The Savannah morning news., 1900-09-28
ATTACK CAUSED BY ANIMUS.
so SAY THE McREES oF CHARGES
AGAINST THEN.

Claim That Edmondson l. Influenced
by the Fact that His Hrothcr-in-
Law Brice Lost some Con,icts
which Went 20 the McRee camps.
They Deny IN Toto the Charges
That Innocent Persons Have Been
Restrained.
Vadosta Ca. sept T-Tho sensational
story which was printed in Atlanta yes
tcrdsy and sent out 90 the Associated
Pross from thst city last night 90 refer
cnce 10 the treatment % couyicts at tie
lowudes county oouu.t camp. created
o. greater sensation here than iu PROBABLY
any other part Of tAo state.
Fortunately for the I.owndes county
convict camps the Mcssrs. McRcc, who
are al the head OF them had been givcn
on mixing Of Lawyer Edmondsons pur-
poscs. and had already invited fun IN
vestgaton. Hon Tom Eason spent "a day
there iast week. and make a very close
Inspection ana was much pleased with
the management Mr. Edmondson. h
seems. makes his charges against the Mo
Rees. who run the convict camps. but
places an Of his alleged facts az having
happened at Mr. WIN McRec'a place
where free labor BE- employed entirely. Mr
Ia McRee was seen 10y your correspond
ent this morning and questioned az to the
charges.
says There - Animus.
'~rhe animus behind the charges is so
plain 40 US he said. that ] hardly Zee.
like no,iciug them Mr. Edmondson IL
brother-n-lsw OF Mr. NJ Buce who op-
crates a county convict camp boz Brooks
county. Mr.. Brice has contracts with
certain counties 70 hire the mlsdcmeanor
convicis. In one OF these counties We
made a contract with some misdemeanor
GO; lets, egreeiuE to pay their fines
and iel them work d out with us. They
preferred 20 so 20 our place aud We took
chem. Mr. Brice heard OF this and Nj
Edmondson. his attorney came 20 our
place and stated tha- he had been en-
ployed by Mr.. Brice 20 investigate the
matter ana set the men away from our
place. as ar. Buce needed Iaborers at
his place. lie was given access TO them
and We found that he had done his utmost
To get the men 20 leave. as well a. 9th
efs employed by u.s. but they refused 90
do 50. He also claimed that he was rep
tesentng some relatives OF parties work
ing Al Mr. W. 5. McRee's place. which
adioins ours. aud is not a convict camp
straining any one, aud Edmondson was
allowed 10 go amOng his laborcrs By
promises OF better pay in Brooks county
ne made some OF them dissatisfied and
nled writs OF hAbeas corpus aud the cases
went into the courts here. IL was clearly
proved. 10 the satisfaction OF the Judge
upon the bench. that the laborers were nor
restrained against their will and Edmond
son had the costs to pay "a tho case
The negroes returned voluntarily 10 WINS |
place and even went 20 his lawyer ana
begged him 60 get VIII TO take them
back.
Defeated In the Courts.
This happened only last week. Having
been defeated 10 the courts. Edmondson
goes 60 Atlanta and seeks TO prejudice
the people by sensational charges in the
newspapers. II had time. AR McRes
continued. II could go further Ia the
whole story Of Edmondson's attitude to-
wards us and prove concluElveiy that ma
lice Is behind his every statement
Mr. McRee says further that he
can prove by the best citizens
Of Lowndes and Brooks counties
not By criminals and ignorant negroes.
that Mr.. Edmondson said only recently
that he was did Tired OF the prison
board. complimenting the McRet.s on the
management Of their camps and condemn
ing Brice upon the management OF his"
McRee's camps have been regarded here
as perfect model Ia every respect and
the charges in the press a. coming from
Solicitor Edm1ndson created a big sensa-
tion. About the only complaint heard
against them heretofore g. that they treat
their cOnvicts go humaucly that IL Is not
regarded punishment 10 be sent there.
In fact negro convicted % stealing here
some weeks ago stated that he committed
The crime ~ order 20 gct where he could
set plenty TO cat aud be treated wei.