The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1880-07-13

Republican Nominations ga N ON.
strOsfty 0fFraud.''

Sun and Press, July Ill
To The Editor of the Sun and Press.
Will you favor me with space in your journal
for reply flor Onel TO the enquiries OF Judge A.
A. Knight in your issue of this date, under the
head OF conundrums' In The first place he
calls for reply, not only from the Sun and
Press, but from the leading Republicans Of the
State, 10 define their position regarding the Re
publican ticket promulgated al Gainesville. But
in my reply propose 10 60 further and embrace
as well the entire Republican ticket of Duval
county. first then propose, Ito use lawyers
parlance,l to establish and lay foundation that
l am not only Republican, but that heretofore
have taken quite prominent part a manager
and in an Official position ever since the organ
ization of the Republican party, having never in
my life voted other than the straight out regular
Republican ticket, except in municipal affairs
Tin which / have always claimed that politics
should not enter) In the first place freely
used my means and devoted my time and ener-
gies 10 organize and maintain recruits during the
late unpleasantness TO queli the rebellion, and
was chairman of the war and recruiting commit.
tee during the entire rebellion in the bailiwick
that my opponents, politically the Democrats,
did not deem me a milk and water Republican,
refer you to an extract from document signed
by the Democratic town committee which was
called forth simultaneously with like document
from the Republican town committee, and the
OSuCI tCduiuS ucn1DctS Oi the patty AT the Time
my previous political record was assailed in this
city. several years since, while was a candidate
Tor the mayoraity 8 q. (extractl A" We under
stand that it is urged against you as a candidate
for the mayoralty of jacksonville, that your
political course in Maiden was Objectionable If
6y that it Is meant merely that you were an en-
thusiastic member Of the Republican party We
too, think II was Objectionable" etc Signed by
all the Democratic town committee
VIII state further in order TO lay the "founeia-
ton, that have right TO reply to the card of
Judge knight, and without my Republican prin-
ciples being questioned, that for several years [
represented the Fourth Middlesex District In the
Massachusetts, Legislature, which district com
prises many times more voters than the entire
county of Duval; and, further, that was elected
every time on the straight Republican ticket
Now. If have sufficiently laid the foundation.
which admit have done at some length, ana
not alone for the present purpose but in order,
should l again have occasion to trcspass upon
your valuable columns during the present cam
paign, TO make 1t plain that my previous record,
at least politically has not been of the weather
vane or fair weather Species" so-called, how
ever plain may deem 1t my privilege and duty
to speak or widely differ from, perhaps. large
number whom respect as influential Republi-
cans OF today. Comprehending full well the
entire situation of Affairs politically as they exist
In Florida, and also that this is Presidential"
and not an "of" year. But on this point there
to every reason, both as a policy measure and
tending 10 success, that should prompt either
party to put forward their most able-which
means their most available candidates; and any
pulling to the contrary of this Is suicidal at the
onset, and invites what il should and, in nv
judgment, will meet ignomious defeat on next
November al the polls. For IL ever there was q
time when people will think and act for them
selves, politically. and will NOT be hamperet or
driven by the party lash into the ranks of either
vrno milf nav tt,k
broad and comprehensive view Of what is best
Tor the success OF our business interests our local
county, State, and our general government and
viii act accordingly. Ispeak for the intelligent
masses, tor have for q long time scanned the
political horizon with care. watched The irift Of
the candid, independent Journalist correspohded
and conversed with large class whose opinions
IN the main conceded with the Views as stated
here And right here Is where the old schemins
politician viii wake up alter the tall election and
for the hrst time realize that the time when q
lew organized designing men held the masses, as
head, y gone i was 50 WIKI the Democrats 10
all large cities North as II has been with tic Re
publican leaders In the South under carpet-bae
rule shall not attempt at this time a say One
word pro or con IN regard ID the Democratic
nominations Of this Stale, bat 10 deal directly
NJ, M,p s, ne nsReDcsn pSmlnalOns soasd On
Judge Knight speaks Cor himself Epfpppse
% speak Tor myself and i lay no claim 10 / lsfge
following II this course, the only confse that b
g present len for mo "a puFkle. Istart With
Two propositions. The one. that the Ri apltcan
s sos, ;oe puss county ess \ s
Of such en- quietly submit 10 Il without stultiiy.
ing themselves and their republican, nancdples, !
and degrading their manhood And de. oiher.
claim and Z a,n peT!setly s..issea thsy 4 esn