Another in our series of new transcriptions of contemporary articles on the Leo Frank case.

Atlanta Journal

Wednesday, April 30^th, 1913

Money Will Be Paid for Information Leading to Arrest of Girl’s Murderer

At a special session called at 10 o’clock Wednesday morning, the city council of Atlanta voted for the appropriation of $1,000 as a reward for information leading to the arrest of the party or parties guilty of the brutal murder of little Mary Phagan. In the building of the National Pencil company’s factory on Forsyth street, last Saturday afternoon or night.

Immediately afterward the aldermanic board met and concurred in the appropriation.

The only objection made to the money as a reward came from Councilman A. D. Thomson, who declared it would be best to use the money at once for hiring competent detectives to work on the case. He pointed out that rewards often resulted in stool pigeons swearing away the life of an innocent party. “If the detectives now working on the case are not competent,” said Councilman Thomson, “then let us use this money in securing men who can clear up the mystery.”

It is expected that Mayor Woodward will approve the action of both bodies during the day, so that the money will be obtainable at once.

* * *

Atlanta Journal, April 30th 1913, “Reward of $1,000 is Appropriated by City,” Leo Frank case newspaper article series (Original PDF)

J. M. Gant [sic], who was arrested at Marietta and brough[t] to Atlanta Monday, charged with the death of Mary Phagan. [Gantt was in the factory on the Saturday of the murder to pick up a pair of shoes he had left since leaving the Pencil company. Leo M. Frank was very reluctant to let him inside the building. Originally, Frank’s behavior towards Gantt was assumed to be because of Gantt’s recent firing, even though there were no bad relations between the two — Ed.]

Another in our series of new transcriptions of contemporary articles on the Leo Frank case.

Atlanta Journal

Tuesday, April 29^th, 1913

Mayor Woodward Calls Special Meeting of Council So That Reward Can Be Formally Offered—Governor Brown Issued Proclamation Tuesday Morning

Governor Joseph M. Brown Tuesday morning offered a reward of $200 for the apprehension and conviction of the murderer or murderers of Mary Phagan, and the city of Atlanta is expected to offer a $1,000 reward at a special meeting that has been called by Mayor James G. Woodward for Wednesday morning at 10 o’clock.

Mayor Woodward points out that this is one of the most atrocious crimes in Atlanta’s history and that the city cannot afford to let it go unheeded.

Following is the mayor’s message to council:

“Atlanta, Ga., April 29, 1913.

“To the General Council City of Atlanta:

“Gentlemen:

“The general council of the city of Atlanta is hereby called to convene in special session tomorrow morning at 10 o’clock, April 30, 1913, to take cognizance in an official way, of that most brutal crime that was committed in this city on last Saturday night.

“I think it is proper that the city government should take some befitting action as regards this most deplorable matter, which, as it is, is liable to cast unenviable criticism upon the name of our fair city, and I would suggest that your honorable body offer a suitable reward of not less than $1,000 for the capture of the brute or brutes that could so far forget themselves as to commit such an outrageous crime. I feel satisfied that every tax payer of this city will heartily cooperate in indorsing the action of mayor and general council in offering this reward. Respectfully submitted,

“J. G. WOODWARD, Mayor.”

* * *

Atlanta Journal, April 29th 1913, “State Offers $200 Reward; City Will Follow With $1,000 for Mary Phagan’s Murderer,” Leo Frank case newspaper article series (Original PDF)

Another in our series of new transcriptions of contemporary articles on the Leo Frank case.

The Atlanta Georgian

Saturday, July 19, 1913

“Dyspeptic, Fanatic, Stoneheart, Monomaniac” Are Other Terms in “Final” Retort.

Mayor Woodward Saturday said he was finally dismissing Recorder Nash R. Broyles from his mind with the statement:

“He is a natural dyspeptic, crank and a fanatic. If he ever had a heart it was turned to stone. Therefore, it is natural that he should become a monomaniac over the subject of using his czar-like authority in his own petty sphere. I don’t care anything more about him.”

Mayor Woodward again went over the head of Recorder Broyles Friday when he reduced the sentence of George Poulos, a restaurant keeper on Alabama street, who had been fined $100 and sentenced to 30 days in the Stockade fo [sic] violating the prohibition law.

