Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-11-29
NOMINEE FRANK v EVANS
w rites an Open Letter 10 Mr.. c.
F. EnSlen
ANSWERING ALL QUESTIONS
Ard rendering Him the Compliments of the
Season-Honest and Manly Refutation
of all Direct and indirect Charges.
Birmingham. Ala, Nov. IS, 1896.

B. mngham. Ala, Nov. 2S, 1896.
Mr.. Christian f. Ensen, city
My Dear Nh Enslen: Pardon me for not
replying yesterday to the interrogatories
propounded by you anent the city cam
paign. \ rush of peculiar business and
the effect of a Thanksgiving turkey
caused me to overlook my correspond
ents. You see, politics and holiday food
do not mix we'll; and sometimes disturb
the equinimity of a man like me- Pardon
my delay in rendering you the compH-
ments of the Thanksgiving season. L
trust you have had a pleasant time and
the profit of valuable experience in the
field Of contest for political honors has
been your portion. 1t has mine. I've
had a real live time of it.
In your published communication in an
evening paper you complained that the
Ring" ambushed behind Anxious In
quirel,' troubles you with too many
questions Be patient, Mr.. Enslen
have to be. | am not in any way respon-
sible for the desire for light or the ignor-
ance of Anxious Inquirer Really, |
could not answer his questions myself.
know nothing of the several subjects
upon which he seems to want light. But
to the questions you asked me yesterday,
numbered | to 10. No. | was answered
fully in card I published in the State
Herald few days ago. Read the pa
pers. No. 2-Mr Gray tells me posi-
lively. and he is man of integrity, that
he does not own 81 of stock in the water
company. Mr.. Graham Is, | believe, sec
rotary OF the water company, and a man
of the very highest standing in this COM
pany. ] do not think he would like to
see the water works sold to the city, for
thereby he would be deprived of a hand
some salary. i have not asked Mr..
Graham about the meters 3. You will
have to go to the records l was in no
way connected with the city administra-
tion when the proposed purchase was UNI
der discussion. q. Go to the records.
/ know nothing about that, as | was not
connected with the city government at
that time ). Go to the records, as other
citizens do. | was not connected Withsthe
admin stration at the time, and have no
personal knowledge of the facts. g. Go
10 the records | was not connected with
the city administration at the time Z
Go to the records. | was not connected
with the city administration at the time.
S. The people in primary election selected
them Who selected your ticket? Why,
Mr. Enslen. don't you know | do not fa-
vor open bawooms on Sunday? / never
told the saloon men [ did. Did you? g. n
ring is a valuable thing, whisky lux
ury at times and water a necessity In
political contests they sometimes play a
part How much whisky and water have
you dealt out to your constituents this
week? 10. If Anxious Inquirer is so
naughty as to oppose honest elections
he is no friend of your friend Evans. for
/ certainly am in favor OF an honest pal
lot and a fair count.
My Dear Mr.. Enslen these are my an
sWerS to the ten question, NOW, MI Ems
len, you come again with this question::
will not Mr. Evans explain. oven his
own signature his connection with GER
tain bond deal, while he was city treas"
urer the law positively prohibiting him
having any connection with such a deal
and VIII Mr.. Evans please tell what was
his share of the profits?
No, Mr. Enslen, | never bought any
city of Birmingham bonds while | was
city treasurer. In January 1884. after
my term of office expired your SON Mr..
E. Il. Enslen and myself bought an is
sue of city bonds. / went to New York
with Mr.. S. Steiner. where we sold them
and divided the profit, about 81, 800 Eu
gene received one third Steiner one third
and Evans one-third the profits. Don't
you remember, Mr., I1nslen. that this
transaction was carried on through your
bank, of which your son, my friend Eu-
gene is cashier?
Wish YOU would do me the Kindness
10 present to the brigadier general who
is editor-in- chief of your organ, the
compliments of the season from me, and
hasten to tell him all about this bond
deal He is a great friend of mine, you
know, has proven himself to be time and
again. and | know the nsinuation that
/ am a wrong-doer pains him Woefully.
BY the way, you and the general are
earnestly invited to come around to the
city hall next Wednesday night and see
a democratic mayor and eighteen demo-
cratic aldermen indicted into office We
will be glad to see you, and shall hope for
your best wishes.
With full assurance of my friendship
and high regard for you, personally, and
again presenting to you compliments of
the season, | remain
Yours "still In it,"
FRANK V. EVANS.