The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-03-01

757 votes out of a total of less than 900. Had two opponents in democratic pri- mary. The deposit of $50 was made in January or February. It was put up as a pledge of good faith on his part. This was exaeted of him by the democrats. Wright was to hold the fund in trust If he was nominated for solicitor, he was to pay it. Wright was his friend. he said
 When the consolidated court bill was knocked out he announced that if the fourteenth circuit was abolished he would expect to get back the $750 Some agreed with him, others differed. In reply, ne met the candidates and proposed that In case they paid him $500 then. no matter what happened he would give $250 to the campaign fund. From Hot Springs he wrote Wright a tough letter." demand ing the money Urged his father to see Wright and get the money.
 Wanted It All.
 When the supreme court knocked out the fourteenth circuit, he told Wright he wouldn't accept a cent less than $75O He wouldn't take s5OO-he wanted 1t all. How ever. he told Wright that if the Governor called a special session of the legisla- ture and re-established the fourteenth cir cult. he didn't want any of the $75O Oth- erwise he wanted 1t all back.
 When Wright brought him the certifi- cate of deposit Sunday October o. Wrlghts name was not endorsed across it's back. He made Wright so endorse it. He told Wright he wouldn't have any conference with the democratic candi- dates. He hadn't consulted them. he said, when he put up the $750 and he didn't intend to consult them when he took 1t down. Wright endorsed the cer- thcate and he endorsed it. He wrote the letter and he signed and stamped it. Wright only mailed 1t. Wright told him. he said. that he (WrighD would give $2OO if he had never had anything to do with the affair.
 Intended to Go to Jasper.
 When he got the letter he intended to go to Jasper on the mail train. That's why he got the letter out Admitted that he got 1t, but denied that Mrs. Pow ell was holding it back when he received it. He said Curtis and Freeman and his father, E. Blanton, had testified to the truth and that Wright and Maxwell had not
 He said that he told the democratic candidates a week later that Wright understood that he (Blanton) was to get only $500, but that he resorted to this de- ception in order to protect his friend
 At this point Assistant United States Attorney Standifer asked the defendant to explain why he had withdrawn his subscription. To this question the defense strenuously objected MT. Standifer point ed out that the government had tried to keep the political features of the case from coming out, but inasmuch as they had come out. 1t was only proper to probe the question.
 Long and heated arguments followed between Mir. Standifer, for the govern ment. and MT. Curtis for the defense.
 Standifer Denounces Blanton.
 MT. Standifer denounced, in round words, Judge Blanton as recreant to his party, squealer, man who had broken faith with his political associates.
 They stood by him; they put up their money; they helped him; they fought his battles. He said that he was to give this money to his party's cause, If they elected him in the primary. They elected him. They fulfilled their part of the moral contract. And now he attempts to back out of his bargain. By what scheme,