The Mayor said he was much surprised that the Recorder did not make the fine $49 and the sentence 29 days so as to stay outside the jurisdiction of the Mayor.

It was expected that Mayor Woodward would issue a full pardon but he didn’t. He just reduced the fine to $49 and the sentence to 29 days.

* * *

The Atlanta Georgian, July 19th 1913, “Natural Crank, Mayor’s Shot at Broyles,” Leo Frank case newspaper article series (Original PDF)

Another in our series of new transcriptions of contemporary articles on the Leo Frank case.

The Atlanta Constitution

Saturday, July 19, 1913

Asserting That He Considers Recorder Mentally Irresponsible, the Mayor Announces Controversy Closed.

With the declaration that no utterance by Recorder Nash R. Broyles will induce him to resort to blackguardism or swerve him in the matter of exercising clemency, Mayor James G. Woodward yesterday reduced the sentence of George Poulas, a Greek retsaurant [sic] keeper, who was fined $100 or thirty days in the stockade for alleged violation of the near beer laws.

The extent of the mayor’s clemency was to reduce the fine assessed against Poulas to $49 or twenty-nine days in jail. Poulas was tried and convicted before W.H. Preston, acting recorder.

Considers Testimony Weak.

Mayor Woodward stated that his reason for pardoning Poulas was because the only witness against him was a 12-year-old negro boy.

“The testimony shows,” said the mayor, “that the negro boy had been in the employ of Poulas, and was discharged. By his own admission his testimony was biased and prejudiced, and hardly worthy of credit against the word of a white man.

V. Mazafladl, Greek consul, and a number of influential men of the Greek colony appeared before the mayor in behalf of Poulas, and made a strong plea for clemency.

Must Be Some Error.

Mayor Woodward said:

“Another motive that impels me in the reduction of this penalty is that it was imposed by the acting recorder, and not the recorder himself, and, therefore, there must be some error connected therewith, as it is the policy of the recorder himself to not exceed $49 fine or twenty-nine days in the stockade.

“In view of this error or oversight on the part of the assistant recorder, I desire not to take advantage, as it seems to be the policy of the recorder’s court at this time to place sentence without the limits of the chief executive of the city. I, therefore, reduce this fine to $49, or serve twenty-nine days on the public works, any time served being counted in this sentence. Upon the payment of $49 the said George Poulas will be released from further confinement or service.

No Love Lost.

Replying to the most recent statement of Recorder Broyles, Mayor Woodward [s]aid:

“The people of Atlanta are not, I believe, interested in any controversy of a personal nature between Nash Broyles and myself. It adds nothing to the dignity of either. As far as Broyles and myself are concerned, there is no love lost. He does not hold his position by my vote; neither do I hold the position I have by his vote, and I care nothing for him, either personally or otherwise, and do not propose to go into any further controversy with him, as I consider him irresponsible from a mental standpoint.

“As regards his apologizing to the hog family, possibly he is more interested in that line than I am.

“As regards the statement about falsehoods in referring to the court of appeals, I herewith give the names of the cases that were reversed and also those that were affirmed. The public can judge for themselves who is a liar in this business.

Gives Record of Reversals.

“On May 23, 1913, Chief Beavers made a report to the comptroller showing action by the higher court on seventeen cases, ten of which were reversed. On that report the city remitted fines as follows: Samuel Hughes, $500.75; George Marshall, thirty days, F. E. A. Smith, $500 and thirty days; Dan Brown. $99.25; Andrew Shanks, $50.75; H. Stone, $25.75; Tom Woolfolk, $500 and thirty days; Dave Fielder, $500.75; Will Lumpkin, $100, and Jack Percy, $25.75.

“The records in the comptroller’s office show that in a great many more cases the higher court sustained Broyles and at the same time reduced the fines of the defendants. In the case of Hub Talley, Judge Pendleton ordered the fine reduced to $75.10, all of which goes to prove my contention that Broyles is too severe.

Apologizes to Hog.

“Apologizing to the public, I want to say now and forever that I am through with Broyles.”

