Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-02-18
BURWELL CHARGES
EICHELDERGER WITH
FALSEHOOD IN PAPER

ChSSiiOONl O'i'iSl OPOStNO'
CharacterizeS Part of Anti
Saloon Leaders Editorial
William H. Burwell. of Sparta, speak
er Of the Georgia house of representa-
tives and one of the prospective candi-
dates Tor governor, has written sting
ing letter 10 DIR. C. w. Blchelberger,
superintendent of the Georgia Anti-Sa-
loon league and editor of The Georgia
Commonwealth, the leagues organ.
Mr.. BurwelPs letter. which was made
public in Atlanta Wednesday is in re-
ply to front page editorial which APP
peared in last weeks issue of The Com
monwealth in which it was charged that
the night before the extraordinary ses-
sion Of the legislature adjourned lase
November Mr.. Burwell attended a secret
caucus in the Piedmont hotel, arranged
by representatives of the liquor inter-
ests, at which plans were made to de-
feat the reelection of Governor Harris,
Congressman William Schley Howard
and prohibition members of the legisla-
ture.
MR.. BURwELL'S LETTER.
Following is copy of Mr.. BurwelPs
letter:
Sparta, Ca, February IA. 1916.
Mr.. c. w. Eichelberger,
Box 1916, Atlanta, Ga.
Dear sir.--A copy of The Geor-
gia Commonwealth Of February 10,
1916, has just been handed me ana
my attention called to the article
appearing in the first column, on the
first page, headed Secret Caucus,
In this article you state: Some
liquor representatives said to have
decreed the defeat of Governor
Harris. Congressman Howard and
prohi legislators" You further
saw that this caucus was held on
Wednesday night, Noyemper 20,
1918, before th0 Adjournment OF the
extra session on the following
Thursday You further state that
I was present at this caucus.
The foregoing statement Is Vi
cious and outrageous falsehood out
of whole cloth, as 1 have attended
no caucus or meeting of either pro-
hsbitionists or anti-prohibitionists
in the Piedmont hotel, or anywhere
else. on the 18th day of last NoVem-
her. or any other time; nor have
ever heard of such meeting as you
describe
To Won have one spark Of honesty
or fairnes sin your makeup you
1viil nuoIish this letter in the same
manner you promulgated your wick
ed salSehood.
In passing, let me commend to you
the study of our Sunday scnool les-
sol. for next Sunday, which, by the
wnx Is a Temperance lesson.
This lesson deals with the final end
of Ananias and 1 would suggest
before you issue another OF your
Rroundles ISLANDERS -you remember
that already the good Lord mas
shown ex eeedingly greater mercy to
YOU than ever He did to poor old
Ananias
This letter is NOT confidential
W.--.IAM, H. BURWELL.
EDITC RIAL IN QUESTION.
TIE Commonwealth editorial to which
Mr.. Burwen takes exception was In pari
as follows:
,It was the night before the legisla-
ture adjourned its extra session, and
the night before Thanksgiving. OF TO
be more explicit, 1t was on wednesday
night, November rs, 1915.
There was a visitor in Atlanta he
had been here before. His name was
Mr.. Charlie Lewis. People Informed in
LIQUOR politics know who Mr.. Lewis is
He is the national representative OF the
liouor interests, with headquarters in
washington City. Personally, he is a.
most agreea BILE, polished gentleman. The
writer knows that from creditable hear
say, though has never had the pleasure
of meeting him. Mr.. Lewis was wont
tn go to Nashville, Tenn, during legis-
lative sittings, but he quit that baili-
wick suddenly one day.
CHARGES CAUCUS.
"He has not, however, quit Atlanta.
He was here during the 1915 legislative
meetings. Well, on the night aforesaid
Gas the lawyers say), Mr.. Lewis, so 1t
is reported gathered a small caucus
around him In room in the Piedmont
hotel; or, it may be, they just CHANGED
to meet thcre In that room without
either one knowing the other was to be
there.
"Be that as it may, the others report
ed to be present in that room on that
wednesday night before Thanksgiving
and on the night before the legislature
adjourned, were Mr.. Clayton Robson,
said to he the leading representative of
the Georgia liquor interests; Mr.. r. B
Blackburn, of Atlanta; Mr.. Rienza
Jones, of Atlanta; Mr.. - Moore, well
known around the capitol. and Mr.. w. H.
Burwell, of Sparta
MUST PUNISH HARRIS.
..Then and there it was ordered, and
decreed, that Governor Harris must be
punished for including prohibition in
his extra session Cali ne must De ue-
feated for second term. To make his
defeat more certain, If possible, 1t was
agreed that gum shoe men should be
sent by the liquor interests, over the
state quietly and unobserved and have
the prohibitionists bring out a prohibit
tion candidate against the governor. In
due time, after this new candidate should
be we'll into the race, with bridges burnt
behind him, the liquor men were to bring
cut third man, sort of 'veneered pro-
a pro at home and wet in the capital
sort of a man, candidate whom they
could control after election"