Omaha monitor., 1928-12-21
PERRY HOWARD is
FOUND NOT GUILTY
White Jury Finds No Grounds for
Prosecution of Mississippi Ma
tional Committeeman.
ALSO ExoNERATE ASSOCIATES

Jackson, Miss, Dec. 81 (ANP) -
After being locked up over night be-
cause of inability to agree, the jury
returned a verdict of not guilty in
the case of Perry w. Howard, former
republican national committeeman
from Mississippi, and his associates,
who were charged with bartering fed
eral patronage in the state of Mis-
sissippi.
The verdict, which was rendered
here at noon Friday, bore out the
prediction made by the Associated
Negro Press correspondent when the
trial opened that the defendants
would be exonerated and that the de-
sired end had been, accomplished,
namely, the wrestling of the leader
ship in republican affairs in the state
from the hands of Negroes.
The trial opened Monday with the
court room packed with citizens of
both races. The prosecuting attor-
ney introduced A. P. Russell, former
postmaster of Magee, Miss, who tes-
titled thst he had paid Perry How
ard, S. d. Redmond, and E. L. Pat
ten $4,000 for the postmastership.
AS the white man told of how he
visited Attorney Redmond, who ex-
acted $1,000 from him, and how he
a1V 4I 1%A
Negro leaders to Washington to see
the Mississippi republican leader, a
smile draped the countenance of At
torney Perry w. Howard. The wit
ness further testified that he was ad-
vised to return home and get "other
endorsements" which meant an adj
ditional 1900.
Taking the stand in his own de-
fense, Mr.. Howard denied that he
had received any money from Russell
with the declaration, "I did not re-
ceive one penny from Mr.. Russell in
Washington or anywhere else" He
admitted that he had held an inter-
view with Russell, but at the time
informed him that he had indorsed
F. s. Swain. white, of Brookhaven.
for the position. Upon learning that
the Mississippi senators favored the
candidacy of Russell through Attor-
ney John Marshall, an executive of
the department of justice, Mr.. How
ard stated that he indorsed him. The
attorney also stated that he told Rus
sell at the Washington interview that
if there was any financial consider
alton planned he would require them
to withdra wfro mhis office.
Attorney Redmond substantiated
the testimony of Attorney Howard
and declared that he made the trip
to Washington to attend to some
personal business and that his in
dorsement of Russell was Incidental.
He also refuted the statement of the
white man that Russell had paid the
exper ses of the trip.
Cne of the features of the trial
was the tilt between Lester G. Fant,
prosecuting attorney, and Attorney
Perry w. Howard, when the former
injected the question::
isn't it fact that all of your
department of justice recommenda-
tions were accepted"
To this Mr.. Howard replied: .'T
don't want to get personal, Mr.. FAINT,
and don't mean to be discourteous,
,Fbut / recommended Mr.. Edward
Smith Of Clarksdale for your place
and Mr.. John Marshall, administra-
tive assistant in the department of
justice said they wanted you."
This was followed by the follow
ing question by FAINT: 'Isn't it fact
that the district attorney usually ap-
points his own assistants?"
"Well, we usually get together"
replied Mr.. Howard.
This drew litter from teh aud
ience, much to the chagrin of Attor-
ney FAINT who is assistant district
attorney for the northern Mississippi
district. The tilt was occasioned by
\ the statement of Mr.. Howard to the
effect that he considered sugges-
ton or recommendation from Mr..
Marshall as an order.
Another feature of. the trial was
the testimony of Gus Woodcock, sus-
pended bailiff Of the Biloxi court,
that A. P. Russell had approached
him and offered him $1,000 "to help
frame these niggers."
Others indicted along with Attor-
neys Howard and Redmond were s.
r. Redmond, druggist, "Col." e. L.
Patten, and Scott Hubbard, a white
man. All were declared not guilty.