The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1888-10-16
PROPHECY FULFILLED.

Versy recently between w. ~. Cnlpley,
Chairman of the Democratic State Execu-
tive Committee, and John Eagan, Repub-
iican candidate for Acknowledgement. 1t
seems that Eagan and Shipman, Republi-
can candidate for Governor, on returning
fro m the Ocala convention, were sitting
on the side of Eagan's berth in the sleeping
car discussing the prospects of the Rerub
lican ticket, which had just been nomina-
ted. Mr.. Willard, member of the Dem
ocratic State Executive Committee, occu-
pied berth opposite Eagan's, and over
heard portions of the conversation Will
lard repeated to Col. Chipley, that be had
heard Eagan say that the Republicans had
a6ghting chance this year, because, for the
first time in twenty years, the county Off
GERS would be elected, and the opportunity
was fine for swapping county offices for
votes for the Republican ticket.
Col. Chipley was using this evidence
of the treachery of the Republican leaders
with such effect in Escambia county,
that Eagan was driven to an open letter
in his own defense. He denied using the
language attributed to him, but admitted
that he did say "that the chances were
good, as this year the county officers
would be elected, and that would open
field for combinations"
Whether the language used by Mr..
Eagan, on the occasion referred to, was
that he was charged with, or that which
he admits, is of no consequence. Taking
either horn of the dilemma, he stands
convicted of planning with his chief
system of treachery, by which local Re-
publicans-the men who do the work and
the voting for the party-were to be sold
out for the benefit of any Democrats, who
were base enough to become parties to
the nefarious bargain.
Eagan's worthy chief was not slow to
see the advantage to himself of such a
course, and to adopt the plan suggested.
When he arrived in Tallahassee, accom-
panied by Jesse H. Goss, that fossil relic
OF the judicial infamy of radical days, re-
Gently exhumed by the party of progress,
hewas visited at the hotel by John McDou-
gall, a renegade Democrat, who acted as
master of ceremonies in escorting them to
the hall, where the Republican County
Convention u,oo -, oooc;o,
1t turns out that it was cut and dried
that McDougall should be nominated for
Clerk of the Circuit Court, and that an
entire slate, preparedi1 ,.iorehand, and
composed chiefly Of deserters from the
ranks of the Democracy, should be put
through the Convention whether or no.
What stronger confirmation could there
be of bargain to advance the interests
of the State Republican ticket at the ex-
pense of the Democracy and the local
Republicans Why should the latest
offices in the county be bestowed upon
Democrats, and that, too, without the
slightest opposition, unless there was a
trade? Why not give these offices, if cleo
ton was assured, to some of those faith
full Republicans, who have borne the heat
and burden of the day-who have al
ways stood at the post of duty, and have
ever been loyal to their party?
1t may be answered that they could
not give the required bond. But
is this true? Did not Stewart
give bond for two terms as postmaster
Then why could he not do so, if he were
elected county clerk? Did not every
colored man, who was elected city mar
shall, when that Office was combined with
the Office of collector, give the bond re-
quired? Could not any negro in the
county, with average intelligence and
modicum of morals, get up bond with
as much facility as Weeks d?
No, this is specious argument to d.
vert attention from the true inwardness
of this combination. There has been
treachery on both sides. The leaders of
the Republicans have sold out the rank
and file of their own party and treache-
rous Democrats, who are unable to deliver
the goods bargained in return, are to reap
the reward If they get there
Eagan, thou standest revealed
prophet
If the "solid South" should ever be
split, says the Savannah Neacs, the coun-