Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1923-08-24
A COMPLETE
INVESTIGATION
is NECESSARY.

1t is not enough that a lawyer
appointed to the bench by the gov
nor, should be an able lawer and a
loyal friend, as Governor Walker
stated when he appointed Judge
Howard to the bench last week.
He must have other qualifica-
tons, The story told by Edgar
Latham, Atlanta lawyer, should be
investigated and that to the fullest.
The charges made by Mr.. Latham
are serious. They are a reflec-
ton on both the Governor and his
appointee.
The Savannah press demands
that the light be turned on in
the following editorials
The Atlanta Chamber Of Com
merce petitioned for a new judge
to relieve congestion" in Full
ton county. The House of Rep
resentatives was active in Sc
curing an additional Superior
Court officer and the judiciary
committee of the Chamber Of
Commerce comes in for a good
bouquet in the matter of re-
lleEing the criminal court Of
Fulton county Of some of that
business.
1t Is unfortunate, however
that Judicial scandal should
have grown out Of this matter.
Goytrnor Walker selected Judge
G. H. Howard to fill the vacancy
on the bench. A man. however
who. was supported by the bar
Of Atlanta makes some ugly in
situations which extend beyond
the new Judge. Mr.. Edgar
Latham says that he was offered
the position Of Solicitor Gener-
al Of the new court on condi-
non that he "split his fees with
Howard. Upon his refusal IN
go-lAto such discreditable
bargain, he was assured of the
llrst vacancy on the Court of
appeals oEsSupreme bench if he
would leave the Governor free
10 appoint Judge Howard to the
position in Atlanta.
All Of this has a bad sound
mr. Latham puts the matter in
the hands of the Bar Associa-
ton and offered to repeat his
charges in the face of Jn5go
howard before the Governor
y Is a great pity that a posi-
uon IKE this should have been
made subject of political +raf
d alchIlle. Inc story has been
generally printed from Atlanta
ne MACON News. however d.
noO oeIIeye it. It states 81
%ou!u require something moro
E nan me unsupported word of
Eagaf Latham to make the neo
PIE believe that Judge Howa,d
made such unbecominp nr 60 =
tions" Since Mr.. Latban, 1raa
himself a candidate for the nosi
ton and Judge Howard was tho
successful appointee, the Macon
News believes that Mr.. Latham
himself is showing pique and il
making charges that cannot he
supported. If the charges are
true, the Macon News admits
that Judge Howard certainly
has no place on the bench. The
matter cannot rest where it is.
Mr. Latham has offered to
carry it before the State or the
Atlanta Bar Association. Cover
nor Walker and Judge Howard
certainly owe it to themselves to
have full investigation of the
whole matter Mr.. Latham was
endorsed almost unanimously bv
the bar for the position of Judge
the confidence of his colleagues
Of the new criminal court Of
Fulton county. A man who en-
joys to this extent cannot be
said to have made charges which
are entirely empty.
Turn on the light
Surely this matter is one which
needs investigation by the Atlanta
and the State Bar Associations. If
these associations are serious and
mean anything, they cannot omit
,,n,or.yt+t,,, q