The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-26
POLITICS FIGURING IN THE M'REE CASE Examination of Talesmen
 Is Continued THE DEFENSE SCORES Judge Peavy Orders Night Sessions of Court in Order to Expedite
 Matters-Oyerrules Both
 Motions

Opelousas. La, October 25-The examl- nation of talesmen to serve on the jury that Is to pass on the guilt or innocence of Mrs. Zee Runge Mckee for the alleged murder of Allan Garland was resumed late this afternoon following hard fought but futile effort of the prosecu- tion to have the special panel of tales-
 men summoned yesterday dismissed be- cause of alleged bias in their selection. In order to expedite the trial night session of the court was held. Politics and Masonry were injected into the pro-
 ceedings and during the heated arguments
 of opposing counsel the charge of bias fin the selection of talesmen was hurled
 back at the prosecution by Judge Hunter of counsel for the defense in counter
 charge involving an alleged plan to se- cure talesmen favorable to the Garlands. Verbal clashes between counsel were frequent and at times presaged more se-
 rious consequences.
 Judge Peavy after hearing testimony and arguments on the states motion 10 dismiss the special panel decided hat
 the charge that Sheriff Swords had acted improperly in taking Pickens Butler, an alleged partisan of the defense, with him on his trtp to summon talesmen had not been sustained.
 The motion was overruled AlVost in- mediately Acting District Attorney Du- buisson offered another motion to dismiss
 the extra panel on the ground that Sher- If swords had not substantially compiled with the courts order by reason of his failure to secure less than half of the 15O men ordered summoned.
 Judge Peavy overruled this motion. Court then oyerruled the motion of the defense filed yesterday that District Att tornev R. Lee Garland, who previously had been excused because of his rela- ton to the deceased, be barred from active participation in the trial. Judge Peavy held that MT. Garland could not direct the prosecution, but could assist the prosecution 'as a private lawyer
 It was in the examination of witnesses on the motion to dismiss the special panel that politics and Masonry were injected into the case. The prosecuting attorney showed plainly by questions asked that they consider these matters as playing an important part in the case. If was developed that Sheriff Swords and the Garands are political enemies, and that Pickens Butler and Mrs. McItee
 are members of the Masonic order In opposing the motions of the prose cution to dismiss the special panel, Judge Hunter for the defense said the charges against the sheriff's actions were inspired bv the desire of attorneys for the prose- cutiop to have the jury rehabilitated. The special panel which the court refused to discharge instead of being drawn by the jury commissioners was selected on a special court order, which directed that the sheriff go into the highways and byWays, and summon for jury serv- ice any qualified citizen he might en- counter.
 During the examination of Sherifr swords he asked the court to allow him to explain why he had frequently taken the prisoner out for Ian air ing' since her arrest. q kuew that feeling ran high,' hc said, ',and I was careful to get per mission from the court. When we went to her home to get some clothes I was
 constantly with her."
 sidney McI.aurin. brother of the late Tinted Senator McLaurin of Missis-
 sippi. has been employed to be as- sociate counsel for Mrs. Mckee and took his seat beside the seven emi nent counsel who already have been engaged in the trial.
 New Orleans, October 25.--G Gar | land brother of Allan Garland, and chief deputy under Sheriff Swords stated this afternoon that he had re-
 signed.
 the Associated Press:
 T secured positive evidence that the sheriff had placed a man on the jury