Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1886-07-24
The Judicial Canvass in DeKalb
County.

To the Standard.
Your townsman, Hon. M. ID Small
man, has been for nearly two weeks
engaged in a canvass of this county,
and without asking you to endorse
the report here given, a little space is
asked for a brief account of his doings
and progress.
His adversaries will hardly be less
interested than his friends in a true
report of his strength, since it may
aid them in framing work against
him. Nothing but what the writer
will vouch for is here given, and the
proof shall be forthcoming if neces-
sary. 1t is therefore hoped that for
the accommodation of all parties you
will admit it to your columns.
Mr.. Smallman's first speech in the
county was at Richardson's Mills.
Thepeople about this place had been
inclined to vote against him, because
they understood him to bean avowed
prohibitionist. His speech was able,
and anyone could see that as he pro-
crossed he gained the confidence Of
his hearers. He said that he had
never declared himself either for or
against prohibition; thaton this ques-
ton it was not fair to demand of a
candidate for judge that he take sides,
since judge cannot help or hinder
the prohibition movement any more
than a private citizen. He consider
ed the bringing of this question into
his canvass, or that of other candi-
dates except those seeking legislative
honors, a mean species of demagogue-
ism and such as he could not and
would not practice. He showed clear
ly that he understood the duties of
the judicial office, and manifestly i'm
pressed his hearers with the belief
that he would discharge them faith
fully and efficiently. Subsequent re-
ports from indisputable authority say
that he made great gains there and
his strength is still increasing.
His speech at Dowelltown deserves
special mention. This place is the
republican stronghold of this county,
and here Mr.. Smallman was met and
opposed by Hon. w. B. Stokes who
advocated the claims of Judge Will
Jams. Col. Stokes made some vio-
lent attacks on Mr.. Smallman, but
even prominent republicans say that
the victory was in every instance
with Smallman. Col. Stokes made
himself very vulnerableby attacks on
a candidate for chancellor, who had
served faithfully as private federal
soldier, and many republicans, for
this reason, take up the man whom
Stokes abuses.
AT Alexandria there was a repeti-
ton of the Dowelltown affair, with
similar results. AT Smithville
Mr.. Smallman spoke to a very
large crowd, and it is certain that no
candidate who ever spoke here came
nearer winning the whole number of
those who had been opposed to him.
Col. Stokes was present but would
not speak, although Mr.. Smallman
repeatedly challenged him to the
combat. With democrats, the fact
that Col Stokes has become an elector
for Judge Williams is sufficient
ground for their support of Smallman,
and many republicans care for no
better reason for casting their votes
in the same way.
1t is an assured fact that if other
counties do. like DeKalb, McMinn-
vile will furnish the next circuit
judge by very large majority.
l cannot close without saying that
no candidate was ever more popular
in this county than Warren's candi.
date for Attorney General, Mr.. w,
V. Whitson.