Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-08-03

his because Mr.. McIendon had violated
his.
CALLS IT A CRIME.
Senator Irwin said he rose TO register
protest against what he considered one
OF the worst crimes ever perpetrated in
the state Admitting that McLendon had
violated the law. he thought the COM
missioner should be given a fair and inn
partial trial. He had had no chance to
meet the argument or to prove his In
nocence. The present proceeding, he
said. was not according to law.
Senator Jackson said he would that he
could strip the republicanism Of the SEN
ator from the Forty-flrst district. He in
vclxed the names OF Toombs and johnson
and Stephens. They would repute such
actions as the vote Of Senator Day, IL
they could return, he said.
LONGLEYS EXPLANATION.
In closing the explanation OF his vote
Senator Longley said:
IF this resolution is adopted. then be
| II known to the people Of Georgia that
s. q. McLendon, an innocent and honored
Georgian-elected by the people railroad
commisioner-has been degraded without
having violated the law. dishonored by
the senate OF Georgia, deprived OF his
office because he dared to stand by his
oath and because he differed with the
governor. II he made mistakes II is not
disputed the mistakes were honest. and
without a scintilla of evidence tending TO
show his motives were other than an
earnest purpose to be fair and just 10 the
people and fair and just to the railroads
without the right given him to plead his
cause before the men who tried him
crucifed TO satisfy partisan political
clamor-made a scapegoat TO bear away
the sins OF his enemies; while the rea-
sons given for his suspension would van
ish triens, light as air before any re-
spectacle court in the land. No senator
has claimed he violated the law or that
he was corrupt or that his character tar
nished or that he was incompetent, but
the spirit of the cry against him has
seemed to be, Let his blood be upon us
and our children
RIGHT ON THE sCAFFoLD."
He will appeal from the decision OF
this tribunal TO the honest hearted men
Of Georgia who will vindicate him as
they have indicated his predecessor. AS
sure as Justice is eternal. so sure will his
vindication come. Right today is on the
scaffoId. Wrong today is on the throne,
yet the Scaffold sways the future,
And beyond the dim unknown
standeth God beneath the shadow
4 Keeping watch above His own"
Senator Curry said the question Of SYM
patty did not enter into his mind in cast
| ing his vote He thought Mr.. McLendon
had violated the law Intentionally.
WHAT MATTHEW'S THINKS.
Senator Matthews stated he could not
think Of a more unfortunate OF more IN
i fair method OF placing a man on trial.
He was surprised that Senator Burwell
i should insist on Mr.. McLendon being
tried on charges submitted by. the gov
ernor and the additional charges brought
on in the investigation.
Mr.. Burwen rose to a question Of per-
sonal privilege. He said he had moved
to strike out the question OF bond trans
actions because he thought the senate
would lay the ground for disqualifying
Itself and giving rise to impeachment
proceedings.
SAYS HE HASN'T CHANGED.
He said he had not changed his posi-
ton I'm the least Senator Matthews, he
said. had moved that all evidence be
placed before the committee. thereby dis
qualifying the senate IL IL ever was dis
! qualified. Il am not the man who has
changed front IL any one has changed"
said Senator Burweh.
\ Senator Matthews resuming, said he was
surprised at the turn the case had taken.
Mr.. McLendon. he said, was arraigned
on one set OF charges and was being tried
on two. he said.
4 SAYS IT'S FIRST CASE.
1t was the first case on record in the
United States or England where a man
| was placed on trial on one issue and
tried on another he stated
Senator McCurry spoke against the
resolution. He asked for an extension
OF time, but It was not granted, the
senate voting Il TO s. He said he was
not surprised at the unfairness OF the
vote.
IAN EFFORT TO WHITEWASH."
| Senator Perry said there had been an
leffort to whitewash Mr.. McLendon re-
garding the Athens street railway bonds.
1.-The evidence Of Mr.. Patterson was that
Mr.. McLendon opened up the matter af-
ter the primary had been over month.
He had received a profit on the first
transaction and then attempted to make
a second profit. 1t was a gross breach
of morality. Therefore he was unfit 10
hold this high ONCE.
Senator Slater said that in explaining
IhIs vote he did not expect TO change any
votes He thought all had made up their
minds-he feared. in fact, that some had
made up their minds before hearing the
evidence. When he stated Thursday that
this was a political matter he did not
intend 70 reflect on the integrity of any
senator II was possible 10 be mistaken
honestly so. He said Mr. McLendon had
been on trial ever since the governor had
sent in his message. The case had been
discussed on all sides and conclusions had
been formed.
WHAT HE THOUGHT.
| He thought the commissioner should
have been tried by a properly organized
court God forbid that ever a man shall
be tried under such circumstances in this
state" he said.
4 Senator Womble said he thought Mr.
McLendon had had a fair and impartial
trial: he felt sorry for the commission
er, but he would not allow sentiment
to sway him. He voted yes.
When the senate adjourned II was
until IL o'clock Monday morning.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON.
The senate on what may be regarded
as strictly a test vote at the Afternoon
session Thursday refused to throw tbs
consideration Of the McLendon matter
!. out Of that body by vote of 16 to "a
The vote came up on the substitute reso
. Hutton OF Senators Slator, Calhoun. GordI
and Mathews. The substitute was to tn,
effect that Governor Smith in his sus