The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1947-01-09
Mississippi Entitled To Have Constitutional Rights
Recognized In Bibo Seating, Says Easfland

Senator James o. Eastland, Miss
junior Senator, in debate
On the Senate floor Saturday over
the seating of Senator-elect Theo-
iore G. Bilbo, the states senior SEN
ator, said he believed Bilbo and the
state of Mississippi were entitled to
have an investigation and trial OF
and Bilbo case before any decision
was made on whether he should be
seated.
Senator Eastland and Senator
Bilbo have been personal and poll
teal enemies for some time.
Senator Bilbo is entitled to JUS
tice and the state of Mississippi is
entitled to have its constitutional
rights recognized by the Senate OF
the United States" Eastland said.
Eastland opened his remarks by
saying he thought everyone in the
Senate knows of the personal relat-
ionship between Senator Bilbo and
myself"
Entitled to Justice"
Regardless of that relationship"
he declared, "he is entitled to JUS
tice and the state of Mississippi Is
entitled to have its constitutional
rights recognized by the Senate of
the United States. Senator Bilbo
was fairly elected to the Senate. He
was elected in an election in which
there was no fraud and no coercion.
Two committees of the Senate have
investigated him. One of those COM
mittees has jurisdiction of the sub
ject matter and the power to make
definite recommendations to the
| Senate. The report of that committee
exonerated him of wrong-doing, in
that it held that the statements
made in the campaign did not de-
prive citizens of their constitutional
right to vote. The other COMMITTEES
is the special committee investigat-
ing the national defense program.
1T has been charged that he has
personally profited from dealings
with contractors. These charges, il
true, are a reflection not only upon
him, but a reflection upon the State
of Mississippi and her people.
"He is entitled and. the state i
entitled to have an investigation
and a trial made by a COMMITTEES
properly constituted, in this Senate
with full supervision Of the subject
matter and with the power and the
duty to make definite recommend,
ations to this body.
"The committee investigating the
national defense program had NJ
such authority, and in addition, that
committee did not attempt in it,
report to make definite recommend,
ations to this body. That it is a RICH,
to which every man who presents
himself to the bar of the Senate il
entitled. 1t is a right to which the
State of Mississippi is entitled. Cred
entails in proper order -. And SEN
ator Bilbo's credentials are in prop
er order.
"The constitution provides that
the state of Mississippi is entitled
to two Senators on the floor of the
Senate to represent the State at all
times. This proceeding will deprive
Mississippi of that right and it de-
prives n who has been elected Of
the right of trial by a proper comm
ittee with authority to make recon-
mendations to the Senate"
He Will Have Trial
mo matter what action is taken''
Con the right to withhold the oath
from Senator Bilbo) "the senator
will be given a complete trial on all
charges before the Rules Commit
ee," Senator Taft (R., Ohio broke
in to say. There is no disposition
not to give him a square deal"
Senator Taft said the narrow
question" is whether a man charged
with heinous crimes shall be sworn
in pending determination of the
question whether he shall be a Sem
ator."
Senator Eastland said he was not
contending that there should not
be a trial of Senator Bilbo, but that
it should be by the proper body.