Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-08-10

Smith of Tattnall. Smith Of Walton. sto-
vail, Tarver, Tippins Tracey. Tuggle.
Turner, Upshaw Waddell, Walters. Wat
kins. White of screven. Wight Of Grady.
Wood, Wright of Floyd, Wright of Stew
art-119
THE VOTES EXPLAINED.
Many OF McLendons defenders men
who believed him guiltless, voted, nes-
ertheless, in favor Of impeachment be-
cause, as they explained, they believed
1t was the commissioners only Remaining
chance for vindication so far as the gem
eraI assembly was concerned.
The morning session had been consun-
ed in debate, equally divided by agree
ment between the two sides. and when
the house resumed its session at p, m.
this debate was continued. Mr.. Fuilbrtght
of Burke being the first speaker. He OPP
posed suspension on the ground that Nc
Lendon's only crime" had been po-
Iitical one. He ridIculed the statement
made by Wright Of Floyd that the men
who believed McLendon unworthy 70 re-
tain office were acting in a fair-miIided
spirit and upon their honest convictions.
He said McLendon was being offered up
as sacrifice to Hoke Smiths ambition.
He quoted the ex-governor as having
once declared: 81 would walk over the
dead body of nv best friend, to accom-
plish my purpose" And now he was
trying to trample upon the pallId form
of poor old Guyt, McLendon.
ACCUSATIONS BAsELEss"
Mr.. Anderson Of DeKalb said In part:
81 perceive that the junior member
from Bibb and the gentleman from
spalding (EIlis and Boyd. who had ciiarg-
ed that a caucus had been held against
Mel endon) are not yet present In their
absence 1 win content myself with say
ing that their accusations are baseless
"If any canvass has been made, I hon.
estly declare have not heard Of II. TX
any caucus has taken place, II has been
among the men who made these charges;
II any majority has made up cut-and-
dried verdict it is the majority which Is
opposed TO the views / hold.
'sI do not believe anybody was pledged
to support the governors report In this
body. I solemnly declare my personal
faith that as this was true IN my case,
1T was equally true OF every other MEM
Der of this house. And / wish 70 adc' tnat
the first knowledge had Of McLendon's
removal from office was through the
newspapers, and that 1t surprised me pro-
foundry"
After this statement. Mr.. Alexander dis
nassionately discussed the questions re-
lating to Mr. McIsendon's guilt, partlcu-
larlv. with reference to the port rate az
fair. telling how the dismissed co1nmis-
sioner, who had been an ardent supporter
of port rates. suddenly Topped. went
back on his platform. went back on the
people of Georgia, and threw his infu-
ence against the lowering Of rates.
Mr.. Mlddlebrooks Of Newton made q
brief speech in favor Of sustaining the
ANDERSON AS DEFENSE.
Mr.. Anderson of Chatham said;
under the evidence and Law. would
you have any right to remove this com
missioner II you had not received tne
governors order? No, you would not re-
move him. you could not. Then why are
you doing II now?"
He discussed the evidence calraly, point
by point. and drew therefrom the con-
clusion that McLendon was guilty OF 40
act merfting dismissal from Office Refer
ring to the port rates he said MeIsendon
had been justified because the rates were
in the nature OF determinations for re-
auctions to benefit particular town. In
conclusion he said:
'sDo not put upon this old man Tnjust-
ily a stain that VIII never come out. .
burden from beneath which he viii never
be able to rise; don't punish, humiliate
and degrade him on these unfounded
charges made by the ex-governor.
Mr.. Hardeman repudiated the sccusa-
ton that he was making an appeal to par
tisanship and begged the house to decids
this case calmly. fairly on its evidence
IT, under the evidence. McLepdon was
guilty. he declared there was no guess
ton about the legislatures right to dis
miss him. The very statute that had
created the Office had given it's creators
the power to remove any unworthy ON
GER He quoted legal decisions and court
rulings to prove his point.
-
general debate.
Many members spoke three minutes to
explain their votes. on the three roll-callk.
but most of what was said was simply
a review of the various arguments al
ready made.