Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-01-22
PRObERS REFUSE
SPEER RIGHT
To TESTIFY
Continued or. Page I.

Judge Speer to offer evidence in
support of his charactr lie cannot
make his defense here and now"
"Broiling Only Oh One Side"
you are broiling only on one side,
then" rejoined Mr. Howard
He will not be permitted to make
his defense here" the Chairman saia,
humping his desk.
I'VE have already extended you
more courtesy than Is shown in
such Investigations We have allowed
you TO cross examine witnesses ex-
haustively, and you have no right 10
de- that at all. This is a grand jury
proceeding, or its equi alent and in
grand juries the accused Is not al
lowed'to enter"
Ruling Bars Speer.
Mr.. Howard insisted on his point.
He said that II the r sthod Of inves-
tlgating charges against Judge Speer
was unfair to the judge-and he be
lieved the method now being pursued
was unfair-it was time TO reform.
And we want the reform to begin
here" he shouted.
I'VE will not undertake any such
reform" Mr.. Webb answered
Judge Speer and his counsel had
planned that he should make an elab-
crate statement In his own defense,
reviewing the evidence, and for that
matter taking up his entire personal
and judicial career his gift Of elo-
quenCe being calculated to be of adj
vantage in the presentation OF his own
case by himself. However, the atti-
tude Of the investigating COMMITTEES
as shown in the Webb Howard con-
troversy and as previously stated by
Chairman Webb in open court. will
bar him from taking the stand unless
the case reaches a hearing in Con
gress.
Aided Negro OFFceseeker.
John M. Barnes, postmaster al
Thomson, and former Marshal of the
Southern District, the next witness
after Mr. Hart, declared that Judge
Speer dragged the ermine In the
mud" He declared that Judge Speer
managed the campaign Of Judson Ly-
ons, a negro, in the latter's effort &c
become Registrar of the United States
Treasury
Mr.. Barnes swore that when he re-
monstrated with the judge about al
lowing him an excessive fee In a
bankruptcy case the Judge replied:
you thank me beautifully, but
what is there in it for the court?'
He said; "The judge packed the
Grand Jury in the Greene and Gaynol
case" And then he told how Judge
Speer picked out the jurors he want
ed to serve.
"Played to Galleries"
r. c. Ellis. Of Triton, the first wit
ness to- day, told about contempt rules
being issued for seven Triton lawyers
when there was no justification, in his
opinion, for such action. He swore
that Judge Speer played to the ga
leries, and came before the foot
lights seeking applause" He said thai
Judge Speer treated the Triton law
yers outrageously. impairing theil
professional regulations. The rules
against the lawyers were dismissed
the next day, but a formal order tc
that effect was not passed for sons
months.
w. e. simmons OF Lawrenceville
testified that he withdrew from the
practice of law In the Southern Dis
trict. dismissing more than fifty cases
at one time, because of Judge Speer's
attitude toward him. He said that
he and the Judge candidly hated each
other, the feeling starting over poll
tics mere than thirty years ago. He
said that Judge Speer treated him
unfairly and discourteously in court
so that he could not win q case
How ever" he added, Il always re-
versed him in the higher courts, and
the records will prove II"