The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-06-28
THE POLITICAL ASPECT
 OF THE PEONAGE CASES
BY BRUCE KENNEDY.

the federal grand jury in its investiga ton Of the peonage cases promises to give as wide a field for investigation as the alleged systems" of peonage themselves.
 The unusual and unwarranted exploita- tion of matter manifest,y improper for publication has given the investigation a national aspect which its character and extent does not justify and has forced upon right thinking persons, familiar with the facts, the conclusion that govern mental agents are playing a petty game of politics.
 Whether the publicity promotion bureau is located in Washington or in Montgom- cry may not be said. The proof is abun- dant that affidavits, made within the sup posediy sacred walls of a grand jury room and rightfuly denied to Alabama newspapers have been freely given to intensely partisan newspapers and that these newspapers. basing their utterances upon these, have in some cases proceeded to indict the whole State of Alabama.
 There is a political aspect to the peon- age cases. political aspect that has been injected into the investigation by govern ment officials and eagerly promoted by a press unfriendly to this section of the country.
 But, shouts the publicity promotion bureau. the honora bie judge of the court is a Democrat and a Southern man, the District Attorney and the gentlemen in his office are Southern men. the juries investigating these cases are composed of Southern men and mainly Democrats, and some of the very Eastern newspapers that are exploiting grand jury affidavits arc politically Democratic.
 In the name of justice and right doing what has this to do with the matter? Is 1t defense of the culpable acts of gov ernment officials to admit that politics is playing a part. pleading that 1t is not partisan politics? True Republican news papers may bolster Congressman Crum- packers pet political measure on "horri- bie statements made in a grand jury room, touching damnable conditions on three Alabama farms. True sop may be thrown to negroes by subordinates of the Roosevelt administrat ton, but wheth- CT Democratic or Republican gain is sought. the fact that politics is playing in this serious affair is enough to make the indignation of nation boil with fury.
 Gentlemen in the office of the District Attorney contend that politics has not been injected into these investigations; that no possible advantage would accrue to them by exploiting testimony made be- fore the grand jury. and finally it Is denied that his testimony has been given to any newspaper. Shown affidavfts pub lished by The New York Post two months ago and by The Cincinnati Enauirer two weeks ago attaches of the District Attorneys office expressed astonishment at their publication. These affdavits were made in the grand jury room and it was admitted that their publication before the defendants had been arrested or tried was wholly inexcusable. In explanation of this leakage" of the governments testl- mony District Attorney Reese said that he sent daily report to the Department of Justice in Washington accompanied by copies of affidavits made to the grand jury.
 The injustice of the statement made by at least one partisan newspaper that "the press of Alabama is minimizing the im- portance of these cases is easily seen. The press of Alabama has no under ground channel to the grand jury room. Moreover the press of Alabama has de. cent ideas of the proprieties connected with criminal prosecutions. Again, the press of Alabama was distinctly denied access to information published by news papers of the East and West. One of these newspapers, The New York Post, is frequently referred to as the personal organ of President Roosevelt"
 It was a matter of common report six months ago that District Attorney Reese was about to be removed from office for pertinacious activity in the lilly white" movement in Alabama. This ridiculous movement, which fell to pieces like ashes before the wind when Presidential utter ances on the negro question were pro- mulgated, caused scattering of its pro- motors for shelter. Ipse dlxit! The Pres ident did not desire the elimination of the negro from Republican councils! In Ala bama there was scurrylng of Repubh- can officeholders and erstwhile lilly whites had a quick change of heart.
 District Attorney Reese was a lilly white" leader and as has been said. it was a matter of common report that he was about to be removed Indeed. the name of his probably successor was time apd again mentioned. It was said that he had Haunted In the face of the Roose- welt administration his anti-negro predi- lection and that inc edlct had gone forth that his official head aust fall.
 What have these matters of recent his tory to do with the peonage cases? Why this: President Roosevelt can hardly pass over his favorite newspaper these morn ings at his coffee and eggs without his eyes resting upon a picture of District Attorney Warren s. Reese of the Middle District of Alabama, the man who is wig orously prosecuting white men who held negroes in slavery"
 Let justice be done District Attorney Reese. He is vigorously prosecuting these terrible cases and a million citizens of Alabama applaud him for 1t. But a mil lion citizens of Alabama. and. 1t Is sus- pected, the President himself, deplores the pernicious publicity for political pur- poses which has been given the prose- cutions.
 Mayhap the District Attorney has zeal ously interested himself in secrecy as to his testimony. Prosecuting attorneys usually do but the conditions have been here stated and conclusions may be drawn.
 It is a fact and by the way never be- fore stated that the Federal grand jury for the Northern District of Alabama in session at Birmingham, beginning last November. devoted considerable time tO alleged practices of peon- age in Coosa and Shelby counties and so far as known the picture of District Att torney Thomas R. Ro',i.ac of that court has never been printed, nor has his name been used in connection with the eases. This grand jury returned several indibt- | ments and when the defendants were ar- rested early in March and taken to Bir- mingham the terrible accusations were | given to the public.
 If some If the captious critics at the | North who charge that Southern news papers are minimizing the importance | of these cases" will refer to the files of | The Advertiser they will find that the | nrst legitimate publication of these de- plorable conditions were printed on the l first page beginning with the first col | 1mn of this newspaper and under the | largest headline type used by this paper. | It was a matter of grave concern to the people of Alabama and The Advertiser