The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-11-08
MR. ROUNTREE WRITES
sUsPENDED sECR ETARY GIVES
 OUT ATIuEENT.
Hs Asks That Judge tnsnt Be With held uutil . "Righ teous Decis- ion" May Be Rel idered By
 the Press Asso. siation.

Birmingham, Nov. 1--( Speciai.l-J. A. Rountree, khe !deposed secretary of the Alabama State Press Assc citation, today issued a statement in ref srence to his ease. Mir. Rountree is under suspenion pending investigation on charges grow ig out of the trip made to Canada under the ausptees of the Press Ass pciation. MT. Rounkree admited at a recent. meeting of the Association that he had made money out of the trip It was chare ed that the Secretary manipulated railroad passes, and charged those persons W ho went on the trip much more than the should have paid. The statement of MT. Rountree giv- en out today Is as follows:
 When the recently held meeting Of the Alabama Press Association deferred the hearing of charges against me, and, as the substitution required, postponed final disposifion of the same to the next arl- nual meeting, I presumed that 50 far as my case was concerned. the few newspa- ypers which had levinced-a spirit of perse- cution towards me would permit the mat ter to be settled at the constituionaiiy prescribed time upon the facts submitted But as some of them continue to publish articles for the purpose of defaniing my character, and show an unwillinsness to await the decision of the proper tribunal, feel that 1t is my duty to myself and those who have sbefriended me 5to write this statement of facts, that all may know what has occurred in the various steps which have been taken to place me at disadvantage in public. enntem- plation. i
 Ffrst-I was ohargea1 with, making money on the Canadian tour in violation of professional duty. and with imposing upon railroads. !. 's''
 second-I asked. for an investigation and the chairman of that committee was himself admittedly guilty of the latter charge. had and presented correspond ence showing that the representative of the railroad issued its co,Irtesies direct to the editors upon written application sign cd by them, and I admitted that made some money as I contended had right to do under the circumstances.
 Third-Upon the assembling of the call ed meeting of the Association. it was ap- parent that that meeting could not, un- der the rules, receive the report of the investigating committee or proceed with a trial thereupon-notwithstan 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.
 Eince that meeting have been pur- susAa and vilIified by a few of those who were present at the called meeting, some of whom disposed of their own transpor- tation for their personal advantage, and are themselves guilty of an offense to- ward the Association for there is pre- scribed but one penalty-expulsion.
 I will not take up a special and sepa- rate newspaper controversy with each and every one of my enemies, whose personal malevoience, rather than desire to fur thr justice. plainly marks their every ar ticie.
 sflaii take no further notice of them until the time comes for my full justifi- cation. I ask those members of the press, who have shown no other interest in this matter than that 1t should be settled &C., cording to the evidence, and the public generally. that they suspend their judg- ment until there shall be a full investi- gation of the facts dnvolved, so that both the Press Association and the public can render d righteous decision. This Is all ask and to this am entitled.
 In conclusion, I desire to say that for nay final viRdication. as well as absolute and fndubitsb1e support for the charges I have prefexied in writing, I am amply armed with evidence that cannot be con troverfed. Very truly. nsg
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