Recorder Broyles issued a warm statement Friday morning in reply to Mayor Woodward’s attack. He declared that he cared nothing for the abuse heaped on him, coming from such a character as the mayor. He asserted that the court of appeals never has passed on seventeen cases in one day, and said that the statement compelled him to “apologize to the hog.” He charged the mayor with uttering falsehoods in regard to the record of cases reversed, and intimated that the mayor was side-stepping the issue.

He reiterated that the mayor is hindering the courts by the use of his pardon power.

* * *

The Atlanta Constitution, July 19th 1913, “Woodward Uses Clemency Again,” Leo Frank case newspaper article series (Original PDF)

Another in our series of new transcriptions of contemporary articles on the Leo Frank case.

The Atlanta Journal

Friday, July 18, 1913

*Editor’s Note: Small sections of text are missing due to scanning near a crease.

Recorder Says Mayor Is Defeating Justice and Impeding Officers in Their Attempts to Check Crime

MAYOR STYLES BROYLES “A POLITICAL ACCIDENT”

Says Recorder Plays Golf on Sunday and Then Fines Boys for Their Sunday Baseball Games

Another direct statement by Recorder Nash R. Broyles, Friday morning, of his opinion of Mayor Woodward’s clemency toward criminals convicted in police court, was issued by the recorder in writing, coupled with a verbal comment that the mayor “tells so many falsehoods that it would be futile to attempt to answer them.”

In his new expression, Recorder Broyles apologizes to the hog which he contrasted with the mayor Thursday, in [which he] says that the mayor knows less about law than a hog does about political economy.

Following is the recorder’s written statement:

“I care nothing for the mayor’s abuse. Condemnation from such a character should be considered praise. But when he says that the court of appeals on May 23, 1913, reversed me in ten cases and sustained me in seven, he tells such a ridiculous and absurd falsehood that I now apologize to the hog to which I referred yesterday when I said that the mayor knows less about law than the hog knows about economy.

“The idea of the court of appeals passing in one day on seventeen cases appealed from the recorder’s court of Atlanta! The records of that court will show that on the average there are not seventeen cases a year carried from my court to the court of appeals, and they will show also that that court has sustained me in ten cases where it has reversed me in one.

“But the mayor is, as usual, trying to side-step the issue between us. That issue is not my ability as a lawyer or a judge. I am content to let my record speak for me. The issue is that the mayor, in protecting and pardoning the […] criminals of […] and defeating justice in our courts and impeding the officers of the law in their attempt to check crime in our city; and that is the issue on which the people at the next election will call him to account.”

WHAT MAYOR SAYS.

“Broyles is a political accident and no one takes him seriously,” is a striking sentence from a statement which Mayor James G. Woodward claims to be the last he is going to make in the wordy controversy between himself and Judge Nash R. Broyles of the recorder’s court.

Following the recorder’s statement that the mayor doesn’t know as much about law as a hog does about political economy, and that he (the mayor) is a menace to society, Mayor Woodward has delivered what he says is his final reply.

The mayor attacks the recorder’s record as a jurist and says that Judge Broyles is sore at him (Woodward) because the court of appeals has reversed so many of his decisions. He points to the record of May 23, this year and says that on that date the court of appeals reversed Judge Broyles on ten cases, sustaining him on seven others.

“UNDERWORLD CZAR.”

The mayor repeats the accusation that the recorder is trying to rule the underworld like a little czar.

Referring to Judge Broyles’ remarks about his ignorance of the law, the mayor says that he must appeal to a more competent judge.

“I have never heard of him being much of a lawyer in his lawyer days,” the mayor says, “and I don’t think he has improved any of late.

“From the bottom of my heart I am sorry for him,” continued the mayor. “If it is possible for him to get a little free advertising by roasting me and exploiting his own ability as a fly trainer, I have no kick to offer.

“I think, however, that Judge Broyles should practice what he preaches. I understand that he plays golf on Sunday and on Monday will fine a youngster who is picked up on the streets for playing baseball. Really, Broyles deserves the sympathy of the people.”

Mayor Woodward’s exercising of the pardoning prerogative caused the controversy with Judge Broyles.

