The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1910-07-28
Judge Watkins Makes Reply.

In the Shreveport Times of the 23d
Judge Watkins has added another chapter
to the controversy between himself on one
side and Judge A. j. Murff, candidate
for Judge Watkins seat in Congress, and
Attorney J. D. Wilkinson on the other
side, by making contribution to that
paper which answers in full the charges
made against him by Mr.. Wilkinson. His
statement follows:
l have just returned from New Orleans, where
was appointed to go on sad mission.
avail myself of the first opportunity to reply to
the article published in your issue OF the 10Th in
slant by Hon. ]. D. Wilkinson. 1t states that
mentioned him in terms not complimentary in con-
nection with the railroad pass upon whice Judge
Murf rode to New York. This is a mistake. II
have had joint discussions with Mr.. Murff in four
parishes of this district this month"; and have pur-
posely avoided mentioning the name of Mr.. Will
kinson. When have answered the charge made
by Judge Murf that favored the Interests"
have replied by stating that the charge was not
true and came in bad grace from a man who ac-
cepted favors from corporations whose interests
concted with his official duties, and cited the free
ride which he took to New York, which was in
violation of the laws of the United States as well
as the fact that this was not the first time he had
accepted favors from a corporation while he was a
public official. Judge Murff is the one who replied
by placing the blame on Mr.. Wilkinson; stating
that he procured the pass and used it for him. with
out his knowledge. Whether he accepted the favor
directly from the railroad company, or from the
attorney for the railroad is not material. The fact
that railroad line running into Shreveport ex-
tended the courtesy is conceded. Whether he rode
on it in Louisiana not, is not material, as it is
violation of the National law for public official to
ride on railroad pass from one State to another
State.
Mr.. Wilkinson states that if did not know that
Judge Murff rode on pass without knowing that
he was doing SO, could have found out by exam
lining the records of the Interstate Commerce Com
mission. l did not do so because did not know in
time before l left Washington that Judge Murf
was going to write me up in the newspapers of the
district favoring the 'interests." If they had
called upon the representative from this district to
help them out of the trouble, as is usual in such
cases, would have known the facts. The senator
who was appealed to declined to give me any in
formation, claiming that it was confidential;
although applied to him for it just as soon as
saw that it was necessary for me to use it. He
acted properly in not betraying confidence on so
private matter.
ANSWERS STATEMENTS.
The other statements OF Mr.. Wilkinson are
gratuitous and trivial:
First. He states that circular letter that /
sent out was written on Government paper.
bought it from Mr.. R. E. Fleharty, stationery
room, House of Representatives, and paid him $244
for stationery, at the time stating to him that
it was for the purpose for which it was used.
have some OF it left, which may use later.
Second. He tries to convey the idea that the
pictures which l sent out were taken at Govern
ment expense. paid Mr.. w. S. Wickham, House
office building, Washington, for them. The only
pictures the Government has taken free of charge
is of those who violate the law.
Third. He criticizes me for sending out speeches
to my constituents. / paid Mr.. W.. A. Smith,
Corridor Of Capitol, House of Representatives, for
the printing of every speech that was sent out,
although the work was done at the Government
Printing Office hired extra help to get out the
speeches, bulletins, circular letters and other pub
lie literature which sent out, and employed from
two to six persons to do the work; at my own ex-
pense. The law permits members of Congress to
send such public literature out free of postage.
paid $16O for the stamps on the circular letters.
Fourth. He states that made trip last year
on a Government boat | did not. It was on
steamer belonging to the Pacific Mail Steamship
Company; my passage was paid for, and my trip
did not cost the Government one cent; nor was any
law violated in my making the trip. cite you to
Mr.. George b. Mcclellan, Honolulu, who knows
the facts as state them. The people of the
Hawaiian Islands invited severed members of Con-
gress to go over there tour of inspection, and
we went to inform ourselves of the conditions
to be better able to pass upon the questions which
might be presented to us relating to the islands.
do not suppose the trip to New York was for the
purpose Of better enabling the Judge to understand
the law and evidence in cases coming before him.
If such thing were possible, it was cheaper than
appealing from erroneous decisions, as he states he
had to do.
Fifth. He states that defended man charged
with murder and that he was acquitted on the plea
of insanity. The presiding Judge, the sheriff Of
the parish, physicians from Shreveport and Minden,
were called as witnesses to show the mental condi-
ton of the accused and after hearing the evidence
he was acquitted by a jury.
Sixth. He concluded by stating that he has had
four corporation cases before Judge Murf and that
| he had decided two in his favor and two against
| him; and that one of these two which he decided
against him was reversed on appeal. Itseems from
that at the inoe is not onlv innocent nf tho fac