Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1896-02-23
WHY HE CAME OUT
A FORT WORTH TAX-PAYER FOR
A NUMBER OF YEARS.
VIII Use No Brnss band Methods
Hut Appeals to the Calm
judgment Of Thought.
To the Voters of Fort Worth.

10 the Voters OF Fort Worth:
In view of the fact that since my an
houncement as a candidate for mayor
30 much has been said of rings and
cnQues, and In view of the further fact
that IN some instances | have az not
py direct Accusation yet by cunning
ihsinuation been accused OF some sort
OF connection with this. to me, most
mysterious organization. wish to
make plain. frank statement of the
facts leading up to my candidacy. For
three weeks preceding my announce
ment L was urged repeatedly by a
large number OF prominent business
men as well as many prominent in pro-
iessional circles to make the race, urg-
ing upon me that It was necessary for
me to make the sacrifice (for IT was
indeed sacrihce) and promising me
inc nearly support OF the business in
terests of the city.
After much elaboration and many
misglvings ms to the wisdom OF the
..op reluctantly consented to enter
the race, and as result Of that decIs-
Ion announced myself as a candidate
IN me city papers. l determined In the
lhclplency OF my candidacy that what
ever Others might do I would conduct
my campaign In dlgnited and manly
way; that being In no sense Of the
WORD Il politician, | would cschew the
ordinary brass lInd methods. so
nauseating, / fully believe. to thought
lul men, and leave my claims for sun
port to the Judgment Of my fellow citi-
zens.
This in brief Is the plain statement
OF me reasons which caused me to en-
Yer the race. and should not require
any denial from me Of completely or
connection with any ring or indeed any
other influences than those mentioned
above, but | am not only willing but
anxious that all the people shall fully
understand my position, and to that
end | say most emphatlcally first, that
/ am not member OF any ring or
clique OF whatsoever character.
2. am not the candidate OF any ring
or Clique ana am absolutely ignorant
or the existence of any such ring eX-
cept in so far as | have heard CprlncI-
pally from persons who We're seemingly
heretofore members thereof II talked
on the streets since my announcement.
l have not nor Will / make any pledge
or promise to any man or set OF men
save one and that | now make To Won
namely, that II elected | will give NV
time and whatever ability I possess TO
the faithful performance of my duty
NAAiANAA lfdl OF FAVOR.
II has also been urged arninst mo
that 1 have been a citizen of Fort
worth only short time, and therefore
II Is somewhat In the nature Of pre
sumption for me to ask at the hands
or my fellow citizens the great honor
you would undoubtedly confer upon mo
by my election. This is a matter for
you to consider and determine. and
while l will he satisfied with your de-
cision, desire that you be fully ad.
Nlsed or the facts In the case For
: or 10 years | have been engaged In
the lumber business In North Texas.
having large business In Fort Worth
and making 1t the GENITAL and dis
trlbutlng point for other yards, paying
taxes literally and promptly to both
city and county, and giving employ
ment to number OF men.
Three years ago | came amongst Won
to live and engaged In the wholesale
grocery trade. l came with the eNpec-
tation OF making my home here. hniIt
mot rented large business house and
went theoretically TO work not only TO
bulld up my own business but also tho
city of Fort Worth. and since that
time ! am glad to say | can point To
essential resultant benefits. not alto
Eether but in part due TO the efforts of
me company / represent. for Fort
Worth now deserves and enjoys tho
reputation of being the largest grocery
distributing center In North Texas
Since coming here to live my shoulder
mas always been found at the wheel
doing all | could towards the upbuild-
ing OF our city, and ! can say without
rear or successful contradiction that
there has been no public enterprise OF
Whatever nature to which | have NOT
heen ltberal contributor both OF INV
time and my means. True I have not
S9ne these things ostentatiously, but I
uid them nevertheless. aud solely for
the reason that had confidence in the
future of our city and considered II NOT
only n duty hut q pleasure to do ali
L could In furthcrance of her interests
make these statements not for tho
purpose or parading my affairs before
the public but solely to the end that
You may act advisedly when you cast
your vote.
have learned even thus early In this
campaign. and to my sorrow. that a
man who offers for an Office may ex
neet mueh IN the way OF smirching and
thnt the pestilcntial breath of the
slanderer will be poured out upon him.
put l nave an abiding faith in the in
born fairness Of the people OF Fort
Worth, and shall therefore make no
enort TO contradict anything OF SLIM
derous nature by whomsoever uttered
peiieNing In the end that the people
VIII arrive at conservative opinion
upon such matters and that In the end
tney VIII prove TO be boomerangs that
VII react upon those whose ebony |
hued consciences would we'll nigh
naiila the cleansing blood OF the lowly
arcne, with these facts before yon |
my FELLOW citizens, l leave the case In |
your hands without coming before YOU |
win other explanations or reasons why |
YOU should support me. II you feel |
mat | am the proper person to occupy |
mogistracy OF your city viii |
essr ueem II great honor and will |
~ administration as hope VIII \
ue pieaslng to you and reflect credit |
upon myself IL you think some one
eise can and Will serve you better
Miu Win malice towards none sten
oach WIN the rank and file again ana |