The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-09-27
WEEKS FIGHT IN FLORIDA.
a Sample of the POpulist Candi-
dates Speeches.


Ocala, Fla, Sept. 26.-It may interest
many Of your readers in Florida who
have never heard Mr.. Weeks, the popu-
list candidate for governor speak,
to know what he talks about. As he
made two speeches in Ocala yesterday,
we can outline the substance of his talks.
In the morning he devoted himself to the
silver question The evening he devoted
to giving the causes that led to the de-
monetization of silver. He then took up
state issues and paid his compliments to
Gov Bloxham and some of his acts dur
ing his first term, notably his negotiation
with Dsston for 100000 acres of land
which he designated az the ''Ocochoobee
land steal" This transaction has moth
ing to do with the sale of 100000 acres
sold to Mr.. Disston by the state trustees
IN 1872, and which Gov. Bloxham always
explains, Mr.. Weeks claims. when ques-
toned on the Disston land SALE entirely
ignoring this last named charge. Mr..
Weeks produced documents showing the
result of the investigating committee of
the legislature, headed by Mr.. Daniels,
stating that Mr.. Disston had not COM
piled with his contract, and was not en-
titled to that land and the state had re-
ceived nothing for it. Later, the state
again decided the land to Mr.. Disston,
and Mr.. Weeks claims it was done
through Gov. Bloxham, and that he had
a pecunary interest in the transfer. The
populist candidate for governor has chal-
lenged Gov. Bloxham TO deny this charge
and make a satisfactory explanation of
the transaction.
Mr.. Weeks said he was entitled to the
vote of all genuine believers in the resto-
ration Of silver at l6 to |, as Gov. Blox-
ham was a gold bug before his nominal
ton, and now for policy's sake he buzzed
a silver tune.
Mr. Weeks took up the platforms of the
| democratic party and the populist party
and compared them. He said there was
only one specific demand, and that was
for an enlarged appropriation for the sup
port of the state militia, while his plat
form demanded a reform in our elections,
a repeal of the poll tax prequisite, the
| election of county commissioners, of pros
ecuting attorneys, judges and fair repre-
sentation on election boards OF all parties;
| reforms demanded by the present exegen-
cies OF the state. He denied the state
ment that Gov. Bloxham has been making
to the people in his speeches that under
democratic rule the state saved annually
100000 in state taxes alone, but forget
ting to state what has been the increase
in county taxes during these years Take
the records of the state during these years,
get the amounts of taxable property and,
Mr. Weeks says, 1t proves that taxation
under democratic rule exceeds those I'M
| der carpet bag rule. He then related his
| experience in the legislature when he I'M
| troduced his tax bill, including railroads,
stocks, bonds and cash. He said the dem
ocrats admitted 1t was a little too radi-
| cal-or they would like 10 vote for it--and
| he asked them to amend II, but no amend
| ment was offered. The bill passed the
| House, but the Senate called a caucus
n
and corporations ruled and controlled the
| acts of the legislature, as they did the late
| state convention. He said he wanted a
free vote and fair count, and IL he was
defeated on that basis he would grace
fully submit, but if defeated by unfair
means, he would invoke the aid of the su-
preme court through quo war
ranto and compel the democrats
to prove the election was fair and hon
est. He made no threats, but he would
have justice and equity or raise sheol He
was small in statue, but could cover a
| hg stretch of country, as he came from
a country which some one had said was
made up of paupers pine knots and pop
ulists. He was convinced the principles
of the populists were correct, and If beat
en- this year, they would pop up serenely'
at the next election ana contend until
| their principles prevailed and brought re-
| lief to the people Mr.. Weeks speech SEEM
ed 10 please MS audience greatly, and he
was enthusiastically cheered, though there
were more democrats and republicans in
the audience than populists. The speak
| er insisted that Watson should be recog-
nlzed as the vice presidential nominee.
Capt. Thomas j. CIary, confed-
crate veteran, aged SO, died last
| night, after a lingering illness.
He was at the breaking out of
| the war a prominent and wealthy citizen
Granville
ident Of Ocala for twelve years He was
a devoted member OF the. Presbyterian
church, and a highly respected citizen
| Albert Hiram Birdsey will be married
to Mary Anna Martin on Oct Z. They are
| among the leaders of our society world.