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that I have not by the highest authorities of Monroe; that I don't
drink enough whiskey to get intoxicated.
  The way the news got out that he was here for that business is
there was another negro that roomed with him, and he had to get
him to read his letters and write them, and this negro told what he
was up to--
  I here call attention to the fact that this negro Lawson, who
makes such a smooth and high sounding, logical and compre-
hensive affidavit signed it by his mark, according to the reading
at the desk.
  Oh, Mr. President, there has been a good deal connected with
this matter which has caused thoughtful men to wish it had
not happened, and I am of the opinion--and I do not hesitate to
express it here--that when this particular matter has been
probed to the bottom all honest men will be ashamed of it--
  I have been receiving letters from Roanoke, Va.--
  Where are they?  They are not in this report--
  I have been receiving letters from Roanoke, Va.  In the first one,
the man told me he would give me a position at $60 to $75 per month,
and I answered the letter and told him I couldn't accept the position
then, as my wife was sick and I couldn't leave her.  In the next one
he said he wanted me to serve in Cuba.  I didn't answer it, and in the
last one he told me if I would accept the position to let him know
and he would send me a ticket to come; he wanted me by the 15th.  I
asked him in each letter what kind of work he wanted me to do, but
he never would tell.  So I learned this negro is here working for him.
The man I have been getting the letters from goes in the name of
Wallace L. Gray--
  He was commented upon in one of these affidavits.  I will not
stop now to do more than to call attention to that fact--
but that is not his real name. However, he receives his mail in that
name, and when we found that was not the right name the papers the
negro had were searched this morning and found out he only receives
his mail in that name.
  Mr. FORAKER, I do hope this letter will be some help to you in your
case.  You have been a great friend to us, and I am sure I appreciate
your kindness toward us and thank you very much; and I also
ask you for a little of your help in this case, as the negro states
that he will have a man here for me in a few days, and I feel that I
am worthy of your help, as I am from a good family and the best and
highest white people of Monroe, Ga., are my friends.  I have had some
of the best men to tell me to-night if you need their assistance in this
case they are willing and ready to help you do anything for me.
  Mr. FORAKER, I am writing this letter because Capt. A. B. Mobly
had me to write you--
  Captain Mobly is captain of a local national guard company
there-
to introduce you to him through this letter. He is one of the most
popular men of Monroe, Ga., and the cashier of the Farmers' Bank of
this place.
  Mr. FORAKER, I want to tell you from my heart the statement I made
in Washington is the truth, so help me God, and I have no changes to
make in it whatever, and I am just as innocent of taking any part in
that trouble that night as God is on high; and the fact is I don't
know any more than I have told you about it--
  He evidently means told the committee, for he never told me
anything except in the committee--
  I am waiting for a reply at once from you, and I would like to have
all the advice you can give me.
      Very respectfully,                         BOYD CONYERS,
                                                      Monroe, Ga.
  Now, this is the answer that was sent him:
                                                   JULY 30, 1908.
Mr. BOYD CONYERS,
              Monroe, Ga.
  DEAR SIR: Your registered letter of the 24th of July, addressed to
Senator FORAKER at Washington, has been forwarded here.  The Sena-
    65504--7984




			

OHS Archives/Library Pamphlet Collection

Black Battalion: Speech of Hon. Joseph B. Foraker of Ohio in the Senate of the United States, 1908

B.