* * *

The Atlanta Journal, July 18th 1913, “Broyles Comes Back at Mayor Woodward and Mayor at Him,” Leo Frank case newspaper article series (Original PDF)

Another in our series of new transcriptions of contemporary articles on the Leo Frank case.

The Atlanta Georgian

Friday, July 18, 1913

REVERSAL OF VERDICTS IS DENIED BY JUDGE

Apologizes Also to Porcine Family for Likening Woodward’s Legal Knowledge to Theirs.

Recorder Nash Broyles penned a polite note of apology to the whole hog family Friday.

With the same hand he picked up the cudgels with which again to belabor his honor, Mayor Woodward.

The Mayor, quoth the recorder, was the author of a ridiculous and absurd falsehood and it was a regrettable libel upon Mr.Hog to have to submit to a comparison with Atlanta’s Mayor.

As for the Mayor, he declared he was tired of wasting verbiage on the Recorder and that he would have nothing more to say in their quarrel. He intimated, however, that he had it in his mind to override the Recorder again by pardoning another prisoner.

Here are Recorder Broyles’ comments on the Mayor:

Apologizes to Porcine Family.

“I care nothing for the Mayor’s abuse. Condemnation from such a character should be considered praise. But when he says that he [sic] Court of Appeals on May 23, 1913, reversed me in ten cases and sustained me in seven, he tells such a ridiculous and absurd falsehood that I now apologize to the hog to which I referred yesterday when I said the Mayor knew less about law than a hog does about political economy.

“The idea of the Court of Appeals passing one day upon seventeen cases appealed from the Recorder’s Court of Atlanta!

“The records of that court will show that on an average there are not seventeen cases a year carried to the Court of Appeals, and they will also show that that court has sustained me in ten cases where it has reversed me in one.

Sees Attempt to Evade Issue.

“But the Mayor is, as usual, trying to sidetrack the issue between us. That issue is not my ability as a lawyer or a judge. I am content to let my record speak for me, but the issue is that the Mayor is protecting and pardoning the habitual and confirmed criminals of our city; is obstructing and defeating justice in our courts and impeding the officers of the law in their attempt to check crime in our city.

“And this is the issue on which the people at the next election will call him to account.”

Mayor Woodward retorted that he had concluded his comments on Recorder Broyles, but that he practically had decided again to overrule the Recorder and issue another pardon.

Plans to Give New Pardon.

The situation is possible only because Judge Broyles made a mistake and imposed a sentence of 20 instead of 29 days, which puts the case in the jurisdiction of the Mayor.

G. Poulus, who runs a restaurant on Alabama street, was fined $100 and sentenced to 30 days in the stockade. The story that has reached Mayor Woodward is that Poulus discharged a negro boy and that the negro boy, being angry, reported Poulus to the police as selling beer. Poulus says he only orders beer from adjoining saloons and keeps it in his ice box for his customers.

* * *

The Atlanta Georgian, July 18th 1913, “Woodward=Broyles Breach Widens,” Leo Frank case newspaper article series (Original PDF)

Another in our series of new transcriptions of contemporary articles on the Leo Frank case.

The Atlanta Constitution

Friday, July 18, 1913

In Final Fling at Broyles the Mayor Declares He Is Through With Controversies With City Officials.

The word war raging between Mayor James G. Woodward and Judge Nash R. Broyles, police magistrate, which grew out of the mayor’s use of the pardon prerogative, grew tense yesterday, when both sides hurled bitter excoriations at the other.

Mayor Woodward took a final fling at Recorder Broyles in a statement last night.

“I sympathize with Broyles,” Mayor Woodward said. “He is, in my opinion, a political accident. No one takes him seriously. He is mad with the courts for reversing him, and he is trying to take it all out on me. Really, I am sorry for the fellow.”

The mayor announced that he is through with controversies with any city officer. He stated that in the future he will welcome criticism when it is made to him, face to face.

“And when I have anything to say to Judge Broyles I’ll tell it to him.”

What Each Thinks of Other.

Both Mayor Woodward and Recorder Broyles burned up a choice collection of adjectives in their debates in the newspapers Thursday.

“He’s ignorant.

“He knows about as much of law as a hog does of political economy.

“He’s a menace to civilization.”

Those are some of the harsh things Recorder Broyles said about the mayor.

