Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-01-22
SAYS JUDGE
SHOULD Be
|NPEACHED
AGED Accuser Recites Incidents
Of Bankruptcy Proceedings
Against His Estate.

MACON, Jan. 21.--Judge Emory
Sheer to-day heard himself described
before the House judiciary investi-
eating committee as judge who alb
solutelv disregarded the legal rights
Of ltlgants 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.
The Judge heard himself sailed "a
rascal" and pictured as jurist who
was arbitrary unfair, violently par
tisan 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 It amounted to only $4,000
and has kept 1t 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-
oiates, enjoyed fees from it.
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 Speers acts.
Judge Speer Fatigued.
When the committee took the din
ner recess, Judge Speer seemed quite
worn, and his attorneys had lost that
nonchslance and display of conf
dence previously manifested by them.
host Of witnesses are in attend
snce, among them some of the most
prominent men of the State.
Speaker W. H. Burweil, of the Geor-
ga House Of Representatives. and
Attorney General T. S. Fielder will go
on the stand this afternoon.
It was Colonel Huff who seventeen
months ago wrote open letters to
Judge Speer, attacking him both as
Judge and a private citizen, and
uvh frh !, At found
guilty Of contempt of court. Thus
lar, however, sentence in this con-
Tempt case has never been passed.
Colonel Huffs attack was inspired by
Judge Speer's course in the bank
Fuptcy proceedings that have tied up
MS $4,000 estate since 1899.
Colonel Huff began his testimony
with detailed recital of this cele-
Ua'ed 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
pu in the hands of a temporary re-
'+t4Abul HOllCS lie ONhC VIZ
WY and owned property whose valua-
Noh on the tax books was 100000.
y ~ Talley, Judge Speer's ex-pri-
'"'e secretary. he said, was named
D'oSler In his case. Talley at the time
"dS law partner of the judges SON
NAV The president of the bank In
""eA the money was deposited with
O'' interest, he declared, was a part
"er with Judge Speer in the gold
4''''e manufacturing business" Judge
a j. Cobb, a special master in the
,'Se' was Judge Speers private at
,'ney, and Cecil Morgan, the judges
"o'her-in-law, and clerk of court
'aS vice president Of the bank.
eolonel Huff testified that the mon
from the sale of his property,
mounting to $4,000, stayed in the
''''A Tor more than three years with
Wy interest. the bank being owned
Judge Speer's partners. close
"ehds and relatives.
Dld your debts draw interest dur
continued on Page 4, Column !.