The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1924-05-30
AYDLETT DIGS UP THE
VOICELESS DEAD AGAIN
Asks Voters of First Congressional District I ,
Disbelieve This Newspaper Upon Worth
less Evidence That Was Once Ruled
Out of Court
By W. 0. SAUNDERS

False and malicious" is the
way Z. F. Aydlett. seeker after
the Democratic nomination
for Congress in this district
characterizes the representa-
tions made about him by this
newspaper in this campaign.
The Daily Advance, the Ayd-
lett paper in Elizabeth City
carried an interview from
Aydlett on Monday, May 70.
/ quote:-
"Mr. Aydlett goes on to say
that nobody familiar with the
history Of his libel suit against
w. 0. Saunders In the courts az
a result Of publication In tho
Independent Of Editor Saunders
version Of Andrew Browns deal
with the Elizabeth City Lum.
her Company will be influenced
by the latest rehash Of this
matter. People here remember"
says Mr.. Aydlett, that I had
the sworn statement Of the late
Clay Foreman disproying every
charge made by the independent
and that nt the trial this affi.
davit was ruled out on a techni.
cality. still have this ali.
davit and will be glad 10 show
II TO any one who may wish
to see It."
And 20 Mr.. Aydlett thinks that
with these few words he can briefly
dismiss some of the most dumning
facts ever brought against lawyer
In this district! He says that people
here remember that he had the
sworn statement OF the late Clay
Foremen disproving every charge
made by THE INDEPENDENT.
Clay Foreman was dead when
brought me to trial In the
courts. of, three -eeanties; TO, prove
my charges how he double crossed
his clients and shared the loot with
u sharp who folsted n worthless
land title on Aydlett's clients with
Aydlett's cOnnivnnce
Living Testimony.
Three members of the firm of the
City Lumber Co. (now
the Fopmnn,Blades. Lumber Co.,
were living IN. Elizabeth City at
the time Aydlett brought his suits
against mo! and are stllk living. lie
did not bring n single onp of those
living members 0f the firm into
Court. but came into COnrt with a
raper purpOrting to bc an affidavit
made by Clay Foreman who had
been dead for several years. The
proof that lay Foreman signed
nny such .er IL yet To bc eStab-
llshrd. The paper was ruled out
Df Court. not because Of any tcchni-
rality. but because II was ridiculous
On its face. The Courts OF Sorth
Carolina do not jail men on q piece
Df paper purporting to bc u dead
mans word. The Court wanted liv-
Ing testimony.
And ] produced that Testimony IN
the living members OF the Elizabeth
'ity Lumber Co.. Mr.. Wesley Fore
man and Mr.. Roscoe Foreman going
Dn the stand aud under oath SUBJ
stantiating the charges I had made
against Aydlett. Ny CHI. .ccs were
'ubstantiated by other living wit.
ncsses and by q raft Of exhibits. in
the very check with which
Aydlett got his money from A. J.
Brown In the crooked deal. Wesley
md Roscoe Foreman. sons OF the
ate Clay Foreman had never heard
,f their father making such an af.
'idnvit az Aydlctt claimed he made
md do not believe tO this day that
heir father ever made such an af-
'ldarit. They know tnat they
'ought worthless land title from
4. j. Brown upon the representa-.
ions OF their lawyer. Il. +. Aydlett
hat the title was gilt edge. And
hey know that the title proved to
'c worthless and that they later
earned the facts, that Aydlett had
represented the title to be good
when he had m understanding with
Continued on page Four