And—

Mayor Woodward shot these over the plate at the recorder:

“He’s a petty czar—a political accident.

“He never was much of a lawyer in his lawyer days, and I don’t see any improvement since he has been recorder.

“He’s trying to be a little iron king—a Bismarck among the poor creatures of the underworld.

“He’s a joke.”

Freeman Still in Stockade.

And through it all, Griff Freeman, the blind tiger, who was the cause of all the rough stuff between the mayor and the recorder, lanquishes in the stockade. And the chances are that he will remain there. His only chance of freedom lies in his ability to get a bondsman to sign up about $6,500 in bonds.

Mayor Woodward’s statement in reply to Recorder Broyles’ criticism of his pardoning Freeman brought forth a hot reply Thursday morning from the recorder. In addition to the statements quoted, Recorder Broyles denied the statement of the mayor that he was frequently reversed by the court of appeals. “I have been sustained ten times to every one time I have been reversed,” he said.

Mayor Woodward dug up records in the comptroller’s office, Thursday, and then made the following statement in contradiction:

“The record of May 23, 1913, shows that the court of appeals reversed, on that day, ten cases which were decided by Judge Broyles. On that same day the court affirmed seven of his decisions. Two of the affirmed cases were against the same man. The fines ranged from $25 to $500. That’s some record coming from a judge who accuses me of being ignorant of the law.

Discussion is Distasteful.

“This entire discussion has been distasteful to me. I am trying to keep down friction in the city administration, but it appears that some people are determined not to let me. Judge Broyles has brought this all on himself, all because of his desire to act the little czar. The mayor’s office has been the place for dispensing clemency since Atlanta was Marthasville. The charter gives the executive of the city the right. Recorder Broyles through his littleness, desires that those who come before him must appeal to him for mercy. He has dealt with those poor unfortunates of the underworld so long that he is beginning to imagine himself supreme.

“He resorts to the little method of imposing fines of $49 and sentences of 29 days in order to prevent me interfering. I am satisfied. If he can go to bed with a conscience clear that he is doing justice to those he deals with, I am satisfied.

“In reply to his charge that I am as ignorant of the law as a hog is about political economy, I must plead the right to appeal to a more competent judge. I don’t think Judge Broyles is the right one to decide. As to the charge that I am a menace to civilization, I return the insult as gratuitously as it wa given. His remarks about my lack of knowledge may or may not be timely, as I never heard of Broyles being much of a lawyer in his lawyer days, and I don’t think he has improved any.

“From the bottom of my heart I am sorry for him. If it is possible for him to get a little free advertising by roasting me and exploiting his own ability as a fly trainer, I have no kick to offer.

“However, I do think Judge Broyles should practice what he preaches. I understand he plays golf on Sunday and on Monday will fine a youngster who is picked up on the street for playing baseball. Verily, he deserves the sympathy of the people.”

Recorder Broyles charges the mayor with having pardoned Freeman after making a promise that he would not interfere. Mayor Woodward, in reply, said that he did not know that Freeman was sick and could not work. He asserts that he issued the pardon only upon representations made to him by Drs. Batty and Hall that Freeman was seriously ill.

* * *

The Atlanta Constitution, July 18th 1913, “Wordy War Over, Says Woodward,” Leo Frank case newspaper article series (Original PDF)

Another in our series of new transcriptions of contemporary articles on the Leo Frank case.

The Atlanta Georgian

Thursday, July 17, 1913

*Editor’s Note: Some words in the middle of this article are missing due to scanning blur near a page fold.

Recorder Replies to Mayor’s Charges of “Czar-Like” Police Court and Scores Him Severely

“KNOWS MUCH LAW AS HOG DOES ECONOMY,” HE SAYS

The Judge Says, “Never Argue With an Ignorant Man, for You Can’t Convince Him He’s Wrong”

Recorder Nash R. Broyles, in replying to Mayor James G. Woodward’s criticism of his heavy sentences, quotes the philosopher who says, “Do not argue with an ignorant man, for you can never convince him that he is wrong.”

“While Woodward does not know as much about law as a hog does about political economy,” the recorder remarked between the trial of cases Thursday morning, “I don’t mind making a statement to put the facts before the public.

