Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1921-05-16
JUDGE SEARCY SCORCHES
DORSEY IN NEW LETTER

GRIFFIN, May 1G,-Judge w. E.
H. Searcy, Jr., of the Flint circuit,
who last week wired Governor Dor
sey for names in the charges against
him and Epson county in the govern
or's recent pamphlet dealing with al
legged mistreatment of negroes in
Georgia, has sent the following de-
tailed reply to the governors letter
to him last week:
Griffin, Ga, Governor Hugh VI.
Dorsey, Atlanta, Ga.
Dear Sir: Replying to your letter
Of May 18th, ! beg to say, Ed White
stayed in jail in Epson county more
than ten days before his removal, at
your request, and was not harmed.
At the time of his trial, as we'll as
before and after, he was again in
Jail and remained unframed. This
disprOves ''the belief" you express
that his removal saved the life Of
this man" Moreover there has never
been lynching in Epson county
though graver crimes have been COM
mitted there. | repeat, human life,
whether negro or Causassian, is as
safe in Epson county as anywhere
on earth. The people Of the county
arc as fair, as brave, as upright as
any people.
II have demanded Of you the
names of those who accused them of
infamy and disloyalty The Consti-
tuition guarantees that the accused
be confronted by witnesses. Common
fairness demands it. Though | wired
you "a hours ago for this informa-
ton | have had no answer. The peo-
pie of Epson county have a right to
this information. In their name
and behalf, | again denounce the al
legged statements Of these undisclosed
witnesses as maliciously false. See
the Thomaston Times of this week.
Gas for the charges against the
superior court of Epson county, and
the trial had therein, reply as be-
fore, the RECORD speaks for itself
1t is on file in the clerks office OF
that court, and Of the court Of APP
peals-Within fifty steps of your Of
flee. Your "investigator" never
read it and although called to your
attention by me, you do not claim
that you have read it. 1t shows Ed
Whites guilt CONCLUSIVELY. Not
a witnesse testified in his favor, 1ol
did he make a statement denying the
charge. / am eliminating his son and
daughters, though they were includ-
ed in your statement, since they
were satisfied with their trial, none
of them even filing a motion for a
new trial, or taking any exception
thereto.
Notwithstanding twenty-three
grand jurors investigated the cases
and returned indictments. and twelve
trial jurors, after hearing the evil
dence and argument of counsel, con-
victed the accused and 'one Of the
best and most honorable judges in
Georgia according to your publish
ed reference to me) approved the
verdict-alT being sworn officers of
the state acting under oath-neither
you nor your Investigator claim to
have even inquireds of ann of them,
nor of states counsel, Hon. E. NJ,
Owen, nor the official court stenog-
rapher, nor any officer of court, as
to the evidence or proceedings IN
court, nor to have read the record,
but you and your investigator pre-
ferred to. and did go to others. (as-
suming for the argument that you
have the letters you claim to have(
none of whom were under oath, nor
claiming to have firsthand knowledge
and on their unsworn statement,