Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-09-08
MEETING DEFENDS
JUDGE HOWARD IN
BAR CONTROVERSY

y
A declaration by Representative J.
O. Wood, of Fulton county's delega-
ton in the legislature, that the
charges recently preferred against
Judge G. H. Howard, of the new
fifth division of Fulton superior
court, represent "a political fight on
Governor Clifford M. Walker through
Judge Howard" featured a mass
meeting at the city auditorium We'd
nesday evening at which resolutions
were adopted warmly indorsing
Judge Howard and severely criticiz-
ing the Atlanta, Bar association for
its recent action in upholding the
charges.
Broughton T. Ashley presided at
the mass meeting, which was held
under the auspices of a special COM
mitee including members Of the j.
o. U. A. M, the knights Of Kane
liza. the knights of the Ku KluX
Khan, the Daughters of America, the
League of Protestant Women and
the Atlanta ePople's club. The reso-
lutiOnS were the same as were adopt
ed by it's committee on August 81.
They were ratified Wednesday eve
ming by reclamation.
Representative Wood also charged
that Representative John Y. Smith,
another member of Fulton cOunty's
delegation, was "either an imbeclle
or A crook" and scored him for
the alleged defeating Of necessary
charter amendments in order to pass
Il bill taking the control of the po-
lice department from city council
and placing it in the hands of Chief
Beavers"
He charged that Representative
Smith was ably assisted and abetted
bv one Aldine- Chambers, that same
Aldine who can't get into decent
meeting of lawyers but hangs around
on. the edge of things just like he
does in the corridors of the capitol.
j. Y. Smiths Answer
Representative Wood said his re-
marks had particular reference to
an attempt by Representative Smith
during the closing days OF the leg
islatiVe session to attack an amend
ment to a local bill whereby Chlef
Beavers would have been given full
control of the police department.
Representative Smith said Thurs-
day morning that he had no desire
ito reply to the bullying remarks OIL
Representative Wood, that he was
not present at the meeting WedneS-
day evening, and did not know WHAT
was said.
"On the last day of the leSisla-
ture." he said, 81 put an amendment
on a senate bill that was then in
the house. 1t passed at o'clock in
the morning, and when it got back
to the house there were not enough
members there to pass anything. AT
the next session l will call this bill
on the first day and pass 1t with
this amendment, Representative
Wood to the contrary, nothWlth-
standing"
The major portion of Representa-
tive Woods speech had reference
to the controversy over the judge
ship, his remarks concerning Ken
resentative Smith coming incidental
ly.
This whole fight is on the gov
ernor, through Judge Howard, ne
declared, land is based on the fact
that some 1000 people in Fulton
county are potential candidates Tor
governor. They are urged to TINS
ambition by the apparent ease with
which Whispering Cliff went IN.
During the legislature l was APP
preached by no less than eleven
people who wanted to know II l
could get them the support of the
Ku KluX Khan if they ran for gov
ernor.
Condemnation Without Trial
"The Atlanta Bar association got
mad because Governor Walker and
Judge Howard refused to notice It's
little three-man grievance commit
tee, so they cited them both for
contempt. And yet this same bunch
of lawyers say the biggest thing
they have against the ku hluN
Khan is that it condemns peopi"
without a trial.
But l want to tell you the ac-
ton of the forty people who voted
at the bar association meeting does
not represent the sentiments OF the
Atlanta bar. The Atlanta bar AND
the Atlanta Bar association repro
sent two entirely different breeds
of dogs.
DO you believe these charges?
Do you believe Judge Howard-tht
maker of governors-haggled VITA
little Edgar Latham, little Edgar
who had no political value what
ever Certainly you do not
Other speakers at the meeting
were j. P. Marshant, state councillor
! of the J. o. Z. A. M, and j. @.
Nolan, a I<u Klux Khan organizer
/ both of whom warmly Endorsed Judge
/ Howard and commended him for his
refusal to appear before the bar as
ISOLATION.
A telegram from the Rev. Caleb
A. Ridley. now in Athens, Ohio, was
read, expressing regret that he could
not be present and declaring his OPP
position to anybody who is opposed
! to Governor Walker"