The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1906-02-23

The True Democrats editorials have
been vigorous, well written and enter.
tanning, but some Of the State paper.
have demanded that it make its charges
specific.
This the True Democrat has proceed.
ed TO do. One Of its items Is . charge
by the State printer OF $40 for q piece
OF work, which the True Democrat says
the State printer agreed 10 do for 81.
The next charge h graver. We re-
produce u here -
I'VE here and now, as we heretofore
have done. specifically charge that the
Jennings administration unlawfully paid
out Of the State treasury $500, called
legal fees, To- Judge B. s. Liddon, who
was employed TO prosecute, as special
counsel, the case of the State against
Walter L. Taylor"
Is that plainly enough stated?
This matter can be explained.
Mr.. George w. Walker was State
attorney at the time and he and Hon.
William b. Lamar, against whom Mr..
Taylor made the assault, were not on
speaking terms, and the Key West In
ter-Ocean and some other newspapers
printed editorials stating that, owing TO
the intense feeling existing between
these two gentlemen, it would not be in
good taste for Mr.. Walker to prosecute
the case.
Mr.. Walker submitted these editorials
in written communication to the Gov
ernor, and asked that some one else,
without bias or prejudice, be appointed
TO prosecute the case. Governor Jen-
nings agreed with Mr. Walker that the
best interests of the State would per-
haps be served by his retiring from the
case. and appointed Mr.. Liddon as
special counsel.
We believe that the people Of Florida
justify the action of Governor jennings
in this matter.
The proceedings were all made public
and there was no concealment and GER
tainly no corruption attached to it.
Judge Liddon represented the State
and ably and was certainly
entitled to his pay.
We believe in holding our public Of
ficials TO a strict accountability of their
acts, but do not believe in cOndemning
them therefor unlHhs condemnation is
justihable, which does not seem to be
the case in the matter under review. -
Ocala Banner.
Brother Harris, you fail to explain
the matter, and we reproduce an edi.
torial from our issue of July 18th, 1905, |
In proof of it, as it covers the points of |
law in regard to this Liddon fee matter.
We had hoped we were through with
this Taylor Lamar-Liddo business for
several good and sufficient reasons 10
ourseU TOR the present, but ever and
anon are called on for more. Read the
as follows:
WAS 1T CRAFT
Walter l.. Taylor was indicted at the
Ipring term, 1903, of the Leon circuit
.ourt, in May Of that year. May 18th
IN entry was made on the minutes of
he court that "this day came B. S.
Iiddon the assistant State attorney"
'tc., which entry appears in each of
he five cases against Taylor. Through
ut the entire proceedings, in all the
asses against Taylor land Judge Lid
on appeared in no other), he is desig-
ated on the record as assistant State
ttorney."
In the Judgment Of the court, pro-
ounced and recorded December IS,
9O3, Taylor was sentenced to FIVE
ears hard labor, and to pay the costs
4 the prosecution, including a fee of
10 for the State attorney"
In Governor Broward's response to
enate Resolution No. 40, concerning
pecial counsel fees paid out during the
ennings administration, appears the
GLOWING statement: THAT as direct
by law, upon the disqualification of ,
he State attorney for the second
ldicial circuit in the ease Of the State
Florida versus Walter L. Taylor, the
lon. b. s. Liddon Esq, was appointed
y Judge John W., Malone As acting
tate Attorney in that case, and paid }
se of $780," 90, r.-. -. .s.,. I
The law relating to the Appointment Z
assistant State attorneys is as fol- y
TVS: {
Revised Statutes, Section 1866. As Z
slant State attorney. The State at
,rney, by and with the consent Of the b
,urt, may procure the assistance of
ny member of the bar when the y
mount Of the State business renders il
ecessary, either in the grand jury
pom to advise them upon legal points Z
nd Trimming indictments oy IN co,,rt 20 :