The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-08
H|CDON AND PEEW MAKE STATEMENT Sheriff Explains Connection With Jefferson Cases DEFENDS DEPUTY POLICY Says He Charged Corporations Same Price That Has Been Charged
 By All of His Prede-
 cessors.

Sheriff E. l.. Higdon yesterday maue a statement in answer to the recent card of Solicitor H. F. Hefiin In Which the sheriff disclaims intention or re- fiecting on the solicitors conduct In the so-called Jefferson shooting cases. In tnls connection Hinds Peevey, attorney for the sheriff also made statement setting forth his connection with the Jefferson cases which went by default before Judge I. H. Benners Sheriff Higdon's state- ment is as follows:
 "In the matter appearing in public print in regard to the solicitor oflce in the Jefferson cases, misunderstano- ing his arisen largely due to the pre- seribed duties of the office of sheriff and solicitor The solicitor has stated that I placed him in false light before the public. I disclaim any such intention, and regret that he has so construed my defense of my office when it was crit icised by MT. Fairley of the United Mine Workers in the instance referred to-
 q recognize the relationship of cooper alton which should obtain between two such offices for the preservation ol or der and the apprehension of and prose cution of criminals, as of those or the sheriff of Jefferson county, and the sollc-
 
 for the public good, to yield any mere technical point as provided in the stat utees, and to do not only my lawful duty, but to go outside of form and custom ana do my duty as a citizen to uphold the law of the state l believe the solicitor stands ready to do the same
 Why Answer Was Delayed.
 "I have delayed making this statement i1ntil the strike was over AS to the eX- act facts of these Jefferson cases Tn another card in this paper my attorney. MT Peevy, gives the circumstances touch- ing same of which 1 personally am not informed. It can easily be understood that during the strike there were nun dreds of cases arising and that as my time being mainly addressed toward d. recting the men in the field, did not follow any cases. So it can readily De seen that the solicitors criticism that failed to inform him to appear and prose cute the cases would seem to be unjust, for 1t is no more incumbent under the law for me to notify him or furnish the names of witnesses, than it is that he shall be present The law requires neither duty The witnesses names are usually placed on the warrants, and as mat ter of fact are diligently inquired for, as was the instance in the Jefferson cases as shown in MT. Peevey's card. Furthermore, without any intention Of controversy where the solicitor speaks of the custom of the sheriff notifying him as to preliminary hearings before Justices. I do not remember that l have ever advised or requested the solicitor to be present at preliminary hearing before a justice of the peace since have been sheriff. If l am informed correctly the judge usually does notify the solici- tor. and in this case would have done so but for the misunderstanding else where explained.
 Large Number of Deputies.
 "As to the question of the large number of deputies that had on duty during the strike and the remuneration l received therefrom, am glad that this question has been raised, since it gives me op- portunity to say that I did have large force of deputies on duty during the strike; some put on at my own expense, the balance by request of the different mining corporations. These deputies were used to protect the property of the cor porations, and I charged these compa- nes the same price for these men that every other sheriff before me has charged for the same service. If the sheriffs who have preceded me were entitled to this money, felt that l was. 1 gave t.~ same service and took the same com pensation, and, like the former sherifs. expect to make what l can as sherin legitimately.
 ITO bring all law-breakers to justice IS the duty and aim of the officers or this county. To apprehend them is the duty of all. but more especially that of the sheriff. This I have been attempting 10 do, in harmony with all the departments of Justice, and In this purpose shall continue, hoping that there will arise no