The Augusta Courier

Some Politicians Do Keep Their Promises

(From The Atlanta Journal)

BY PIERCE HARRIS

The American sense of justice is sometimes impatient with what Owen Meredith calls Heaven's slow but sure redress of human ills. Since writing about Forrest Turner and his rehabilitated, but unrewarded, way of life, I have been deluged with letters and cards from many sections of the South with most of them approving the suggestion that, for Christmas, Forrest Turner be given a chance.

The Rev. William P. Allison, chaplain for Fulton county, wrote immediately to say, "Forrest Turner is a reformed and converted man" and expressed the sincere hope that he would be given his freedom.

Exchange of Letters

For those who think "a politician never keeps a promise" I am printing two letters exchanged between Frank Gross and Roy Harris. Readers will remember that these gentlemen were president of the Senate and speaker of the House when Forrest Turner was a member of the infamous "Eight Ball" gang. The letters follow:

Toccoa, Ga.,
Nov. 20, 1948.

Hon. Roy Harris
Attorney at Law
Augusta, Ga.

Dear Roy:

You will recall our visit to Tattnall prison in September, 1943, and our conversation with Forrest Turner. You will remember we were warned not to go into the cells where the "Eight Ball" gang was enclosed without an armed guard and that we disregarded this warning and asked to be locked in with them that we might get their version of the prison. You will remember the conversation with Turner, the leader of the gang. He told us his future was hopeless and the only freedom he would ever enjoy would be that which he would take for himself.

We made a covenant with him that day that if he would make a good prisoner for five years we would go before the Pardon and Parole Board in his behalf.

From that day in September, 1943, to this day in November, 1948, Turner has kept his promise. I think we owe it to him to keep ours.

Will you please make an appointment with this board as soon as possible after Dec. 10? I agree with Dr. Pierce Harris that it would be in keeping with the spirit of Christmas if Turner was granted a parole. I'm sure that you will agree that you and I can better enjoy our Christmas after we have fulfilled our part of the agreement made with Turner just a little over five years ago.

Your friend,
FRANK C. GROSS.

MR. HARRIS' REPLY

To this letter Roy Harris sent the following reply:

Augusta, Ga.
Nov. 28, 1948

Mr. Frank C. Gross
Attorney at Law
Toccoa, Ga.

Dear Frank:

You are absolutely correct. It should be done. Forrest Turner has kept his part of the contract 100 per cent, and we should live up to ours.

I will arrange for us to appear before the Pardon and Parole Board as soon after Dec. 10 as they will give us a hearing.

Your friend,
ROY HARRIS.

William E. Gladstone, beloved prime minister of England, once said, "Justice delayed is justice DENIED." Certainly no one of us in this fine state wants to see justice denied—even when it has already been delayed.

December is here. Christmas, with its manifestations of the Master's tender spirit, is not far behind. The palaces on Pace's Ferry, proudly surrounded by their palatial premises, will be gaily decorated; and lights will burn in cottages along the creeks and uplands. But in a little home in Hapeville, the lights will burn brightest, and a little old lady will smile through her tears to say: "My cup runneth over," if Forrest Turner gets home for Christmas.

The prosperity of Georgia and the kind of people that we raise depends upon our soil. Our soil is too thin. It can be improved by the use of brains and careful planning.