The Marietta journal and courier. (Marietta, Ga.) 1909-1918, 1916-09-01
CROWD LISTENED TO FIVE PO-
LITICAL SPEECHES TWO JOINT
DEBATES. INTEREST OF DAY
WAS CENTERED IN BOUT BE-
TWEEN CLAY AND BUTT
R0USING VICTORY FOR BUTT.
(From Milton County News.


cussions between the various candi-
dates for Judge and Solicitor General
of the Blue Ridge circuit and con-
gressmen from the ninth district.
Promptly. at 10 O'Clock the pro
gram began when Mr.. Geo 0. Hook,
master of ceremonies, introduced
Hon. Newt Morris for an address of
fifty minutes, then came Judge Pat
terson who filled his full one hour
and fifteen minutes to the apparent
satisfaction of his supporters. Then
Judge Morris reply of twenty-five
minutes. was pulled off in the Judges
usual happy style.
Next was introduced the Hon. K
b, Russell, candidate for Congress,
who was given an hour and fifteen
minutes. His opponent Hon. Thos
M. Bell having rendered his reasons
for not being present, Judge Russell
had full sway and made a very tell
ing speech
Then came the great barbecue
dinner which satisfied everybody. AT
ter one hour and a half the great
crowd assembled at the stand to hea
the candidates for Solicitor. The
opening and conclusion was settled
in favor of Mr.. Butt. He was at
once presented to the awaiting and
anxious audience. He spoke fifty
minutes outlining and discussing in
detail his platform and attacking
Mr.. Clays record He urged many
reasons why the people of the Blue
Ridge circuit should elect him Soil
citor General. He urged with much
emphasis the fact that his county,
Fannin, was entitled to recognition.
He said that Fannin county was or
ganized in 1854 and had never been
hcnored with a Judge or Solicitor
General He discussed his qualiffca-
tions, and the skillful way in which
he handled the issues showed that he
was qualified to handle any case in
the courts
He showed in convincing argu-
ment that he stands for an economi-
cal administration of the affairs of
the courts; he stands for clean ad-
ministration and an impartial en-
forcement of the laws of the land.
Turning his attention to Mr..
Clays record, Mr.. Butt charged that
1t was a common thing for Mr. Clay
to use his office to intercept and to
nullify sentences imposed by the
court on men when convicted of
crime He charged him with taking
notes from both white and colored for
fines imposed and turning criminals
loose in that way when the solemn
sentences of the court as entered
upon the minutes required the mon
ely paid or service rendered. He
charged him with taking less money
and notes for less money, than the
sentence of the court called for. He
puts himself above the courts, null
flying the sentence of the court
fixing the amount criminals should
pay regardless of the order of the
court and turning the criminals
loose said Mr.. Butt. Turning to Mr..
Clay he said, IF you are to be the
Judge having the power to fix the
amount of fines, why are the people
of the state paying Judge Patterson
to preside over our cOurts?'
Mr.. Butt said that ii was all right
for Solicitor to give away his costs
and before he would see a poor man
go to the gang because he was not
able to pay both fine and cost, he
would give him every cent of his
cost.
Mr.. Butt charged that Mr.. Clay
in his announcement when a candi-
date for Solicitor General four years
aso, declared that he was in favor OF
putting Solicitor Generals on salary.
He charged that two years ago after
a bill had passed the state senate tC
put Solicitor Generals on salary. and
while the bill was pending before the
house of representatives, Mr. Clay
met in caucus with a number Of So
licitor Generals from over the state
in Atlanta and joined them in an eff
fort to defeat the bill and the bill
was defeated. both members Of the
legislature from the county of Cobb.
Mr.. Clays own county voting against
the bill. Mr. Butt said: Mr.. Clay.
challenge you to deny that you were
in that caucus Two as good and
reputable men as there are in Geor-
gia, two of the Solicitor Generals
who were present in that meeting
told me you were there and you dare
not deny it,
Mr.. Butt reminded Mr. Clay chat
he promised the people four years
ago that he would reduce court ex-
penses in the various counties of this
circuit. Take Cobb County the court