Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1914-01-25
SPEER CASE IS SHIFTED
MACON TO SAVANNAH
CONTINUED From Page ~

hrSt lnYeSugauon OF the charges
against Judge Speer. was the first
witness Saturday morning. He identi
fed a letter written him by Mr.. ?.
N. Talley. and this letter was read
into the record
In the course of that portion of his
testimony bearing on the alleged ia
voritism manifested by Judge Speer,
Mr.. Lewis read from. his report 70
the department of justice, a list Of
bankruptcy cases in which certain
individuals had been allowed fees,
their conf. ection with these cases being
usually in the capacity of receivers,
attorneys for receivers, trustees, at
torneys for trustees, custodian, attor-
neys for custodian, etc. A lengthy list
of cases in which these gentlemen
were employed was compiled from
the dockets and bankruptcy papers,
and introduced:
Mr.. Lewis called attention to the
fact that Hayward is the son-in-law
of Judge Speer: that Taller who was
until recently a partner in one Of his
firms, was for many years Judge
Speer's stenegrapher and that Isaac,
a partner in another of Hayward g
firms, is referee in bankruptcy at
Brunswick The cross examination Of
MIR. Lewis was featured by another
manifestation of feeling on the part
of Judge Speer.
The judges attorneys had asked per
mission to put into the record two
letters written him by the late ref
cree, Mr.. Proudfit, regarding the sp-
pointment of the judges son-in-law
as receiver and so forth. The COM
mittee did not think it proper,
Judge Speer Interrupts Witness.
At that moment, the judge rose, his
face indicating the intensity Of the
emotions surging within him.
Il want all Of the facts to go into
this record, ,. he declared. For %
years have Represented a district
twice as large in population AMI
wealth as the entire state of Florida,
and 1 have tried to serve it faithfully.
But have been DETAINED before the
country, and demand the right to
let the people know all the facts"
AS he spoke, his voice quivered, and
almost broke and tears welled into
his eyes.
Chairman Webb was about to re-
monstrate with the judge, when the
latter in response to the insistence OF
his counsel, sat down.
Col. HUFF told again of the suit
which was filed against him, and of
his meeting with Alexander Proudft,
who suggested that he see Mr.. VIM
berly, who brought the suit against
him, and arrange for settlement.
MIR. Wimberly told him if he would
make substantial payment on the
claim, pay him a fee of $4,000 and
the receiver a fee of $4,000, the suit
would be withdrawn.
The colonel says Wimberlys fees
amounted to more than his claims
against him, so he declined. VIM
berly afterwards agreed to cut his
fee, but he still declined.
Judge Speer, at request of Attor-
ney Proudfit, allowed the colonel SO
a week from the rents on his prop
erty, but three years later, because he
from the decision of Judge
Speer, this allowance was cut off.
Col. Huff declared that the Macon
banks paid per cent on deposits
except the American National bank.
but that the money in his case did not
draw interest while on deposit.
AS to the appointment of a perma-
nent receiver for him, he produced a
letter from Attorney Proudft, in
which the letter declared he did not
consent to the order. Col Hir de-