“This man Griff Freeman, whose sentence the mayor reduced until it was a negligible quantity, is the most notorious blind tiger now plying his trade in Atlanta. I had sentenced him to serve thirty days in the stockade and to pay a fine of $500. The case was carried to both of the higher courts, which sustained me. The evidence of his guilt was absolute.

“After the courts had sustained my sentence, Mayor Woodward comes along and reduces the man’s fine by half, and then removes entirely the sentence of thirty days in the stockade.

“Now, this man, whom the mayor thinks should not serve in the stockade has come before me again, and again the evidence against him is flawless.

“Five white men testified that they purchased whiskey from him, and the man declares that he has been buying liquor from Freeman for the past seven years.

“What are the courts for,” asked the recorder, “if not to deal with men like Freeman, whose only business and occupation is the flagrant violation of the law?

“I must say that a man who blocks the courts in an effort to stop law violations of this and other similar criminals is an enemy to civilization and to society.

“Before Mayor Woodward reduced the Freeman […] he called me over the telephone and […] my advice […] the matter, and after I had given him the facts in the case, he told me that he would not interfere.”

The recorder in commenting upon the mayor’s attitude, cited the case of Dr. Roper, who is again in the toils after having been once pardoned by the mayor.

Wednesday afternoon Judge Broyles bound Griffin over to the state courts under $1,000 bond in each of five cases and in a sixth case he sentenced him to serve twenty-nine days in the stockade. Freeman has stayed the stockade sentence by making a $1,000 certiorari bond. He is now at liberty under a total bond of $6,000.

“I am not going to have the city stockade turned into a modern Siberia if I can help it,” declared Mayor James G. Woodward Wednesday afternoon in commenting on the report that Griff Freeman, a blind tiger, sentenced Wednesday by Judge Broyles, had previously been pardoned by him.

The mayor asserted that he didn’t pardon Freeman, but on the recommendation of two physicians, Dr. Hugh I. Battey and Dr. G.G. Hall, reduced his fine to $250 in order that he might pay it and leave the stockade, since he was physically unable to work.

The mayor, in the course of his statements about the case, characterized the methods of Judge Nash R. Broyles, recorder, as too severe and czarlike.

“Whenever it is proven to me that a prisoner deserves clemency, I will see that he gets it,” the mayor added.

Griff Freeman, the blind tiger whose fine was previously reduced by the mayor, was again before recorder Wednesday and was fined heavily in several cases and bound over to the state courts under bonds aggregating $6,000.

* * *

The Atlanta Georgian, July 17th 1913, “Woodward Enemy to Society, Says Recorder Broyles,” Leo Frank case newspaper article series (Original PDF)

Another in our series of new transcriptions of contemporary articles on the Leo Frank case.

The Atlanta Georgian

Thursday, July 17, 1913

Declaring that police officers placed him under arrest while he was attempting to convey a woman in the throes of an epileptic fit to a hospital and forced him to be the companion to a negro in riding in the patrol wagon to the police station, Mongin F. Smith, vice president and secretary of the Eagle Stamp Works, Thursday afternoon carried a trenchant complaint of police stupidity to Mayor Woodward for investigation.

“The young woman whom we were endeavoring to place in a hospital was Miss Mabel Parker, a performer at the Old Mill Theater on Whitehall street,” declared Mr. Smith. “She was taken with a convulsion when she learned of her brother’s near death Wednesday afternoon.

“Aided by B.T. Glenn, manager of the theater, we placed her in an ambulance and drove to the Grady Hospital. While endeavoring to secure her a ward in the hospital, we were approached by two policemen who, as I understand, had been summoned by the hospital authorities when we first drove up.

“Despite our pleas to give us time to see that Miss Parker was cared for, the policemen made us go to the patrol wagon. Inside there was a negro man. The police would not hire a cab. We complained against riding with the negro and offered to hear to this and shoved us in the patrol. We rode to the police station in this manner.

“After being held for nearly an hour, while an investigation was being made, we were released.”

Mr. Smith has asked Mayor Woodward for a complete investigation of the affair, and that the guilty policemen be summarily dealt with.

