Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-09-10
LEADING CITIZENS ASKED FOR PROBE

Aroused by this shameful state Of
affairs. as they picture IT. these lead
srs OF the county's more honorable ma
Joriry have concentrated thei- efforts
through Representatives in the grand
jury to. bring the corrupt ones to jus
tice-
A practice that began several years
ago has spread until it threatens to
become a general custom that will af-
feet the younger generations respect
for the franchise It threatens to be-
come an acceptable practice among the
born and bred citizens OF Morgan,
among the members OF the old families
whose forsfathsrs helped TO establish
tbs high traditions OF the county.
Thersfors. they have determined to stop
IA Even. The judiciary Is said 10 be
involved in the buying Of votes.
Candidates for judge of the city court
or Madison are said TO have spent their
auotstlons NAY l.. one OF them told the
grand jury that he spent only thirty
dollars and accounted for every cent
Of Il. He had no more to spend in
buying the judgeship. he said He, was
too poor. He was not nominated
SOLICITORS RACE MOST
MOST COSTLY OF ALL
The race for solicitor OF the city
court is said to have been the most
costly among the several county races
involved In this race. the loser spent
more than the victor, IL is said The
race for treasurer came next Then the
races FOR sheriff and tax collector and
tax receiver.
Starting with its own personal knowi-
edge OF affairs the grand jury FOUND
- itself I'D against a stone wall so Tar
as actual evidence was concerned In
the law Is a ,provision that exempts all
Who turn states evidence This eX-
enutfon specifically relieves all who
rive evidence as TO the violation OF the
law from prosecution on their own ac-
count
Tbe grand jury voted TO construe this
.reuutiou literally. Then IL called All
the candidates successful as wei as de-
feated before It. and told them OF lts
position. Every one Of the candidates Is
said to have availed himself OF the ex-
emption.
they are a hearty accord with its Work.
They realized the disgrace, but could not
themselves eliminate II, even though they
contributed 70 Il by buying the purehas-
able votes. Moreover. they told on each
other. II Is said, and the grand jury
Vas dIsrusted 10 ind that some OF the
candidates had not been as COM
pIetely frank as they professed 70 be
But the exemption viii stand, II Is SAID
though some OF the grand Jurors are
quoted as being reluctant to swat the
ignorant vote sellers and allow the de-
Uberate and knowing vote buyers TO 60
scot-free.
JUDGE WHO WOULD ORDINARILY
TRY SUCH CASES, ADMITS BUYING
Though the grand jury began its work
last Thursday, on this particular probe
the magnitude OF the charge has not
vet been fully realized by the whole citi-
zenry Of Morgan
As yet, Il is but matter OF wide
spread comment among them II true
bills are returned today they will stir
the county as il has not been stirred in
IT'S history. Being a misdemeanor Of
tense, true bills charging sale Of votes
would be tried ordinarily In the city
court But the judge and the solicitor
OF the city court have acknowledged
themselves involved. Therefore the prob
ability Is that the cases will be tried
in the superior court OF the Ocnuige'
circuit, with Judge James B. Park or
Is. Pottle. OF AiIledgeville, brother Of
the appellate court judge, appearing a.
prosecutor.
The prediction seems safe that IL sum
cieut evidence Is presented, convictions
are certain. The petit jury Is drawn from
among only about 40 citizens. who come
from the best element in the county.
II is these men who have given Nor
gan It's jury reputation OF enforcing th'
law against every proven violator. II
other words. the better element Is IN thu
majority. and also In power and can en-
force its viii here In Morgan.
CASES ARE VERY LIKELY TO BE
TRIED DURING PRESENT WEEK
The probability seems TO be that tn
grand Jury viii recommend that the su
perior court try the indictments. II &
does the cases win be heard this week
for court Is In session here just begin
ming the second week OF its two weeks
term
The Law. which is said to have. beer