The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-01-05
CARTER AND HIS CHARGES.
NAMES OF HIS WITNESSES GIVEN
TO THE SUBCOMMITTEE.


pOenas For the Witnesses-Drunk-
cnness Added to the Charge of
Scandal Against Judge Sweat-rhe
Names of the witnesses Given to
the Newspapers.
Atlanta, Ga, Jan. 4.-The subcommit-
tee appointed by the legislative investiga-
ton committee in the cases Of Judges
Reese and Sweat met to-day in the Office
of Chairman T. b. Fielder for the pur-
pose of receiving the specifications and
the lists of witnesses preparatory TO the
issuance of subpoenas to bring the wit
nesses before the regular committee at
its meeting on the 18th. The subcommit-
tee is composed of Messrs. Fielder, Slaton
and Hewlett Han of Coweta county. Mr.
Hail was not present.
Senator Carter. who preferred the
charges, was present at the meeting,
along with J. L. sibley, populist, secre-
tary of the state committee.
Judges Reese and Sweat were also both
present, Judge Hamilton McWhorter and
Col James Whitehead appearing with the
former and Congressman Branuey and
Mr. Mcdonald of Ware county with Judge
Sweat.
Senator Carter presented the names of
his witnesses. In doing so he asked that
the names of the witnesses be kept from
the public until after they have been
served with subpoenas. His idea was that
If the witnesses should be notified In adj
vance that they were going to be called
some would avoid service of the subpoe-
mas. The committee did not agree to this
at once, but took it under Amusement.
The specifications were also presented
in both the Reese and Sweat cases.
The eyes Of the state will be on the
investigation from now until it is con-
cluded. The committee is to meet in the
Senate chamber on the 18TH to hear the
witnesses and determine whether or not
there is foundation for impeachment
This hearing will he open to the public,
although there was a proposition made
al the time the charges were preferred
to have the committee work done in priv
ate, on account of the sensational char
acter of the charges
In speaking of the investigation this
afternoon, Chairman Fielder said: This
investigation will he thorough one The
NoilliulNteG Is determined 10 get AT the
bottom of the facts in the cases before
it, and will leave no stump unturned to do
so. Personally, if the gentlemen under
investigation are innocent of the charges
preferred against them, l would do as
much as any man in the state to vindicate
them, but IL they are guilty, then it is a
case of 'hew to the line, let the chips
fall where they may. "
Pending the action of the committee on
his request for the publication of the
names of his witnesses, Senator Carter
decided that he would not continue his
objection to the publication in advance of
service of the subpoenas and the lists
were given to the papers. When Senator
Carter Withdrew his objections, objection
then materialized on the other side. Judge
Reese and Sweat opposed the publication
of the witnesses and the specifications I'M
til the commencement of the investiga-
ton, but Chairman Fielder could do moth
ing in the matter copies of the docu-
ments had already been furnished the
newspaper men by J. l.. Sibley, who as
sisted Senator Carter in preparing the
cases.
Some of the witnesses both in the Reese
and Sweat cases are well known through
out the state He has called Associate Jus
tice Andrew j. Cobb of the supreme court,
Col. j. p. Shannon and Congressman-elect
w. NJ Howard in the Reese case and in
the Sweat case Judge Crovatt Judge Mer-
shon and other prominent people of
Brunswick are summoned, including Con-
gressman-elect Brantley, who is to repre-
sent Judge Sweat at the investigation,
and Solicitor John w. Bennett of Judge
Sweat's circuit
In addition to the charge of scandal.
the additional charge of drunkenness is
brought against Judge Sweat.
Following is the text of Senator Car
ter's papers in the Sweat case:
Hon I. b Fielder chairman Of the in.
vestigating committee appointed by the
House of Representatives to investigate
charges made by the senator from the
Thirty first: l ask subpoenas for the fol-
lowing witnesses. by whom l expect to
show improper conduct on the
part of Judge Sweat while
at Indian Springs: Witnesses George
Collier Bryan Collier, Shine Smith
all of Indian Springs Faulker, John
Dyer (colored), also of Indian Springs; s.
A. Mercer, Georgetown, Ga; DR.. T. s.
Powell, superintendent of the state luna
tic asylum; T. r. Mills. Griffin, Ca; Judge
c. c. Smith, Hawkinsvlle; Rev. s. J..
Jeffords, Waycross, Ga: Jake l.. Beach,
Brunswick Ga; y. Padgett, Baxley Ga /;
+. d. Graham, Baxley, Ca, and Ortiz
Stein, Atlanta Ga.
Il also ask for subpoenas for the fol-
lowing witnesses. by whom l expect to
prove that in May, 1895, the day after the
st. Simons banquet. Judge Sweat, against
the earnest persuasion Of his friends
and after an order was drawn
10 recess the court came 10
the court house. and was taken into
one of the jury rooms. and on account of
his intoxicated condition was urged by his
friends not to go upon the bench; but
against their persuasion and strong ef-
forts TO prevent it, Judge Sweat went on
and held court in an intoxicated condition
and tried the first case called for the
day. the case of the state VS.. -. for in
cestuous forniication. The witnesses are:
Judge Mershon, Kissimmee, Fla; Ernest
Dart, Brunswick, Ga. A. J. Crovatt
Brunswick, Ga. A. d. Gale. Brunswick.
Ga; w. Il. Kay Brunswick; w. M.
Toomer. Brunswick; w. G. Brantley.
Brunswick.
Il expect to prove by the following wit
nesses that on the night previous to this
Judge Sweat was seen i'm a blind tiger
on st. Simons Island. drinking. From
there he went TO the banquet chamber of
the bankers of Georgia, and was so drunk
that when called upon to make a speech.
which speech was limited to ten minutes
by the toast master that he spoke three