The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1884-07-15
Nomination of Mr.. Dougherty.

Kissimee Bitter-Sweet.
It is with unqualified appreciation we
announce the nomination of this gen le-
man by the Palatka convention. Willie
here in Orange county it is regarded as
but a sequel to the rebuke of the grand
jury, ard a practical step toward the
needed reform of the political corruption
which has for eight years embarrassed
the finances and locked up every avenue
of merit by the control of a vicious poll
teal ring, in larger sense it is a step
toward the yindication of the district.
Had one of the old clique been chosen,
or even uleritorious young man of North
Florida, his canvass would have been
embarrassed by that deep-seated distrHst
Of party manipulation in that section
which prevails in South Florida. We 10
not say that this distrust of a section is
deserved. Indeed, among the most Per
sistent advocates Of reform are found in
the Jacksonville Times-Union and TIE
PALATKA News, and many names men
toned in connection with the Office are
pronounced reformers. None the less,
the evil done by the performance of one
section of the state in political effs rs
could be most satisfactorily met by lhe
nomination of one Unidentified with South
Florida.
No representation Of the sentiment of
Orange county could be more false tIan
that industriously circulated by ind s.
trious opponents to Mr.. DOugherty BE-
fore the nomination, who were them
selves disappointed aspirants for off aes
whose trusts they had not faithfully full
filed.
They have told that Mr.. Doughe ~
was inexperienced, uneduCated, extray-
agant, etc. The facts of Mr.. Dougher-
tvs career are such Of which his coun ry
is deservedly proud. Inheriting mod
est competence, instead of passing tine
IN li8tless Incidence, he studied practical
navigation, shipping, etc. We have
heard more than one anecdote of his
business capacity; his hardihood and ad-
venturous character in wrecking or sal
wage, off our dangerous east coast, whom
scarcely man. His political career has
been one of marked and brilliant success,
representing his county in the Legislature
and twice presiding over its proceedings.
His liberality, his rough, strong sen5e,
and plain energetic language are hut
elements of the character indicated 10y
his bold business habits.
He is emphatically worker There
is a contrast between this blunt direct
ness, and the Macheiavelin policy of his
opponent Mr.. Bisbee. The latter is pro
fessedIy, and cOnfessedly an artfGl,
political opponent, of the most corrupt
practices Of a most corrupt period. While
his success is due partly to these quail
ties, and partly to division in the demo-
cratic party, he is, perhaps, the Only
member of congress retaining position so
long, who is not Unidentified with any
measure of reform even in his own par Y;
and who has never made q speech or
motion in the house to lift him even TO
the lowest standard of mediocrity. As a
republican, he has consOrted with those
most odious to respectable republicans.
As IL representative there is not one meas
IRE in which he appears as the represen-
tative of South Florida. This hostility
to the deepening, Strengthening of the St.
Johns, brought on him the just censIsre
of Hon. H. S. Sanford, prominent re-
publican of Orange county.
But whenever it is possible, or necos-
sary to Mr.. Bisbee's interests to slanGer
Florida; to dcnounce the white popua-
ton as riotous assassins, he has been the
swift witness of SANDER. That he is
adroit, an able and astute lawyer and
that he has prosecuted people of the Cis-
trict. For all his ability in such arts, we
90 not think Mr.. Bisbee understar is
state craft, or political economy. HC is
as he states-a lawyer. Nothing ell a;
but in no sense a representative man Of
his own or any party.
To oppose such the people offer gen
tgeman blunt, bold a ready DICTATOR and
one by nativity, election, and busin IS
identified with South Florida Mr.. Dou@ Il
erty by his previous career has shown
that address and aptitude which warrants
our confidence in his success. We De-
heve in natural ability and experience,
he is the most formidable opponent to
Mr.. Bisbee the party could have pre-
sented
We hail his nomination as in every
way admirable We believe he will carry
the district by safe majority, thereby
strengthening reform principles, and
helping to redeem the state from the
thraldom of vicious parties and politics.
Mr. Blaine, we are told, speaks German
with all the ease and rotund fullness OF
a Saxon" In this he is considerably
nh. g IL - I