Oxford eagle., 1913-12-11
SENATOR LEE N.
RUSSELL ExONERATED

Inc most intense excitement
has prevailed here ever since the
Federal court has been in session
owing to the fact that he disbar-
inent proceedings brought about
by James Stone, C. E. Slough,
W. a. Temple, Edgar Webster,
j. S. Rhodes, L. C. Andrews and
Percy shinault against Senator
Lee N. Russell charging him with
unprofessional conduct. would
come on for trial, These law
yers filed charges at the juno
term of this court but the case
was postponed and the first day
of the term the defendant was
ready AMI demanding trial, the
court set the trial for the second
Tuesday and on that day the trial
was had. The prosecutors had
hled their written charges but
felt they were in grave danger
and so summoned a large array
of witnesses whom they supposed
would give damaging testimony
OF other matters than those charg-
ed, some of these matters going
back for about ten years. Sens-
tor Russell did not summon a
single witness; he was ready and |
anxious for trial; he had as his
counsel some of the most brilliant
members of the Mississippi bar
and his leading counsel were
Hon. Wm. II. Watkins and ex-
Assistant Attorney General Geo
Butler both of jackson, these two
gentlemen conducted the defense
while Judge l. T. BIount of Water
Valley was present and counselor
in the case and many other mem
bers of the bar were also OF coun- /:
sel in the case. These prosecu-
tors opened up their case having
as sh.ir counsel Hon. r. II.
Thompson of jackson. These
men had full sway: all the facts
fully gone into; no technical OBJ
jections were offered oy the de- +
tense but allowed the prosecu-
ton to 60 fully into every detail
Of the matter but the prosecution /
Jailed most miserabIy. 10 many
Instances their witnesses crossed I
themselves up 50 much from
their testimony before the com
nittee that it was pitiful to be-
hold. The court was very pa
'ient and allowed every opportun-
ity for the pros ecui9n to bring
forward every point. After they
had closed there was No use for
the defendant to say anything:
however, he desired to explain
tue whole matter TO the court and
hence went on the stand and in
clear and convincing manner
shattered every accusation Of his
enemies aad put them TO utter
Ioute and confusion.
Judge Niles then in his eharae-
teristic way most enpha,ically
exonerated Senator Russell and
'dimissed the groundless and
naheiously designed charges
and you ought u have seen his
enemies, the prosecutors; they
cliied away into the dark a.
quiet as the visitation OF death
the last heard of them was {
secret caucus" conference ou
in the dark. A crowded cour
house most heartily congratu'
lated the brilliant young senator
and the scene was one long to b,
remembered. The looks of thes,
prosecutors was one never to b,
forgotten, it was a pitiabie look.
ing crowd. We have had consid.
cradle TO say critieising them
every word said was warranted
our predictions have fully com,
true; worthy, clean and hon.
orable man has come fortn un.
scathed from bitter and unjust
persecution.
There is no need for an,
further funeral Grafton over thes,
deceased persecutors-their rae,
fs run; their unfair and uncalleC
for charges have been ruthIessl,
flung upon their heads, there lie
them rest; time cannot effacr
this blot upon their career
May thus perish always ever,
such attempt to blacken and ruiz
the fair name and hopes of ou
splendid manhood.
The following were some Of tn,
visiting attorneys at the Tecen
session nf the Federal court
Judge l. T. Blount and Waite
Blount of Water Valley. Judge C
Lee Crum OF New Albany, Hon
Thos. Pegram Of Ripley, Hons
j. c. Bryson and John Brun.a