The Brookhaven leader., 1885-10-29
A Fatal Doiusion.

ring-p"inL TO Watts success In
past el, ctions, and on this jump at
the conclusion that he is a great
popular ravorlle and can't he beaten.
IL was nothing less than this short
sighted sort OF reasoning that led
them TO concentrate upon him as
their champion, for in truth they
have no confidence either in his abil-
Ity or integrity. 1t was anything,
Lord, for a make SHIFT, and as Watts
was in the market, they grabbed
him.
Let us look for moment for the
key to Waits past successes. He
was first elected over McGrath and
Hodges by a mere plurality, not q
majority of all the votes cast, by
over five hundred. In that election
he was supported mainly by Col
ored Republicans and the most igno-
rant whites in the county, while
Hodges and MeGrath were support
ed by Democrats and the best ele-
ment Of all parties. So far was he
from being considered endorsed by
the real people OF Lincoln county,
that when he reached the Lcgisla
turc he was not permitted to enter
the Democratic Councils, bot was
barred outside with the goats and
dry cattle.
Two years ago he was elected by
o mere combination Otto him
fortuitous circumstances, and in no
sense on account or any merit OF his
own, or because the people really
desired him. DR.. Applewhite, who
then intended contestipg the field
with him, was unexpectedly nomi-
mated for Floater, and late in the
canvass Watts was opposed by DR..
II. Z. Atkins, a candidate who,
though amply able to discharge the
duties of the Office, was politically
and personally, one of the most un-
popular men in the county. More
over, a large, number of voters sup
ported Watts in that election solely
on the ground of his being friendly
to the reappointment Of our honored
Circuit Judge while large num-
Der of others supported him on the
profession that he would procure
the enactment of County prohibi-
tory lquor law. Thus he won q
second time.
But how does the case stand to.
aay? Known to be lacking in both
the brains and clements OF character
which a Representative of Lincoln
county should.possess, and brought
face to face in contest with one oil
the ablest and most popular men in
the county, with no third person to
split the vote, the result is easily an
ticipated. The issue of the Judge,
ship is dead one, and on that he
will not receive a vote. No friend
of Prohibition will again support
him-not so much on account of his
reversed position per Sc on the Ii
quor question, as because they re-
gard him as without influence and
unworthy to be trusted on any pub
lie issue Of moment. They remem.
Der his pretensions of two years ago;
how he bunglingly got prohibitory
bill through the House and then, as
the writer is informed on the author
ity of two Honorable Senators, used
all the influence he possessed to
have it defeated in the Senate.
Lincoln county people who GO
abroad occasionally are ashamed o!
being twitted about having such an
intellectual pigmy, such political
nondescript and moral bankrupt to
represent-or rather, to misrepre,
sent-them, and now that they have
such splendid opportunity to do
better, they are going to improve it.
With us and hundreds of others in
this county, the question of an Elec-
tive Judiciary. Railroad Supervision,
Local Option, Repeal of the Lien
Law, etc, are absolutely of seconda
ry consideration to this. We favor
Applewhite and hope to see him
elected simply on the broad prlnci
pie that be will faithfully, ably and
correctly represent the people Of
Lincoln county and Watts will not
Since the Hon. V. B. discovered
that it isn't such a popular thing as
he thought to oppose Local Option
10 q, oboor;nr HE toof;oo anJ uovc