Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-01-23
EX- MARSHAL
Of COURT
ACC(JSER
John N. Barnes Testihes He Was
Fired Because He 'Cussed
Judge Out

MACON, Jan. 22-That Judge
speer packed the Grand Jury which
indicted Greene and Gaynor at sa-
vannah, putting two men on it who
were wanted to answer in his court
for criminal offenses, was charged
before the Speer investigating COM
mittee to-day by former United States
Marshal John NJ. Barnes, who is now
postmaster at Thomson.
Barnes swore that Judge Speer Sc
cured his removal from office because
he (Barnes) "cussed Speer out"
Barnes also swore that Judge Speer
solicited a share of the handsome fees
which he had been allowed as custo-
dian in bankruptcy cases.
Cross examination failed to shake
the testimony of Captain Barnes or
to develop anything new. w. H.
Burwell was the next witness. He
told about having to 80 to North
Carolina to argue a case before Judge
Speer. Court would meet at IL and
adjourn at 2. small case taking ten
days to try, he said.
Harry Stilwell Edwards, former
Macon postmaster has been sum-
moned as q witness.
Judge Speer's wife and daughter are
now in constant attendance upon the
hearings, sitting beside the accused
1urist, who plainly shows the effect of
the strain upon him.
The committee resumed its hearing
at . o'clock this afternoon. follow
irg the luncheon adjournment.
Tilt With Prober.
\ lively tilt between Chairman
Webb, of the investigating commit
tee, and former Congressman How
ard, Of counsel for Judge Speer, in
which the chairman emphatically
stated that Judge Speer would not be
permitted to offer defense before
the committee to the charges against
him, took place to-day. The clash
came when Mr.. Howard undertook to
cross examine Jesse B. Hart, presi-
dent of the Macon National Bank,
along lines that Chairman Webb de-
clared the rules governing the inquiry
would not permit. Mr.. Hart had tes-
titled that he had employed A. H.
Hayward. Judge Speer's son-in-law,
in having his bank designated as a
Government depository, the fee be-
ing $50.
Mr. Howard asked Mr.. Hart to
state his opinion of Mr.. Heyward's
character.
Absolutely first class" said Mr..
Hart.
Strike that question and answer
from the record" Immediately or
dered Chairman Webb.
Then a colloquy, between Attorney
Howard and Chairman Webb en-
sued. The former insisted that the
cAairman's questions had reflected
On Mr.. Hayward
Denied Right to Question.
Mr.. Heyward's character has not
been attacked and is not in issue.
II IS charged solely that he is one
OF Judge Speer's favorites-that's
all The public understands, it is
claimed, that Judge Speer can be
reached through him. 1 won't allow
The line of questioning you propose"
said Mr.. Webb.
Mr.. Howard argued at length, and
vigorously.
Don't kill time on such collateral
ISSUES, advised Chairman Webb.
Where the killing of character Is
eoncerned, the killing of time Is not
oil any moment" declared Mr.. How
ard
After Chairman Webb had ordered
'Nr Hart dismissed as witness.
Mr. Howard began.
How long have you known Judge
Speer?"
Before Mr.. Hart could answer,
Nl8irman Webb declared:
Mr. Howard, this Is not the proper
pace for that kind of evidence. If
mis- case reaches the United States
senate, then 1t will be time for
Continued on Page 4, Column 4.