Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-01-21
SAYS JUDGE
SHOULD Be
|MPEACHED
Aged Accuser Recites Incidents
of Bankruptcy Proceedings
Against His Estate,

MACON, Jan. 21.-Judge Emory
Speer to-day heard himself described
before the House judiciary investi-
eating committee as a judge who alb
solutely disregarded the legal rights
of utigants and attorneys in order
that he might satisfy his personal
ends and crafty his friends. relatives
and business associates by bestowing
upon them choice appointments pro-
ductive of large f-os.
PIE judge heard himself sailed "a
rascal" and pictured as jurist who
was arbitrary unfair, violently par
t!san, oppressive and despotic and
who was regarded by the people of
his home city and district as COR
rupt
Judge Speer heard 1t charged that
he put an, estate worth 100000 in
bankruptcy, although the debts
against II amounted 10 only $4,000
and has kept it there for fifteen
years, while masters, receivers, at
torneys and other officials connected
with it, all being his personal friends,
attorneys, relatives or business asso-
cates, enjoyed fees from 1t.
This testimony was given by Col
onel w A. Huff, SO years old, ex-
mayor Of Macon, who arose from a
sick bed to go on the stand and tell
Of the injustice which he believes has
been done him and his children by
Judge Speer's acts.
Judge Speer Fatigued.
When the committee took the din
nsr recess, Judge Speer seemed quite
worn, and his attorneys had lost that
nonchalance and display of conf
dence previously manifested by them.
A host of witnesses are in attend
snce, among them some of the most
Prominent men of the State.
Speaker w. II. Burwell, of the Geor-
sia House of Representatives, and
Attorney General T. S. Fielder will go
on the stand this afternoon.
1t was Colonel Huff who seventeen
months ago wrote open letters to
Judge Speer, attacking him both as
a Judge and a private citizen, and
for which he was tried and found
guilty of contempt of court. Thus
far, however, sentence in this con-
Tempt case has never been passed.
Colonel Huffs attack was inspired by
Judge Speer's course in the bank
ruptcy proceedings that have tied up
MS $4,000 estate since 1899.
Colonel Huff began his testimony
with a detailed recital OF this cele-
Drated bankruptcy case, reiterating
many Of the charges contained in his
sensational letters of August, 1912,
Not Bankrupt, Says Huff.
Colonel Huff said that when he was
Put in the hands of a temporary re-
'eiVer without notice he owned $S4,-
V9o and owned property whose valua-
"oh on the tax books was 100000.
D. n, Talley, Judge Speer's ex-pri-
'ate secretary, he said, was named
master in his case. Talley at the time
was law partner of the judges SON
NAV The president of the bank in
''''h the money was deposited with
"'I interest he declared, was a part
"ef with Judge Speer in the gold
'''ne manufacturing business" Judge
q. .. Cobb, a special master in the
Ease was Judge Speer's private at
.orney, and Cecil Morgan, the Judges
''o'ner-in-law, and clerk OF court.
was vice president of the bank
'olonel Huff testified that the mon
" rom the sale of his property,
amounting to $4,000, stayed in the
van" Tor more than three years with
%. interest. the bank being owned
Judge Speer's partners, close
'tNas and relatives
''In your debts draw interest dur