The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1884-06-15

HE REPLIES BY TELEGRAPH TO
GOV. DREW's CHARGES.
ST. CIair-Abrams Interviews Him and
Sends Us the Result by Wire
Drew Flatly COntradicted
Damaging Charges Re-
tOrted-MOre to Come.
pecial dispatch to the Times-Unfon.

| Special dispatch to the Times Union.
TALLAHASSEE, FLA, June 12.-I have
| to-day had an interview with Gov. BlOX-
ham, and learn from him that it will be
impossible for him to have his statement
| in answer to the scandalous assertions Of
| Ex-Governor Drew ready for publication
in time for your tO-mOrrOw's issue. Be
lieving that the real purpose of the
charges made by Drew was to make po-
litical capital with the conventions which
meet on Saturday, I take the response
bility of telegraphing in advance what |
understand to be the facts in the case.
Governor Bloxham was not aware,
until the interview was published, that
his relations with Governor Drew were
other than cordial, as his correspondence
with that gentleman and the social rela-
tions existing between the two families
would fully indicate.
No such pledges as Drew claims were
made by Governor BlOxham, ever were
made. The statement of Drew, in these
particulars, is a fabrication. BlOXham'S
first letter, in 1880, declaring himself not
candidate, was induced by the num-
Der of letters he received urging him to
make the race. He had nothing what
ever to do with Captain Dykes action,
urging his nomination; but, on the con-
trary, repeatedly protested against it.
d
and Drew, in the Secretary of States Of
fee, Bloxham never pledged himself not
to be candidate.
AS showing the falsehood and duplici-
ty of Drew in this charge, the fact was
that in that interview Governor BlOxham
proposed to Drew that both retire from
the contest and unite in using their in
f1uence in securing the nomination of
General Finley. This proposition was
made by Bloxham, after a consultation
with Drew, in which the hOpelessness of
Drew'8 nomination was discussed. BlOx-
ham offered to sacrifice himself. Drew
partially assented to the proposition and
agreed to telegraph Bloxham from Jack
sonville if he determined on taking this
course, after consultation with some of
his friends.
The interview in Jacksonville referred
to in Drew's interview was the result of
a telegram received from Drew by BlOx-
ham, requesting his presence in Jack
sonville. Bloxham went there suppOs-
ing that his suggestion had been accept
ed. Only P. P. Bishop and Drew were
present at the interview. Neither Gen.
Finley or Captain Inglis were at the time
present. P. P. Bishop proposed that
Bloxham withdraw and leave the field
open to Drew.
Governor Bloxham never promised to
publish any letter in the Union with
drawing from the canvass. He never
promised to write letter and place it in
Raney's hands for any purpose, as Ra-
ney was at that time warm supporter
of Drew and a strong opponent of his.
Drew's statements in this regard are ut
terly untrue.
On this visit to Jacksonville, and after
this interview, two prominent citizens of
Jacksonville informed Gov. Bloxham
that Drew had declared that he would
not support him if he was nominated.
BlOxham investigated the matter, and
found that the report was true. He,
therefore, determined to leave the can
vass in the hands of his friends, and to
abide their decision. They insisted upon
his remaining in the field and his nomi-
nation was the result.
The Governors denial of the scandal
of Drew will be sweeping and unquaIi-
fed.
And now, since Governor Drew has
seen fit to inaugurate a campaign of per-
sonal detraction, think it might be best
for him to explain to the people whose
sutfrages he is seeking why the indem-
nifty certificates for some 5000 acres of
land, issued to the state of Florida, were
withheld by him or his friends for many
months from the Land Office, where
they properly belonged, until few
hours before he retired from the guber-
material chair, when he delivered them
to the Land Office, and a few days later
purchased the greater part, or all of
them. When Governor Drew can ex-
plain this disgraceful transaction, which
is matter of record, propose to get
him to explain other transactions, which
equally demonstrate his unfitness for the
Office TO which he aspires.
ALEX. ST. CLAIR-ABRAMS.
\ Dangerous Charger