The weekly herald. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 1906-19??, 1908-04-30
JUDGE WILLIAM
POINDEXTER
DEFENDS BAILEY

Cleburne, Texas. April 1i.-(spe-
ial.)--Judge william Polndexter at
torney for the state in the legisla-
tive investigation OF senator Bailey
last year, tonight delivered the fol-
lowing eloquent defense OF the sena-
tor.
Ladies and Gentlemen; One OF
tho tcnels OF the religion of my faith
er, who lived and died in this coun-
try. was to tell the truth and to pay
HIS debts, and this he constantly en-
Joined upon his children. In my
struggles TO heed his admonitions 1
grew to manhood in the belief that
no man could be honorable and re-
fuse 10 pay his Just debts when he
was able to do so. Though my path
has been rugged at times, | have
never knowingly violated the In
junction or repudiated the admon-
iilon. and my early training and be-
lief has rlpened into the conviction
chat the highest evidence OF mans
integrity IS manifest by his dispo-
eitlon 10 pay his debts and TO speak
he truth. saa
In The memorable campaign be-
tween Senator Chiffon and Mr..
Bailey for the position, OF United
states senator in 1900, reports be-
came current that Mr.. Bailey would
not pay his just debts. was I'm
rlIned to believe these reports and
though ! regarded Mr. Bailey as the
best equipped and qualified man
for the position, dld not believe
that n man who was able TO pay his
debts and would not was not fit to
occupy the high office OF U. $. sem
ator and so I made up my mind to
support Senator Chiffon. but upon in
qulry found these reports we're un-
true ] was convinced that Mt,
Bailey in his efforts to pay his debts
had done more than most men would
have done under the same circum-
stances He not only surrendered
his library, which was exempt from
forced sale, 20 his creditors 70 pay
his debts, but he also gave mp his
homestead. which was likewise ex-
cmpt from forced sale, and moved
his family into humble cottage. /
know that no dishonest man would
give up all OF his earthly possessions
except his wife and children 10 pay
his debts, and therefore supported
and voted for Mr.. Bailey for United
states senator in that contest.
When. the state Democratic CON
vontlon met in Waco In August 1900,
m open attack was made upon At
orney General Smith and Mr.. Hardy,
secretary OF state, for granting a
permit to the waters Pierce oil conf
pany as then reorganized. TO do bust
ness IN the state OF Texas. Senator
Bailey threw himself IN the breach
md assumed all responsibility for
he readmission OF the company. II
u claimed by those who heard him
that Senator Bailey In speech be-
lore the convention called upon the
convention to hold him and not At
lorney General Hardy responsible for
The readmIsslon OF the Waters Pierce
Oil company into Texas
First Investigation.
i was a delegate to that conven-
lion, but on account of sickness in
my family did not attend and
hence took no part IN that contro-
versy. But from distance / saw
with certainty that Mr.. Bailey's en-
smies would accept his gage OF baltic
and hold him directly responsible
as the active agent In the readmis-
sion OF the Waters Pierce OIL com
pany SO when the legislature CON
yened in Austin IN January, 1901,
charges were preferred against Mr..
Bailey, then congressman; r. S.
smith attorney general, and ID. II,
Hardy, secretary OF state, alleging in
substance that Mr.. Bailey was the
active agent in procuring, and I. s.
Smith, attorney general, and d. II.
Hardy secretary OF state, the passive
agents in issuing the permit and in
securing the readmission Of the Wa
ters Pierce OH company into the
state OF Texas. Investigations fol-
lowed. The evidence was heard and
all the parties exonerated. and Mr.
Bailey was elected to represent Texas
in the United states senate. was
mot IN Austin during this inyestlga-
tion and took no part in the contro-
versy.
During the years intervening be-
tween January. 1901 and the spring
Of 1905. the fact Of the services Mr..
Bailey had rendered 10 u n. Kirby