The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-05-04
Beard Makes Grave Charge.
n---L- IL ~ o z %

Hon JnO. S. Beard is self-explanss
tory:
Beard Makes Grave Charge.
Pensacola, Fla, May 3, 1906.
Editor Pensacola Journal:
In your paper of the 2nG instant
appears a letter from J. 3. Whitfield.
Associate Justice of the Supreme
Court. to the effect that he had been
informed that 1 had publicly stated.
that he, in return for the appointment
as Attorney General, gave to the gov
eTnor an opinion as 70 the character,
OF the commission issued to Colonel
s. l. WALES by Governor Drew in
1879. Judge Whitfield in this letter
denies the truth of the charge that
he has been informed that have
made.
Let US consider the date Of Mr..
Whiufeld's appointment as Attorney
General, the date of Governor Jen-
nings's request for this opinion and
the date of this opinion, together vita
other well known facts and Circum-
stances surrounding this transaction.
In July. 1902, the State of Florida
realized from the Federal Govern
ment the sum of 81 ,O89, 1886 as the
result of work done by the late Col.
W. K Beard Of Tallahassee, and
Col. S. I. WALES.
When the State realized this vast
amount Of money in July, 1902 the
Honorable w. b. Lamar was, and had
been for twelve years. the Attorney
General of the state, and he continued
III that Office for about eight months
after the money had been paid into :
the state treasury, viz, until Febru.
airy %, 1903.
Mr.. Lamar was familiar with the
contract between s. I. Wales and the
state, and the claim of the state /.
against the United States govern
nent. and h had ma1a at least Ons
trip to Washington while Attorneys
General in the interest Of the claim
of the state against the United
States. Governor Jennings did not, I
during the eight months that Mr.. La
mar was Attorney General after the
money was paid into the state treas-f
ury, ask for or obtain the opinion OF
the Attorney General upon this mat
ter. Mr.. Lamar has more than ones
told me that if Governor Jennings
ever mentioned the subject TO him,
that he does not recall IL.
Mr.. Whitfield succeeded Mr.. Lamar
as Attorney General on February 2S.-
1903 He says in his letter to The
Journal: "On the morning of Febru-
airy %. 1903, I took charge of the At
tOrney Generals Office" On that
Gay, viz. February %. 1903 (the day.
that he took charge Of the OfHce). Mr.
Whitfield says in his letter to The
Journal, that among several written
requests sent TO him By the governor
was one asking an opinion as to the
character Of the commission issued
TO Colonel Wales by Governor Drew
in 1879.
On the 3rd day Of March 1903. less
than four days after his appointment
as Attorney General, and the request
Of the governor for his opinion. he
sends an opinion upon this important
matter to the governor. and that too
when he had, according to his Letter
10 The Journal, several other writ
ten requests fFr d the governor Of the
same date to consider.
The questions which naturally pre-
sent themselves are: Why did not
Governor Jennings secure the opinion
Of Mr.. Lamar during the eight
months that Mr.. Lamar was Attorney
General for the state after the money
had been paid into the state treasury
Why did Governor Jennings defer his
request for this opinion Of the At
tOrney General. for eight months and
then ask il the very day, viz, Febru-
airy %, 1903. that Mr. Lamar went out
Of the Office as Attorney General. and
Mr. Whitfield went into the Office as
General? Why did Govern
or Jennings appoint Mr. Whitfield At
torney General Of the state, when, 4
ne. Mr. Whitfield. had had the legal
ability and learning Of Judge Marshall
neither Governor Jennings, nor any
one else could have known II, as. Mr..
Whitfield had never practiced law, OF
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