The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-01-17
REESE'S ENEMIES ARE ROUTED
THE CHARGE OF DRUNKENNESS
NOT SUSTAINED.

CeFthh OF the Alleged instances.
Hardly n Doubt Hut He VIII he
EXOnernted on Every Charge
Brought Against Him by Senator
Carter.
Atlanta, Ga, Jan. 16.-After an execu-
i've conference this morning the legis-
lauve investigation committee, which had
under consideration the charges against
Judge Seaborn Reese, announced that the
committee had decided to hear no further
evidence on either side with regard to the
charges of drunkenness and improper CON
duct at Bowersville, in TaIaferro or
Wilkes county, or at the Gholston Inn,
where Judge Reese was accused of hay
ing used profane language in the presence
of ladies. This announcement Chairman
Fielder afterward stated meant that the
committee, after going over these counts,
had come to the conclusion that there was
nothing in the charges and would exoner-
ate Judge Reese completely with regard
to them.
The closing of the case on these counts
named left only two other counts open,
that of the feast of the Granite City Cue
Club and the charge of intoxication at
the opening of Madison superior court last
September There is hardly doubt that
Judge Reese win be exonerated on these
counts also. and will. therefore, be COM
pletely exculpated by the committee on all
of the charges brought by Senator Car
ter.
The only witness of Importance exam
ined this morning was J. r. Brown of Bow
ersville, who swore that Col. John p.
Shannon remarked to him once when
Judge Reese was drunk on the platform
of the train: There goes the man VINO
beat me for judge once; look at him
now"
Senator Carter said, when this was OBJ
Jected to, that his object was 10 lmpeach
Col Shannon, who yesterday said that
so far as he could recall, he had never
had any such conversation with Mr.
Brown.
An affidavit was read from Hon. Tom
Watson, who had been subpoenaed as a
witness for the defense. He was unable
to attend the investigation, but In his
affidavit declared that he had never seen
Judge Reese at any time or at any place
under the influence of liquor In an intox-
business of his court was admirably con-
Quoted. Coming from the leading popu-
list of the state, this evidence had a
clinching effect upon the minds of the
committee, who will take the position that
there is nothing in the conduct of Judge
Reese to warrant further investigation.
Conductor Charles Manley of the train
upon which Judge Reese was riding on
the platform, when, it is alleged, he was
drunk, testified that he asked him to
come in off the platform, but that he was
not drunk. He acted only in obedience to
the rules of the road, which prohibits
passengers from riding on the platform.
1t was brought out that Judge Reese
never accepts. passes on the railroads.
but pays all his fare over the ten coun-
ties of his circuit
Ed Boatwright, j. N. Short and F. NJ.
Aiken Of Washington, Ca, all witnesses
for the prosecution, testified in regard TO
the charge that Judge Reese had COM
mitted indecencies on the bench at Wash
ington. All testified that the day was
very warm, and the judge ordered a
bailiff to bring him fan. He then stood
up, opened his Prince Albert coat and
famed his chest. The judge did not open
his vest or any other part of his cloth
ing, and though tanning his legs did so
In perfectly proper manner and no la
dies were offended
Mr.. Christie, official stenographer of
the northern circuit, was with Judge
Reese on a trip from Conner to Daniels
VILE The judge took a drink on the way
and afterwards another one in his room
at Daniesville. On the cross examination
the witness said he did not think the judge
was drunk at the Danielsvllle court. He
had never seen Judge Reese incapacitated
to do his work on account Of whisky. He
had performed his duties as well as any
of his predecessors.
The defense did not introduce any wit
nesses, but at the request Of the commit
tee simply designated three to testify TO
each different count and the committee
took the responsibility for calling them.
Mr.. Meldrim Of Chatham county conduct
ed the examination. Both Senator Carter
and the defense were allowed to cross ex-
anime
Clerk Okelby OF Madison superior court
testified that he did not think Judge Reese
was drunk at the opening Of that court
last September His charge was clear
and forcble, if anything better than usual
J. T. Bond, an attorney of Danlelsvllle,
and present representative for Madison
county, was present at the opening of
court on this occasion, and he did not
think Judge Reese was under the infiu-
ence Of liquor. 1t was a difference in his
manner that was different from usual
There was nothing at all unseemly in his
conduct. On cross examination Mr.. Bond
said he could not swear that the Judge
was entirely sober or drunk. but certainly
not drunk.
j. L. White, a citizen OF Danielsvlle.
testified that he did not notice anything
on the part Of the Judge in charging The
grand jury to indicate that he was not
sober, the business Of the court being
transacted as usual II. f. Vance. a
member OF the Madison county grand Jury
did not consider that Judge Reese's charge
to the grand jury was below the standard,
though he thought he might have had a
drink.
At this point the affidavit OF Tom Wat
son was brought up. 1t was accepted by
the defense. but Senator Carter objected.
and Il was ruled out. II think" said The
senator, that Mr.. Watson should be put
on the same footing as all the other wit
nesses. He should not be excused from
attending the committee just because II Is
Watson. The defense agreed TO excuse
Mr.. Watson from attendance, but his ar
fdavit was ruled out on Senator Carriers
objection.
The committee excused all but certain
named witnesses, and then took a recess
30 1880 o'clock, to hear from these, In
concluding the investigation.
The judiciary investigation was not