The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1908-01-17
FRANK CLARK
AFTER SLANDERERS.
wants WoFld 20 Know who Are Her
BnaInasa Associates.

Frank Clark, Congressman from the
Second Florida Congressional District,
Is determined that his State shall not
suffer through fake charges Of peon-
age made by Mrs Quackenbos, wo-
man lawyer paid by the government,
and on last Saturday introduced the fol
lowing resolution in the House:
Whereas, For several months past
the newspapers Of the United States.
as well as certain magazines, have been
publishing horrible accounts Of what
they term ''peOnage' IN the Southern
States;-and
Whereas. In these publications It
has been boldly and persistently charg- ,
ed that slavery exists IN turpentine
farms, lumber camps and railway
camps in the states OF Florida, Missls-
sppi, Louisiana and practically an the
Southern States; and,
Whereas, The horrible details Of al
legged inhuman treatment accorded these
alleged slaves are such a. to produce
in the minds of prospectus settlers in
the Southern States the conviction
that life is not safe in SAID States;
and,
Whereas, The Department Of Jaa-
tice in numbers OF instances has ~
nored the United States District attOr
neys in many jurisdictions, and has prac-
ticaly committed 20 one Mrs. Quacken-
hos the prosecution Of alleged cases Of
'peOnage' In the South; and,
Whereas, Il Is charged that mum
bers Of innocent men have been indicted
upon the testimony Of perjured witness
es and put 10 great expense in defend
ing themselves against charges that
proved upon trial in open court 10 be
entirely groundless: and,
Whereas, The truth should be known
10 the end that r. involuntary serYi-
tude does exist, az Is claimed, the Con-
gress may be- advised In the premises,
30 that proper legislation may be enact
ed 80 as efectually 20 prevent is con-
tinuance, and II innocent men are being
indicted and tried upon periured testi-
mony. procured and presented By prose-
cutting officers outside the regularly
appointed, sworn, and qualified United
States attorneys In the different states,
the Congress may likewise be advised,
so that necessary legislation may be
had 10 prevent such use OF the depart
ment Of the government In future.
Therefore, be ID
Resolved, That the Speaker Of the
House Of Representatives be, and IL
hereby directed 10 appoint from the
membership of this body committee
Of FIVE, with full power, and whose duty
Il shall be 90 make a full and complete
examination Of all the facts relating 20
all the said charges Of 'peonnge' ~ the
State of Florida and other Southern
States; the acts and dOings Of the said
Mrs. QuackenbO8 and her assistants IN
the matter OF Gaid prosecutions; the
reasons for ignoring the regularly APP
pointed and duly qualified United States
attorneys In certain jurisdictions, and
the employment Of Mrs. Quackenbos
and her associates 20 conduct the said
prosecution, and % investigate thor
Oughly each and every matter and thing
connected with or IN anywise related 20
these charges Of slavery, and the un-'
usual manner Of prosecuting the same,
which II has been alleged has been per
sued by the Department Of Justice,
and to report their findings and cOnclus-
ions TO this House az the earliest prac-
ticable day.
Second, Thst the said special COM
mittee IL fully empowered % send for
persons, 10 summon and compel the at
tendance Of witnesses.