The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-09-25
HARRIS GOES AFTER SPEED
Attorney Of PaWnee County Asks Why the United
States District Attorney Returned Money 70 the
County Which He Alleged He Received Honestly.

cial in their nature and could only be
questioned by direct appeal 10 the dis
trict court and thar an action could npt
be maintained TO recover the money SO
obtained by bribery and collusion
In the pendency OF this action there
was much effort expended by Speeds
friends and attorneys to procure dis
misssl Of the case by the county com
missioners. and this may in some ms=e.
ner account for the fact that the case
was delayed about two years in dis.
trict court without reaching trial
upon the merits and without either
party having requested. in the record
OF the case. continuance. From the
judgment of the district court in favor
OF Speed. proceedings. in error were
filed in the supreme court Of the ter
ritory
Referred to as Political Prosecution.
The case had been frequently re
ferfed to in newspapers as q political
prosecution and an unfounaed assault
upon the character of Mr. Speed The
commissioners had been subjected to
such protracted and earnest persuasion
that just prior to July %. 1905, ma
jority OF the board had agreed with
Speeds friends and solicitors TO dis
miss or d scontinue the case. but July
I 22 1906. after considering the whole
matter in open session, the commission
ers ordered the prosecution Of the case
TO the supreme court of the United
States II necessary, and set forth in
their minutes in rather strong terms
their reasons therefor
After the fling of the case July IS.
1902, in Logan county, Speed publish.
ed an interview in Guthrie paper, in
which he unqualifedIy denounced the
allegations OF the petition as being
false and untrue. but he has declined
persistently to meet the proof that the
plaintiff has been anxious to offer in
support of those charges or avail him
self of an opportunity 10 make denial
under oath.
Speed Paid $1,000 in Settlement.
After procuring an order prohibit
ing the taking of depositions and a
judgment OF the court IN his favor
without an investigation OF the facts
and in the face of the very positive and
uncomplimentary assertions of tn,
board of county commissioners and ths
grand jury Of the county with refer
? ence to the facts of the case and th'
Z persistent attempts to lobby and in
5 nuence the board Of county commits
, sioners TO dismiss and discontinue tn
= prosecution. Speed paid over to the al
, torney for the county in settlement o
the case the sum of $4,000 in cash A
; the time this settlement was consum
o mated. the attorneys and friends O
Speed induced the commissioners I
5 make statement somewhat modifyn
5 their former resolutions with referenc
, TO the contract between Speed and th
e commissioners, but the allegations {
y the pleadings and the FORMER resoll
a ton OF the board as well as the repoi
st of the grand jury with reference
n Speed having received large amour
IT of money contrary 10 the contract an
IS wholly by reason OF bribery aud undu
Ie influence Of the board is stll unchan
sr ed and unmodifed.
)f Il do not desire TO make any asse
e. ton upon my own responsibility wit
g reference to Mr.. Speeds reasons f
d returning to the county $4,000 that
claims he received honestly Upc
e these subjects each man is entitled
iy his own opinion. and have only a
n te,npted to state the substance OF u
Ii charges against him"