The Hattiesburg news., 1913-10-29

Clarke charges. He took up each item
and made his comments on each in
order, AS to Judge Johnson "boasting
about controlling the court and every
body connected with it," he said he
knew nothing about that. He had new
er heard any such boast by Judge
Johnson. AS to the charge of compli-
menting iuries for patriotic helpful
ness to the court when juries decided
as the court wants them and the de-
nunciation of juries whose verdict dis
pleases the court" he said he knew
nothing of that. He had heard Judge
Johnson commend juries for patriotic
service, but does not remember ever
hearing him denounce jury. On the
charge of mistreatment of four jurors,
he knew nothing. He knew nothing of
the charge that the Judge had with an
oath said that a certain case could not
be appealed.
The Williams Case.
The charge against Judge Johnson's S
conduct in the c. S. Williams trial
being considered, Judge Deavours went
into lengthy explanation of the case
saying that he was one of the defend
ants attorneys. AS the case is on ap.
peal to the Supreme Court, the wit
ness felt delicacy in saying much
about Judge Johnson's rulings in that
case, which he hopes to have reversed
The spectators were greatly amused
when the witness told of the parts the
three attorneys for the defense were
to play. 1t was the duty of one of them,
witness said, to say 1--WE object" to
everything the state undertook to in
troduce; and, witness added, this par
ticular lawyer-Judge Bullard-per-
formed the task assigned him with
fidelity to the interest of his client"
Judge Devours further explained
that Mr.. Clarke, who filed the
charges now before the COM
mittee, is a brother-in-law of Will
liams, and that he had taken deep in
terest in the trial of Williams, and ma
turally felt resentful of any act of
Johnson's which he believed to be un-
just to his relative. He was quite sure
that resentment was much stronger
with Mr.. Clarke than it was with any
of the attorneys for Williams, who
recognized in Judge Johnsons conduct
in the case the desire of a Judge to
see that the forms of law and juris-
prudence be observed.
The Hammond Case.
Judge Deavours also explained fully
the contempt proceedings in the A. A.
Hammond case. He saw nothing wrong
in the Judges action in that case. AS
to the other charges the witness knew
personally, only from what he
learned from others.
When Judge Deavours said that it
was his opinion that no reputable law
yer in the district would subscribe to
The statement that there was any cul-
,ability in the matters charged, of
which he had given testimony, the au-
Hence broke into applause. When |
Lsked by Chairman Anderson If he |
would endorse Judge Johnson for re-
ppointment, Judge Johnson asked |
hat the question be not answered. AZ
e was not an applicant for reappoint-
lent and the witness knew that fact.
Following Judge Deavours there
ere thirty-one other witnesses called
the following order: S. Freeman,
'unty attorney of Jones; B. F. Carter,
wyer of Laurel; w. ]. Pack. lawyer
Ellisville; G. 8. Street, lawyer OF
lurel; Judge N. C. Hill, of this city; /
w. D. G. Gates, of Laurel; J. W. Il
allace, of Laurel; Edgar G. Harris, s
itor of the Laurel Argus; e. c
Rose. A. L. 7. Watkins {