The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-08
ROUNTREE MAKES
 PUBLIC STATEMENT
WANTS JUDGMENT SUSPENDED UNTIL THERE IS A FULL INVES- TIGATIoN AND REPORT ON THIS AND OTHER CHARGES.

J. A. Rountree, ex-secretary or the Alabama Press association, yesterday is sued the following statement, asking that the public postpone making their decision until after the final meeting of the as- sociation:
 To the Public
 When the recently held meeting of the Alabama Press association deferred the hearing of charges against me- ana, as the constitution required postponed final disposition of the same to the next an nual meeting. l presumed that so Tar as my case was concerned. the few news papers which had evinced spirit of persecution towards me would permit the matter to rest until it was settled at the constitutlonally prescribed time upon the facts submitted. But as some of them continue to publish articles for the pur- pose of defaming my character and show an unwillingness to await the decision of the proper tribunal, l feel that 1t is my duty to myself and those who so faithful ly have befriended me, to write this statement of facts, that all may know what has occurred in the various steps which have been taken to place me at a disadvantage in public contemplation.
 1. l was charged with making money on the Canadian tour in violation of pro- 
 railroads.
 ?. I asked for an investigation and the chairman of that committee was himself admittedly guilty of the latter charge. l had and presented correspondence show ing that the representative of the rail- road issued it's courtesies direct to the editors upon written application signed by them, and I admitted that l made some money as I contended I had right to do under the circumstances.
 3. Upon the assembling of the call meeting of the association it was appar- ent that that meeting could not under the rules receive the repart of the in- vestigatng committee or proceed with a trial thereupon. Notwithstanding this, members of the faction against me en- deavored to override the constitution and summarily mete out their wrath. In this they were foiled by the lovers of fair play and justice.
 Since that meeting I have been pursued and villified by few of those who were present at the called meeting, some of whom disposed of their own transporta- ton for their personal advantage, and are themselves guilty of an offense to- ward the association which their is pre- scribed but one penalty-Expulsion.
 I will not take up d special and separate newspaper controversy with each and every one of my enemies, whose personal malevolence, rather than a desire to fur ther justice plainly marks their every article. l shall take no further notice of them until the time comes for my full Justification I ask those members of the press, who have shown no other in- terest in this matter than that it should be settled according to the evidence, and the public generally, that they suspend their judgment until there shall be a full investigation of the facts involved. so that the Press association and the public can render a righteous .sscision.
 This is all l ask, and to this I am en- titled In conclusion, l desire to say that for my final vindication, as well as absolute and indubitable support for the charges l have preferred in writing, l am amply armed with evidence that cannot be controverted. Very respectfully.
 J. A. ROUNTREE