Senate Committee on H. Bascom Thomas Expulsion, Committee of the Whole Senate - 31st R.S. (1909)
Committee Members
Charges
- Investigate charges of violations of the Anti-Lobbying Statute by the Senate and decide whether or not Senator H. Bascom Thomas has forfeited his right to membership in the Senate.*
* This represents an abstract of the report contents. Charge text is incomplete or unavailable.
Notes
On 2/8/1909 Senator Thomas rose to a point of personal privilege stating that the anti-lobby statute was not being enforced and that he had been "embarrassed, intimidated, and, in a sense, molested." Following speech of personal privilege, Senator Meachum moved that the roll be called and each Senator respond if he had also been intimidated. After this roll call, Lieutenant Governor appointed committee to investigate charges pursuant to SR by Thomas.
On 2/9/1909, Senator Thomas offered a petition to be read and entered into the Journal. Senator Meachum rose to a question of personal privilege, with the result that Meachum withdrew from the committee appointed to investigate matters. Lieutenant Governor accepted withdrawal and appointed Senator Greer. Pursuant to SR by Brachfield, Senate would now form into a Committee of the Whole to investigate charges and consider the expulsion of Senator Thomas, if charges were not valid. SR by Brachfield further stated that committee named by Lieutenant Governor pursuant to the 2/8/1909 SR by Thomas would be empowered to conduct the examination.
On 2/10/1909 Committee of Whole met and adopted motion to report back to Senate on 2/11/1909 their recommendation that retraction by Senator Thomas of allegations be accepted and that investigation be closed.
On 2/17/1909 Report of Committee of Whole adopted by Senate. Subsequent to adoption of report, SR by Brachfield requested Committee of Whole (i.e. the executive committee empowered to conduct the examination) report back to Senate what "proceedings shall be adopted as to the further investigation of the charges" made by Senator Thomas.
On 2/18/1909 Report of Committee of Whole (i.e. the executive committee empowered to conduct the examination) recommended further investigation of charges. Senator Veale resigned from Committee and Lieutenant Governor appointed Senator Brachfield to replace Veale.
On 3/9/1909 Report of Committee of Whole (i.e. the executive committee empowered to conduct the examination) issued another report outlining investigation and report was adopted.
On 3/12/1909 SR by Brachfield (member of executive committee empowered to conduct examination) called for expulsion of Senator Thomas. Proceedings conducted 3/13/1909 with vote to expel Senator Thomas by vote of 21 to 8. Consequently, Lieutenant Governor declared seat vacant and instructed Secretary of Senate to so notify Governor.
During 31st Legislature, 1st C.S., Senator Senter offered a speech of personal privilege detailing his actions surrounding the investigation and expulsion of Senator Thomas during the 31st Legislature, R.S. Senator Thomas was re-elected to the Senate and oath of office was administered by Lieutenant Governor on 4/10/1909.
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