The enterprise-recorder., 1912-05-24
'Statement Proves Wilful
7 Misrepresentation by L'Engle.


false. never bribed anyone anywhere, under
amy circumstances. Mr.. Enge undertook to
sustain this charge by quoting only part of
my testimony from Georgia newspaper which
mlsqUoted me and drew his own differences and
rnade this charge. The facts are these: In
1913 Was member of the firm of Handy e.
Ioomey. When the Georgia Legislature au-
thonzed the lease of the labor Of Georpia's able
bodied male felony convictS our firm submitted
BIZ for 500 men, and we were awarded the
contract Tor the labor of these men for a term
OF i've years. In 1904 personally leased from
my Tlrm 100 men, with the knowledge and ap-
Droval Of the Prison Commission Of Georgia
SecHred the appointment of Capt. A. L. ConyerS
TO act az the the States representative and as
ray superintendent of the plant where these
men were employed upon a contract to pay him
$4,000 month"; $4,000 of which was to pay.
This arrangement continued for a term of three
years. Upon the inspection made by the State
authorities this camp stood at the very head of
the list. There was never a criticism from the
prison authorities in reference to this camp.
Captain Conyers was one of the most eXper-
FENCED and capable wardens in the State. He
left my service and later became associated with
the Upchurch Lumber Company. in Florida. at
q salary Of $3.50 90 per month.
Some years after ! sold my entire interest
IN this manufacturing plant and in that con
tract with the State for convict labor the Geor-
gia Legislature, through committee and at the
lnstlgation of a sensational paper in Atlanta,
began an investigation of the alleged irregular
lties said to have occurred in certain camps in
the State. No charge was ever made of any ir-
regularity or improperly in any of my business
or OF my partners business, and when this in
vestigation was in progress was living in Flor
ida. The Prison Commission were being attack
ed by this Atlanta newspaper and on that Com.
mission were three distinguished Georgians, one
OF whom was the late General ClementA Evans,
cornmander-in-chief of the Confederate Veter-
ans. knew that the Irregularities complained
OF were due solely to the fact that the Legisla-
ture had provided inadequate compensation for
the wardenS, charged as they were with great
responsibilities Feeling that the Legislature
itself was responsible for the irregularities and
abuse which the investigation disclosed and
that the attack being made upon General Evans
and his associates on the Prison Commission was
q great injustice and having served in the Leg
stature with some of the members of the com.
rnittee went voluntarily to Atlanta, at my own
expense, asked leave to be heard before the
committee, and stated then, as state now, that
the Legislature itself was responsible for the
conditions complained about. The facts are
that soon after gave this testimony the inves-
Ilgation ended.
Mr. L'Engle has made numerous other char
ges, some of which are merely his conclusions,
and not even statements Of facts. He has
charged me in this campaign with being very
derstand him, but sincerely hope that the pub
lie does. and may be able to pass upon our can
didacieS without injustice to either of US. He
has made other charges against me which are
unworthy of consideration or reply, and the fal-
sity Of which is within the knowledge of too
many people to require an answer
w M TONED