The Savannah morning news., 1904-03-16
NEGRO is GIVEN
FULL JUSTICE
IN COURTS OF GEORGIA.
SAID COL. MELDRIM, IN ARGUMENT
IN POENAGE CASES.

IL Law-Abiding and Fulfilling Du-
ties to state and County, the
Courts viii Protect His Rights
and Redress His Wrongs-Arsued
Special Demurrers in PeOnhge
Cases Against the McLeods and
Lester WiIIiamsOn-Claimed In
distments Were Not Clear.
IF a negro behaves himself and
does his duty by the state, the coun-
ty. the city. and his neighbors, he need
have no fear. but that his rights will
be protected and that he will receive
full justice in any action at law.
"In Georgia there is no trouble in
administering the criminal law in its
relation to the colored people. They
are given full justice if they have
proved themselves law-abiding and
worthy citizens"
These words were used in the Unit
ed States courts yesterday morning by
Col. p. w. Meldrim in his argument
on the demurrers in the peonage cases
against the McLeods and Lester Will
hanson. The statement came up in
reply to an implied statement made
Monday that the negro could not get
full justice in Georgia law.
Argued Special Demurrer.
In beginning his argument, Col. Mel
drim stated to the court that he would
not discuss the questions raised by
the general demurrer, but was con-
tent to let his case rest on the argu-
ments that had been so ably and force
fully presented by Messrs. Wilson and
Toomer on Monday. He then briefly
discussed the special demurrers.
His first claim was that the indict-
ments contained no allegation of a sys-
tenn or condition of peonage existing
in the state of Georgia and kept up
by the defendants. Until this is shown
the case is without foundation as the
act on which it is predicated is aimed
directly at a condition, and not a
thing.
Secondly he argued that the indict-
ment made no mention of what debt
was being worked out. This he con-
tended was grave error, as the ex-
istence of a debt, or obligation, is
necessary to peonage, and that as soon
as the said debt or obligation is dis
charged that the peonage ends.
His third argument was similar to
the second, claiming that the indict-
ment referred to a contract. and yet
made. no mention of what it was.
Line of Argument.
The last argument was to the effect
that the relation which existed be-
tween the alleged peon, Bud Sutton,
and the McLeods, was not clear
Nv ahd definitely stated. This, he
argued, was a grave error. On these
grounds he asked that the special de-
murrer be sustained and that the gen.
eral demurrer be sustained on the
grounds brought forward by Messrs.
Toomer and Wilson.
Mr.. Akerman, for the government,
stated that he did not wish to reply
at any length to the grounds brought
forward by Col. Meldrim, but asked
the court to hold the arguments he
had presented Monday in mind as a
reply to the argument of the defense.
He read the indictment against the
McLeods and called attention to one
or two particulars in which it differed
from the indictments against Mcclellan
and Crawley.
Immediately after these arguments
had been concluded, Judge Speer an
nounced that he would take them un-
der consideration. He then read his
opinion overruling the demurrers in
the cases against Mcclellan and Craw-
ley.