Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-07-16

The statement read by Reconnaissance
McLendon before the joint legislative
committee Monday afternoon is as fol-
lows:
To the General Assembly OF Georgia.
Through its Joint COMMITTEES:
Exercising my constitutional right OIL
petition, a right secured and sacred 10 al
neutrality-suspicious. people since the bill OF
rights in 1859 declared THAT It is the right
of the subjects to petition the King
come now and present thi smy petition 10
the general assembly of Georgia IN an
obedience and with every assurance OF
confidence and respect. but at the same
time reserving all and renouncing none OF
my rights in the premises, and show unto
you: =,
First. that the order of suspension Is
sued by the governor is null and void and
for many reasons to be hereafter pre-
senteds -
Second. that the constitution of Georgia
declares that the paramount duty or gov
eminent is the protection OF life and prop
erty and that such protection shall be am
pie and complete. and further that all
persons charged with an offense agamsl
the law shall have speedy and Impartial
trial
Third. that while not so prepared al
the first meeting of this committee, am
now prepared and stand ready and offer
to prove and demand the right and OPP
portunity in such manner and form as
the general assembly may prescribe, to
prove the following facts, namely:
That a member of the general assembly,
ana one of the jurors in matter now
under investigation, is disqualified to cast
any vote I'm any matter wherein Governor
IA 49, ID q
or conflicting interests in any matter, by
reason of the relations established and
existing between said member and Gov
ernor Smith, as shown by the following
facts:
I respectfully petition that 1 may be
permitted to show that on September "a
1907, the governor paid to said member OF
the legislature, he being then and there
a member of the general assembly and be-
ing now member of the general as
sembly, the sum of $3.50 out of the public
treasury.
That on March q, 1908, the governor
paid to said member the further sum OF
$3.50 out of the public treasury.
That on April g. 1908, the governor paid
to said member the further sum of s25C
out of the public treasury.
That on December 5. 1908, the governor
paid TO said member the further sum OF
S2s5. the same being paid out of the pub
tic treasury.
That on January rs. 1909, the governor
entered into a contract with said member
whereunder and whereby certain suits
were to be institute, and which have since
been institute, as I am informed and be-
lieve, for the sum of $500. 900, under which
contract said member and his law firm
are to receive the sum Of 20 per cent
which emolument, in the event of the re-
covery of the full amount sued for, would
yield to said memoer and his firm the
sum Of $4,000. or other large sum as fees,
and that In said contract 1t is provided
that the state shall pay all the expenses
OF the proceedings so instituted under
said contract.
That on June Is. 1909. one day after the
issuance of the order of suspension, and
one day before the expiration Of the term
of Governor Smith, he. the said governor
paid TO the said member of the general
assembly the further sum of $3.50 aud en-
tered upon the executive minutes an or