Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1902-03-24
A CARD.
judge A. B. Grace Replies to Sorrels'
Opera House TRADE.

Judicial Circuit see in a morning
newspaper a report of a speech, said
to have been delivered by my oppo
nent, Mr.. w. B. Sorrells, at the opera
house last Saturday night, in which
he claims that | was the cause Of his
Indictment, etc, and also that he had
repeatedly tried to get me to meet and
answer him in public debate, etc. In
reply | desire to say:
/. That Mr.. Sorrells has never
once mentioned to me the subject Of a
joint canvass or debate, and has never
sent me any notice of his desire t.
have me meet him except once in the
early part of February, when he sent
me word by Mr.. Banning that he
would speak at Sulphur Springs Oh
| the following night. Of his other
] speeches | know nothing except by
newspaper reports or common rumor.
2. AS to the indictments now pend
ing against Mr.. Sorrells wish to say
cmphatically and without qualification
that | have never in my life, either
directly or Indirectly caused, or pro-
cured, or suggested the indictment Of
Mr.. Sorrells or any other man, and
that am in nowise responsible for
them. Just at the close of the last
spring term of the jefferson circuit
court the grand jury came into open
court and stated that they desired to
investigate charges of malfeasance in
Office against Mr.. Sorrells, and asked
that the court appoint a special prose
cutting attorney to assist them. AS the
judge of the court l could not refuse
and I appointed Mr.. w. T. Young, a
gentleman of such character and
standing that Mr.. Sorrells Immediately
came to me and thanked me for ap.
pointing him. A few days later the
grand jury came into open court and
the foreman, Capt. N. T. Roberts, in
the presence of all the grand jury, pre-
scented two bills of indictment against
Mr.. Sorrells, signed by himself, as
foreman, and by Mr.. Young, as special
prosecuting attorney. These were
filed by the clerk and are still pend
ing, as are many other indictments
against other persons, filed long be-
fore these and which have not been
pressed for trial. The petit jury for
that term had been discharged, but
on Monday, the 18th of November,
1901, notified MI Sorrells that
would set his cases for trial on the
following Monday, November %, and
he could get ready for trial according
ly. On the next day, Tuesday. Novem-
Der 10, 1901, was attacked by a dan,
gerous disease-appendicit did
not leave my bed for six weeks next
following. On the same day Mr. w
F. Coleman was elected special cir
cult judge in my stead and the court
continued under his direction for about
ten days or more and until the term
for trials closed. If Mr.. Sorrells was
really anxious for a trial, here was his
opportunity. Mr.. Coleman, being one
of his attorneys. was disqualified, but
the court was in session and the bar
would have elected some disinterested
lawyer to preside in his case and give
him trial. A jury was in attendance
with very little to- do, and as I was
sick at home, there was absolutely
nothing to prevent his having fair
hearing before an impartial judge and
jury if he wished it. The public can
judge as easily as I why he did not
demand it.
3. If Mr. Sorrells' speeches are to
be judged by the specimen printed in
yesterday mornings Courier, l must
; respectfully decline to be made a tar
get for his coarse abuse, vituperation
and Misrepresentation. My life
: character and record as citizen and
a public official are we'll known to the
people. So are those of my opponent
Mine is an open book. no pages OF
which would / care to conceal or apol
ogize for, and by it am willing to Be
judged by my fellow citizens. I de
not believe that anything Mr.. Sorrells
may say about me will alter or injurf
my reputation as an honorable mai
and competent official, and l shal
not enter into any mud-slinging con
test with him. Respectfully,
A. B. GRACE