Nonpartisans
opposed to Noodle would b
able to muster enough votes to
convict after q hearing.
Some observers also saw the
possibility that tn 9 senate
might summarily refuse to
consider the impeachment on
the ground that the charges
made are not those covered by
the statute covering impeach-
ment. On this basis, the mat
ter soon would be ended and
Noodle restored to the COVER
norship.
It was indicated shortly after
the vote was taken that Moo
die would appeal his case to the
people of the state in q radio
address to be given early Fri
day evening over KFYR and a
statewide hookup.
If this is done the governor
probably will be on the air at
about 6 p. m.
Under the impeachment resolution
. board Of managers" consisting Of
five members Of the house would b
appointed by the speaker to conduct
impeachment proceedings aud pre-
pare specifications Of impeachment
ana present the case to the senate
for trial.
Representative Matt Dahl Of EN-
mons county introduced the resolution
Of impeachment from the floor Of the
house, a few minutes after 2:30 p. m.
The Nonpartisan League majority,
consisting Of more than the 81 votes
needed to vote impeachment in the
house, is pledged to support impeach-
ment.
The resolution of impeachment
charges that Noodle us guilty Of I'M
peachable offerses."
Noodle IS charged with:
Grimes, corrupt conduct, malfea-
sance and misdemeanorS IN office"
Specific Charges Lacking
The specific allegations are not
enumerated In the resolution Of inn
parchment.
Rep. Ben Gilbertson jumped to his
feet as soon as the resolution was Of
fered to open q debate that prom
ised to be one Of the bitterest ever
heard in state legislative halls.
Gilbertson said the move to impeac
did not come IS . surprise"
II had expected 1t to come for sor
time" he added. II am opposed to It.
took IN oath Of office to do my duS.
and will not allow my name to 60
down In the records in support OF
this resolution"
Dahl rose to defend the resolution.
Dahl and w. J. Goodwin: majority
leader, cited section o302 Of the 1913
compiled laws Of North Dakota, deal
ing with 'usurping Of falsely aasnm-
ing office"
They indicated that this would -
one Of the specific charges againa1
Noodle.
Dahl claimed Noodle. who Thms.
lday asked the house for Additi0uA1
thine to produce proof q his y. 8.
lcitiseslship, had falled 70 meet tho
|house request. He declared Moods
has had two months Ia which 70 Oh
tain proof, adding .how uauch moro
ltlme does he want.
! lCcntlppef g 90 Tyol