The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-03-31
o. R. Singleton.

I the press upon the re election of O. X
Singleton TO Congress, ] desire TO make
few plain, matterof fact statement:
/ that cannot fail to have some weight
upon unpreiudiced minds. / wish. to
reach the Democrats of Mississippi
through the columns OF TIE CLARION,
both because OF its large circulation and
the known fairness with which 1t repre-
-ents matters Of public interest.
without entering into a useless con-
trOversy with the newspapers of Col.
sing et0ns district, ! would direct your
attention 10 the fact that the only charge
brought against him is that he has been
u Congress long enough and must now
give place to Young, ambitious 2spirants,
regardless Of his experience in national
affairs and lis influence acquired by
Years Of usefulness under the most ad-
verse circumstances, and regardless Of
the fact that it requires a whole session
FOR 4 new NJ. c." 70 familiarize himself
with the intricate working Of national
legislation. Washington critics say the
speeches of new members are scarcely
istened 70, and one of our present Rep
resentatives says j. took him his first
month there TO find out what was going
$50 lU# e is LHe aUalr.
Although Col. Singleton promised in
the last canvass not TO become a candi-
date again and has kept his word, he
'as felt it his duty to say in answer to
scores OF letters insisting upon his again
Standing for Congress, that il ais con
-gituenls actually desired it and would
make him their candidate, he would not
lesert them. Can YOU conceive of a
fairer proposition than this?
But his trusting the matter to the peO-
p' is exactly what has raised this fqror
The press Of his district, playing the
role Of Honest Iago," has been teemiug
with kindly % advice to the dear cold
war hOTss" not to sacrifice himself TO
iefeat at the Congressional Convention,
because, continue his advisers, they
love him so, and at the same time use
the keenost satire to besmirch his
lair sa-ne-his spotless record!
Ii they believe his defeat assured,
why do they not leave him alone
20 meet his fate? Or if they so be-
Iieve in and honor him as they pre-
tend TO do, why do they seek to force
defeat upon him? Are they really
AFRAID to let him come before the peo
pie, lest they should be fools enough( p to
elect him, and therefore seek they to
righten him from his purpose, and thus
-trangle his candidacy in its infancy?
Yes, most assuredly. 80, what a
goodly outside falsehoOd hathr'
It is alleged that he has done little or
nothing rs d member Of Congress; that
he has never had public building
erected IN his district. No, he has not,
because there is no United States Court
held in il, DO custom office, no large
o:ty where a fine post-o6iee building is
needed, aut, he has been too c0nscien
uous TO steal the peoples money for his
9wn aggraud cement. III his detractors
VIII turn TO the Congressional Record,
they vii find that il was upon his mo-
sion, and after a speech made by him
Col. Hooker being sick and absent at
the time) that the appropriation was
made for the erection Of United States
Custom and Court House at Jackson, |
,be only one at that time in the State.
Again, tAey viii fEd that no appro-
pri8tiOns were ever made for Upper |
Pearl River and Tchula Lake except |
through his efforts. He has voted and |
sided in every legitimate enterprise /
tendiug to improve and promote the |
prosperity Of our State.
He has spoken and voted against the |
unjust eXacti0ns Of railroad monOpolies. !
lie has spoken and voted in favor of |
.he Southern Pacific Railroad rs com |
pettive route TO the Pacific Ocean. He |
spoke against the know-N0thing organi- |
zation and went down before the mad |
1ess of the hour; the only time he 3eas de-
trrFef9 Eayls+o he 4,eoy1le {lc7t3ee}gee
He resisted with all lis strength (vote |
md voice) the Electoral Commission, by |
which a great nation was swindled out |
IF its choice for President, while others |
who aided in it's passage are now enjoy
ing higher hOnors than have ever fallen |
10 his lot.
As to his present position in Congress, |
he is chairman of the Committee on the |
(NationaI Library, hav
ing taken it through choice, being much |
in, and having reported to
Congress a bill to erect a new Library |
0ui ding to cover three acres of ground, |
1t cost of S3,000,000 and which would |
hold our present library of 543, 600 !
books, 10000 pamphlets, 400 600 copy
right productions, 300,000 engraviugs, |
. 600 maps etc. Ifsuccessful, this build |
ing will be a monument to his name and
influence The fact is, he was chosen by
the Speaker to accomplish this very re
suit. The last man who held this posi-
ton before him was 5. S. Cox, and at
another time, ard even now in the
Senate d. w VOORHEES, is its chairman,
with Senators Hoar and Edmouds upon
it. 1t is no mean place, and he is not
of il.
Bes des, he is member of the Com
mittee on Foreign Relations most
important position that requires men of
brains.
He is one of the Regents of the Smith
sonian Institute, with Chief Justice
Waite, Senator's Mcpherson, Maxey,
Edmons, Professor Gray, Gen. Meiggs,
and others equally distinguished.
He was for six years member of the
Appropriation Com'aittee and had
charge, all the while, of the bill relating
to the Consular and Diplomatic service
As elector on the Pierce ticket he car
ried his district against Gen. Miles on
the Scott ticket. His votes and speeches
have escaped criticism from the press
and fro,a his opponents on the stump.
No breath of censure has ever been
heard until now, as to his integrity, his
motives or conduct.
If all these do not make up an honor
able and useful record, then life is too
short for such q purpose.
do not think Col. Singleton cares
particularly about being returned to
Congress, bat am sure he values his good
name more than life itself, and that he
feels that the attacks upon him have
been wauton, cruel and lacking in the
very essentials of manhood or bravery
and that il concerns the people as much
rs it does himself TO resent and rebuke
those who are pursuing SO relentlessly,
one who has been an honored and de
clared leader for many years and IN so
many eventful periods
Respectfully,
MISSISSIPPI DEMOCRAT.
The Origin ola Common Expression.
ssNot lost, but gone before" is very
expression, and yet its true