The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1891-05-06
EAT YOUR CROW.
GOODTS iSELESACRIFICE OF NO
AVAIL.
JOHN sTOCKTON's PAIR-THE DAY AND
HOUR SET FACTS sTRAIGHT-AN INTER-
VIEW WITH ONE WHO KNOws-HON S.
II. BITCH OF MARION.

The publication OF Hon. n. W. Goodies
card in yesterdays FLoRIDIAN was recog-
nized as an attempt to relieve MIR. John
N. G. Stockton of some measure OF the
odium thrust upon him by the prior state
ments made. Blu; it was also fully recog-
nized that Mr.. Goodies generous sef-sacri.
fee would avail little to clear Mr.. Stock
ION OF the suspicion his conduct had
brought upon him. The characterization
made by Judge Lotion Jones OF Jackson
vile, an ardent Call man, is universally
accepted as just and applicable:
II further desire to say that have
asked no member of the house to vote to
seat the contestants unless they had first
familarzed themselves with the evidence
in the case For a member of
the house to allow politics to influence
him, or any other consideration outside Of
the evidence, would be criminal or worse"
If it be true that '.'fools rush in where
angels fear to tread,' Judge Jones is the
angel in the case; as to the other party
we may consider another proverb more
applicable, ''every knave is more or
less fool
Realizing the importance of the matter
and it's interest to the readefs .of the
FLORIDIAN at this juncture, reporter
sought information from the Hon. Mr..
Bitch of Marion at his hotel. That gen
tleman, SO influential in the legislator
and so justly popular at home, grace
fully submitted himself 10 the inevitable
and made the following statements:
Said the reporter, Mr.. Bitch, have
you seen the card of Mr.. Goode of ST.
Johns, published in the FLORIDIAN Of
this morning?'
Yes" answered Mr.. Bitch, 81 have
seen it, and am willing 10 give any infor-
nation in my possession on that head. 1
have nothing to conceal
When did Mr. John n. G. Stockton of
Jacksonville approach you to propose a
pair between yourself and Mr. Goode?'
"On the morning of Mr.. Goodies depart
ure," replied Mr. Bitch. Mr.. Goode lett
Tallahassee on the morning train about 8
a. M, Friday, April "a. Mr.. Stockton spoke
to me on this matter soon aileL the lower
house convened at 10 a. M. on tie same
day."
What proposition did Mr. Stockton
make to yOu?'
"A page summoned me from my seat"
answered MIR. Bitch, Saying a gentle
man al the door wished 10 see me.
went and found Mr.. j. n. G. Stockton OF
jacksonville at the door, who requested an
interview. | went with him into the
library room, and lie asked me to pair aoih
Mr.. Goo0e on the contested election case from
Sunannaee. Said l, Mr.. Stockton, neither
the evidence nor the report Is before the
house and l am not prepared 10 say how L
shall vote"
Did you consider the proposition fair
one?"
No; to decide on partisan grounds a
matter of such importance was impossible"
said Mr.. Bitch.
Was the evidence accessible at that
timer"
No." said Mr.. Bitch decidedly, 1.-THE
report WAS submitted on that day FRIDAY,
"a but Immediately recommitted. MIR.
Stockton made the proposition 10 me Fri
day m )rning, and SIR. Goode. on his way
east at the time the proposition acas made TO
me By Mr.. Stockton, could not haze seen the
report. Consequently Dir. Stockton could
not have made the proposition to me on
any authority from Mr.. Goode 10 Mr..
Usina, since that authority was wired 10
Mr.. Usina alter Mr.. Goode had read the
majority report of the committee as MIR.
Goode himself says in bis published card"