Atlanta Daily World

Bloc Vote Probe Said Political
Macon Mayor Sees Plan To Intimidate Negroes

MACON (UPI)-Mayor Ed Wilson Monday blasted a superior court judge's order to a grand jury to investigate apparent Negro bloc voting as "the worst blow to race relations in Bibb County in recent years."

Wilson said he was writing a letter to grand jury foreman Robert M. Penland requesting a hearing.

The mayor said Judge Oscar L. Long's charge was prompted "by unfounded rumors from disgruntled, unsuccessful politicians. Or it stemmed from hatred of the Negro race."

He said Long's charge calling for a probe of "Negro bloc voting" and sanctioned by two other superior court judges, was - though the judges may not have intended it,
"political" both in timing and in its content. He noted that Long's charge came just before a primary election.

Wilson said he had "never before known of a superior court of this county becoming involved in political matters."

It is an insult to all public officers who have received a large Negro vote and it is couched in terms to intimidate the Negro voters."

Wilson acknowledged that he had received a large Negro vote in three elections, but he added. "I have bought no vote-white or Negro."

"I asked for the Negro vote and I will again if it falls my lot to offer for public office. I know of no wrongdoing in any of these elections, either morally or criminally. I am convinced there was