The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1923-09-04
HOWARD is CENSURED;
REFUSES TO RESIGN
.r1ANTA BAR COMMITTEE
= c1rSTAINS CHARGES; FINDS
CONDUCT UNETHICAL.

r,,dge G. H. Howard, appointee Of
Governor Walker, as judge of the
so,,,1v created branch of the Fulton
-,,oerior court, was virtually demand
Il IN A resolution approved by the
.secutive committee of the Atlanta
BAR Association.
The resolution followed an investi-
cation by the grievance committee OF
The Bar Association into charges by
Edgar Latham, Atlanta attorney, that
ITdge Howard proposed to him a
n,anipulation of appointments to the
naices of Judge and solicitor general
Whereby he and Mr.. Latham might
sn1it fees of the latter office.
Called Illegal and Corrupt.
The resolution follows: "Be it re-
Owed That the Atlanta Bar Associa-
ION approves the report of the griev-
once committee and orders it filed as
4 part of the permanent records of the
association.
"That it condemns without qualifi-
cation the conduct of Judge Howard,
ss set out in detail in the report of
the grievance committee, as improp-
or illegal. corrupt and contrary to the
nnb1ic policy; and declares it is incon-
s;stent with the proper administration
Of Justice that Judge Howard should
continue to hold the Office as judge
Of the superior court
Howard Not to Quit.
The following statement was given
out by Judge Howard:
Il have no comment to make on
the decision of the executive commit
tee except to say that my friends and
I will welcome an opportunity to of
fer our witnesses and present our
case to any tribunal having authority
10 hear it. Until | have this opportu-
nity the public cannot know the facts.
Il believe every one will agree that
am entitled to fair trial in a legally
constituted tribunal.
Able attorneys, including ex-
Judges of the superior court, who
Voluntarily represented me as friends
on their own responsibility and after
| had put myself in their hands, ad-
vised me to decline to call witnesses
and present my case to the grievance
committee of the Bar Association.
and have had no opportunity to con-
ter with them, but | can not comply
with the request of the executive COM
mittee and retire from the bench.
(Signed) G.. H. HOWARD"
Friends of Judge Howard declare
that the Bar Association has no jul
risdiction in the case and that no mat
ter what its findings may be Judge
Howard will continue to fill his po
sition as Judge of the Fulton superior
court.
Bar Upholds Report.
At a meeting of the entire Atlanta
Bar Association Friday there were 5
dissenting votes out of the entire
membership present against adoption
Of the resolutions proposed by the
executive committee ter1ning the &C
ton of Judge G. H. Howard, in con-
nection with the judicial appointment,
illegal, improper and corrupt" and
gong on record that the continuation
Of Judge Howard on the superior
court bench would be contrary to
public policy and against the interests
Of proper justice.
The meeting of the association, held
in one of the superior court rooms,
was said by members to be the larg7
est ever brought together by the At
anta Bar Association, 200 or more
being in attendance.
Grand Jury Takes a Hand.
The Fulton county grand jury, in
special presentments, has virtually de-
handed the resignation OF Judge
Howard
The action of the grand jury de-
clares that 1T is most unfortunate for
Judge Howard to perform the duties
Of his office until the charges are
3 proven or disproven," and states that
the charges made under oath by citi
zens OF Atlanta against Judge How
ard made a very painful impression
on the grand jury" and "by reason
\ Of the wide publicity given these
4 charges" Judge Towards continuance
on the bench will tend to discredit
the courts"
A Big Surprise.
At the time of the grand jury's
\ action, which came as distinct sur
n prise, the Bar Association was con-
Ndering the reports Of two of its
committees sustaining the charges OF
methical conduct brought against
Mr. Howard.
There are two paths open for the
association, according to leading at.
orneys, one disbarment proceedings
and, second, impeachment proceed
ngs. The former would have to be
AIRED IN the superior court, the latter
before the general assembly.
FIVE HTTMOpEn TONS OF