The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-03
Congressman Clark of Florida Assai|s the Investigators
 Sent to the South
HOUSE INVESTIGATION
 VIII! BE PUT ON FOOT
MT. Humphreys of Mississippi Seconds MT. Clark's Words and Declares That His State Also Wanted
 Fair Treatment.

Washington. March 2.-An investiga- ton by the Immigration committee of labor conditions in the turpentine camps, plantations and other authori- ties of the south, especially the ex- iistence of peonage, is provided for in Ia resolution taken up by the House to : .day under suspension of the rules Mr. Williams of Mississippi said the cir 'culation abroad of stories regarding Ipeonage had done harm to the south <and he desired an investigation by an important body. In reply to a question by MT. Mann of Illinois he said he be- ieved the stories had been put out by aeor agents in New York in order to ilVert labor to other sections of the country. MT. Humphrey of Mississippi Supported the resolution. MT. Clark Of Eflorlda bitterly attacked the depart Ehent of justice in connection with it's prosecutions of peonage. While not Exposing the resolution, Mr. Hardwick Hf Georgia decided it was hardly nec- 4ssary fnasmuch as the immigra tion Commission already had full authority )f law to conduct the proposed investi 1ation. The resolution was adopted sb2 to 3s.
 j MT Humphreys of Mississippi sup Sprted the resolution. He charged that Fl systematic campaign had been waged pr the past 12 months throughout the fess of the country, "by those whose terest could be best served in that lay for the purpose Of discouraging Emigration to the south. Stories cs homage and white slavery. he said, had Hen conjured up and with sensational loring, and tie state of Mississippi peeiallg hsia ag se sas Mosld s.,!s ss unment, he said. had busted tn em- Hives, fin concocting and circuD et 'nsu- IaSe sti I ds. now most bh hemeutlv des them, as ] daid he, "l vant some trlbunf. them .sd and auth or Ned to swear witneeyes and hear testi- 'ony. and before which this issue may I.tried to the end that those who have tered these iibels may be compelled Nappear and either substantiate them II stand convicted as common sla1- Fers."
 MT. Clarks Criticism.
 In a bitter criticism of the govern lent and some of it's officials, MT. lark of Florida declared that the state Florida was prepared to answer the kcounts of 'peonage,' slavery 'in- bluntary servitude, brutal and in Iman treatment for laborers, and other knishments which smell of the 'slums' Ia in some of the most remarkable VI I. ri mi n Ustice of the United States, which ne Iarged were absolutely false in all lrticulars. The people of Florida, he Nserted. courted the fullest invest. Ition of a matter which had been Of much injury to the fair name of Heir state. He predicted that these uople twill come through the ordeal
 investigation with out the smell fire upon their garments and in Mite of the batteries of slander which
 the past year have been belching cir infamous slump -begotten fabrl- tions. The department of justice, MT. Clark arged. had never been specially dis guished flor the legal knowledge of the eged lawyers who are generally sup sed to be housed therein But, he said aft usually something of lawyer had an at it's head He feared that the nntry had fallen into 'evil times with terence to the "big chief of that de RI rtment Whatever may be the qualih- lions of Attorney General Bonaparte
 said that official had been unfortu- te in the selection of some of his in .iors to whom had been committed W mage prosecutions in Florida ano Ter states. He referred to Attorney neral Bonaparte as this "transpante6 of alleged French nobility" whc become acquainted with lady aring the euphonious cognomen of Mrs ! ,ry Grace Quackenbos, whose held o or nrevious to her acquaintance witt i, great Baltimore lawyer was in tho ms of the Eastside of dear old Man ttan isle.'
 Very Proper Person.
 Ie presumed, therefore, that MT. Bona -te considered "this great slum work a. very proper person to send t' ,rida to regulate conditions in tht lth.
 fr. Clark next turned his attention
 Assistant Attorney General Charles
 Russell. who was given charge O investigation, whom, he said, quick
 called to his aid Mrs Quackenbos Cod" he exclaimed. what com
 ation. In normal times it would b'
 affliction upon any people to sem their midst CnarieS w. Rosseil,
 thern man and a democrat and Mar. zee Ouackenbos, in combination or sep ttely." ,., |, feferring to certain prosecutions 1T
 rida MT. Clark said that the caper
 bv these people in the federal court
 my state take the palm" He coui'
 er he said at the present time, dis
 6 either the merits of the cases or tn knduct of these people, as he would k but as regarding MT. Russell, h
 k. "This presence forbids my charac
 izinp him as he ought to be charac
 l1ad as he deserves to be designated
 I would designate him if coui'
 so without offending the proprietie
 th,s nresence It is dirty piro Una
 1uls it's own nest
 Absolutely Unworthy.
 pnsseu asserted MT. Clark ha'
 recently filed with the commute
 r,nes of the House. his report Q
 ,ruarv IA. 1907, in which. he saio, M,
 cell writes himself down as apsp ,,t
 h,, unworthy to be entrusted Wls
 r,ace. where the honor, the nus iss
 or ph inc liberty of the citizen Is III
 led" .oa had gone ou