Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-04-19
WILL IND|CT WATSON,
SAYS HARVIE JORDAN
Former Editor of Cotton Jour-
nal Says He Will Go
to Grand Jury

Harvie Jordan, former editor of the
Cotton Journal, announces definitely his
intention of appearing at once before
Fulton county's grand jury and charg-
ing Thomas E. Datson, editor of the
Jefrersonian, with libel.
II mean to press the charges against
Mr.. Watson without delay" said Mr.
Jordan Monday. so, as the grand jury
meets again Thursday, it is probable
that Mr.. Jordan's charges will be pre-
scented to it then.
In a recent issue of the Weekly Jefser-
sonian Mr.. Watson made charges against
Jordan in connection with the Cotton
Journal and the Southern Cotton assoc
citation. In letter dated Atlanta, April
18th, Jordan responded by a vigorous
denial of everything said by Watson re-
fiecting upoS him, and said he proposed
, to present Watson.s ''slanderous accu-
stations to the Fulton county grand jury
and make him prove his charges or
stand convicted as a common liar and
slanderer."
JORDAN'S REPLY.
Mr.. Jordan's reply to Mr.. Watson's
editorial follows:
Editor Journal: In your issue of the
18th inst, an article appeared from Mr.
Thomas E. Watson, in his controversy
with Hon. w. NJ. Howard, in which
Watson took occasion to so out of the
way to execute one of his pyrotechnical
ISLANDERS against me.
care nothing for Watson or his per-
sonal opinions.
He has been charged with manufactur-
ing falsehoods so often within the past
few months that it appears useless TO
apply that epithet to any of his state
mems.
So far as the public is concerned,
wish to say that 1 did not organize the
Ccttdn Journal Publishing company
which appears to give Watson SO mucn
concern.
l did not own the company or III any
wise control it's affairs, nor was 1t in any
sense my paper.
Tom Watson is the only man 1 ever
heard of who runs pape< TO person.
ally exploit himself.
1 took stock in the company some
time after it was organized ana my ser
vices were employed by the board OF
directors for the specific purpose OF TAX
ing charge of, and conducting the edito-
rial department of the Cotton Journal
l served in the capacity of editor OF
the Cotton Journal for two years with
out any compensation, and resigned
April Z, 1909.
CHEATHAM IN CHARGE.
The business management of the com
pnny was under thedirect charge of Mr..
Richard Cheatham and a board of l?
directors, who owned nearly two-thirds
pany was under the direct charge of Mr..
Cheatham being the largest StockholGer.
/ can in no wise be held responsible
fer the management of the company
when 1 never handled a single dollar of
the funds of the company, or In any
wise conducted it's business affairs.
When I resigned the assets of the
company were reported 10 be largely in
excess of the liabilities.
Watson came into the affairs of the
company about 80 days after 1 had re-
tired, and for about eight months there
afterthe Cotton Journal continued it's
publication and also the publication of
Mr.. Watsons two papers. Just how the
directors and stockholders of the COM
pany will handle the present situation.
1 am not advised.
1 am quite willing TO stand for every
act Of mine during my entire life.
~ MUST PROVE CHARGES.
W
hand his libelous accusations contained
in a recent publication of his Weekly
Jeffersonian to the grand Jury of Fulton
county, and let him pieEenr proofs TO
the courts to substantiate his charges
or stand convicted of being a common
liar and slanderer.
Regarding the Southern Cotton assoc
citation, l wish to say, that the organiza-
ton is still intact in every state in the
SOUTH and that If the same conditions
again arise which gave rise to its BIRTH
the organization with it's full power and
influence will again be quickly felt in
every portion of the civilized world. It's
work is still quietly going forward, al
though its methods are not shouted from
the hill tops. 81
In conclusion, Watson states that he
was suspicious of me. That is not sur
prising when the virtue of Christian wo-
manhood has not escaped the venom of
his slanderous pen and evil mind. -...
HARVIE JORDAN.
Atlanta. Ga, April 16.