The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1914-04-23
Frank Is Granted New Hearing.

Frank Isl Granted New Hearing.
Execution Of Leo NJ. Frank, the
young factory superintendent sentenc.
ed to be hanged for the murder OF
Mary Phagan. IA years old, was stayed
by legal action.
Two motions were filed by different
sets Of attorneys in an effort to save
the life of the defendant, who is the
central figure in a case that has caused
national comment. One asks the an
nulment of the guilty verdict on the
ground that the trial Judge erred in
allowing Frank to be absent from the
courtroom when the verdict was an
nounced. The other asks for a new
trial on the ground Of newly discov-
cred evidence.
Arguments on both motions, which
we're filed in the superior court, will
be heard by Judge Hill. This action
of the court automatically stays the
hanging Of. Frank until final action is
taken on two motions.
violation Of the United States con
stitution is claimed by counsel for the
defense in the action of Judge Roam
who presided at the trial, in allowing
Frank to be absent from the court
room when the verdict. was returned
It is believed this plea will constitute
the basis of an appeal. to the Supreme
court Of the United States, should the
state courts finally decide against a
new hearing.
The motion for the annulment Of
the verdict was filed by attorneys
who, heretofore, have not been con
nected with the defense. 1t raises the
question of the legality of waivers by
both. the defense and prosecution
which permitted the factory superin.
tendent to be absent from the court
room when the jury returned its yer.
dict.
Absence of the young defendant
from the courtroom was agreed to by
the trial judge and two Of the three
lawyers then associated with the de
tense. The third defense attorney
knew nothing of the plan, it is said.
Judge Roam, presiding, is said to
have suggested the absence and the
attorneys agreed, fearing violence to
Frank in the event that verdict Of
acauittal was returned and the de
PENDANT was in court The defense
attorneys were also absent.
Augusta Gets New Train Service.
The railroad commission has grant.
ed the Georgia railroad the right to
revise its schedule SO as to improve
the service between Atlanta and Au
gusta, and to take off six trains max
ing stops at small stations.
Under the terms of the new order
four fast trains will be daily oper-
ated between Atlanta and Augusta
These trains will be an hour and fifty
minutes faster than the train now
operated
The trains in question will be Nos
g. A. 10 and 20. Nos. 3 and now
stop at several small stations In fu
ture most of these stops will be cui
out. Nos. 10 and 20 are new trains
Trains Nos. and 10 between At
Ianta and Covington and trains Nos
% and 26, between Atlanta and Litho
MIA, and trains Nos. SO and 81, between
Buckhead and Union Point. are to be
discontinued by the terms of the or
der.
The Interpretation Of the law, made
in the motion to set aside the verdict
holds the defense counsel had nc
right to agree to Franks absence al
the rendition Of the verdict.
Not Enough Money for Soldiers Home
1--WE are rapidly coming to situa
ton at the. Soldiers Home where we
must refuse entrance to applicants
unless the general assembly comes
to our rescure this summer" said Col
Charles E. MeGregor of Warrenton
Colonel McGregor is member Of thf
board Of trustees, therefore speaks
authoritatively.
I'VE are hard run now to make ends
meet, and truth is. that if it was not
for the big-heartedness Of Atlanta PEG
pie, we would run short Of actual nee
essaries now.
@The old boys are growing feeble
and useless mighty fast now, so they
come to US with pitiful appeals to be
admitted to the home, where they can
spend their last days in peace, and
properly cared for. Our hospital is
now crowded to its utmost capacity
and several who should be there must
be cared for in the main building