* * *

The Atlanta Georgian, July 17th 1913, “Mayor Asked to Probe Action of Police,” Leo Frank case newspaper article series (Original PDF)

Another in our series of new transcriptions of contemporary articles on the Leo Frank case.

The Atlanta Georgian

Thursday, July 17, 1913

WOODWARD SCORED BY BROYLES

“Can’t Convince Ignorant Man He’s Mistaken,” Says Judge, Quoting Epictetus.

WHAT BROYLES THINKS OF THE MAYOR.

He’s ignorant.
He’s a menace to civilization.
He knows as much law as a boy does political economy.

WHAT WOODWARD THINKS OF RECORDER.

He’s a petty czar.
My office is bigger than his.
If he wants to run my office, let him come up and give me orders.

“Do not argue with an ignorant man, for you can never convince him he is wrong.”

Recorder Nash R. Broyles, quoting Mr. Epictetus, the late well-known Greek philosopher, spoke thusly Thursday.

Following this declaration Mr. Broyles then declined to argue with Mayor James G. Woodward over the action in the case of Griff Freeman, an alleged notorious blind tiger operator, whom Broyles had sentenced to a $500 fine and a 29-day term in the stockade, when the Mayor declared he did not propose to see the city prison turned into a modern Siberia by a “too severe and czar-like Recorder.”

Impugns His Legal Lore.

“Mayor Woodward knows as much about law as a hog does about political economy,” was the Recorder’s avowal.

However, to “set himself right,” Judge Broyles issued the following statement.

“Yesterday a man named Freeman, the most notorious ‘blind tiger’ out of captivity, was convicted of selling whisky. The evidence was overwhelming. Five white men testified as to Freeman’s guilt and one said he had been buying whisky from Freeman for the last seven years.

Claims Breach of Promise.

“This is the same Freeman whom Mayor Woodward freed from the stockade and whose fine he reduced from $500 to $250. He did this, too, after asking me about the case over the telephone and assuring me that he would not interfere with my decision.

“In regard to the Court of Appeals reversing me in many cases, I have this to say: Since I have been Recorder the Court of Appeals has sustained me in ten cases where they have reversed me in one.

“The most ludicrous act of Mayor Woodward was in connection with the Dr. Roper case, in which I was sustained both by the Fulton County Superior Court and the Court of Appeals. But Mayor Woodward calmly announced, with a straight face, that he had decided the evidence was insufficient to convict.

“An Enemy to Society.”

“He therefore reversed the decision of the Recorder, the Superior Court and the Court of Appeals—and this by a man who knows about as much about law as a hog knows about political economy.

“I must say that a man who blocks the courts in an effort to stop law violations of this and other similar criminals is an enemy to civilization and to society.”

Mayor Woodward Thursday amplified his criticism of Recorder Broyles. He declared he was restraining his feelings in an effort to keep down a row, but there weer [sic] just a few things he had to say about the Recorder.

Scores Broyles’ Stand.

“Why doesn’t he attack the higher courts?” began the Mayor. “They have overridden him many more times this year than I have. I have interceded in only four cases during the seven months I have been in office.

“The trouble with Broyles is he wants to be supreme. He wants to be […]

Continued on Page 2, Column 3.

BROYLES QUOTES EPICTETUS TO WOODWARD

Resorts to Heathen Philosopher to Silence Opponent—”Mind Your Business,” Says Mayor.

Continued From Page 1.

[…] a czar, barricaded against criticism and interference.

“My office is a few years older than his. The Mayor once acted as Recorder. I did not come into my office through his sufferage just as he did not come into his through mine. But I have been given the right to interfere in certain cases by the Constitution of the State and the city charter.”

“Mind Your Own Business.”

“Let him attend to his duties and I’ll attend to mine. I have not interfered with him and it is none of his business what I do. We’ll both have the privilege of answering to the people for our acts.

“That policy of his giving 29-day stockade sentences so as to evade my pardoning power is little.

“I’ll tell him as I told Chief Beavers on one occasion, that if he wants to run my office I would be glad to have him call and I will discuss with him what I intend to do.

“That might satisfy him.”

* * *

The Atlanta Georgian, July 17th 1913, “Mayor and Broyles in War of Words,” Leo Frank case newspaper article series (Original PDF)