The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1907-08-30
STATEMENT OF BROWN
Issued to People Of Georgia Anent His Sus-
pension from Railroad Commits
sion by Governor.


sion by Governor.
Joseph NJ Brown, VINO was suspend
ed from the railroad commission Of
Georgia by Governor Smith, has writ
ten card to the public in which he
states that the governor took unfair
advantage of him in this action be-
cause he knew the legislature would
not sustain him Commissioner Brown
will not contest the order Of the gov
crnor in the court. He will let the
matter 90 to the Legislature and trust
to that body for his vindication. Com
missioner Browns card to the public
is as follows:
"To the People Of Georgia:
"On August 21st, the governor Of
Georgia issued an order purporting to
suspend me from the office Of rail
road commissioner; and on the same
date commissioned another citizen to
FIJI the office thus declared vacant,
The legality OF these acts | absolute
ly deny
This action by the governor was
unquestionably promoted by spleen. /
shah not undertake, however, to try
this matter in the public press, but
with few words upon this subject
viii ask a fair-minded public to with
hold any adverse opinion until the
next session of the general assembly
because am denied until then even
an opportunity to yindicate myself
During Mr.. Smiths campaign for
governor which lasted more than fiji
teen months, he repeatedly stated that
his first official act, should he be made
governor. would be to suspend me from
Office. He took the oath Of office
June 20, and as stated above his Or
der suspending me was not issued I'm
tn August DIST, almost two months
having Sxpired after his inauguration
before any action was taken to carry
onl his oft-repeated threat. Further
than this, the law under which he
acts requires that the suspension be
reported to the legislature, in order
that it might say whether or not the
reasons for suspension are sufficient
To remove the suspended commissioner
from office When the governor took
The oath Of office, the general assem-.
bly, was then in session, and remained
in session until only three days prior
to my suspension, ana If the govern
or had desired that investigation in
this case which the law contemplated,
submit 10 the fairness Of the Deo-
pla of Georgia, would he not have act
ga sooner? Why did he not allow me
me privilege Of a trial? Would any
Judge while court was in session, as
ii was SO to speak, in this case, pass
sentence upon any man without dGst
giving him that right 70 which he is
entitled under all laws, the right OF
tgial? 1t would have taken only a few
days to have finished with this matter
had the governor acted, as he so often
said he would. promptly after his in
auguration, or while the legislature
was in session, but he does not do this
He waits until the adjournment Of
the general assembly, at time when
I-haye no opportunitt to defend my
self. and in this unfair manner takes
advantage of the authority which he
claims is vested in him by law, be-
cause he well knew that l had done
nothing as railroad commissioner
which the law forbids, and he well
knew that the legislature would not
sustain him. l submit to the fair
ness of the people of Georgia that
this is unjust
Respectfully,
".-" JOSEPH NJ. BROWN"