The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1897-06-04
Taa cgiaIEY galAY IG1g1a


dodge. 1t is dingy aud shop-worIf: II
is raised to attract attention; to bring
about disorder, so that the real thief
can make his escape in the din and
confusion that follows.
All this fuss and fury as to 'who
stole that letter. is done for this very
purpose. 1t is done to "sidetrack" the
real issue. II is done to draw public
attention from its contents. 1t is done
to cover up the moral aud political
obloquy which the publication Of the
letter discloses.
Who believes that John n. G.
Stockton entered the residence of Il.
]. TRAY in the night time-a house
of which he was nnacquainted-and
passing five overcoats and Il whole
clothing establishment of other APP
parel, went directly 10 the particular
coat that contained the Chil,ley letter
and distracted it from the particular
pocket i'm which it was slowed away
and made his escape without disturb
ing the household
How did John stockton know that
such letter had ever been written?
Mi Stockton says that he got the
letter in a !awidl manner; that its
contents were Of such a public charac-
ter that he believed be was doing
public duty in making the startling
disclosures pubic,
IN doing 50, has a public duty been
performed9 II 50, has Mr.. Stockton
done right or wrong?
The legislature had just set him al
example 1t had just made public the
private ana confidential corresponds
ence between Mr.. Collins and Mr.. Me
Council and between Mr.. Stockton
and Mr. Mcconnell.
These letters were purely private and
confidential, and some of them did not
bear even remotely on the subject
matter the legislature had under in
vestigatiOn.
On one occasion Colonel Chipiey
found Senator Calls pocket-book, con-
tanning, as he claimed, among other
things. free railroad passes and tele-
graphic franks, and while it is true the
pocket-book was returned 10 its owner,
it was not returned until after it was
searched and its contents made public.
The Citizen. nor the Metropolis, nor
any other corporation newspaper. tore
its hair in virtuOus Indignation be-
cause these private and confidential
letters and the contents of this private
poeket-book were distracted and made
public, bat it was the disclosures made
by their publication that filled these
highly moral newspapers with very
indignation, modification aud shame
But when this letter from Mr.. TRAY
to Colonel Chipley is made public
and discloses state Of moral and pO-
litical debauchery that is shocking TO
the public conscience as no other pub
LEGATION has ever been before, the lips
of these newspapers are sealed
as to The disclosures and the
editors try to create the impression
that the only crime connected with
it is the manner in which the letter
was obtained and its contents made
public.
Gentlemen, this will not do. The
public is not so easily deceived.
What do the contents of this letter
signify?
Mr.. Owens, in making his campaign
in Lake county for election to the leg
islature, solemnly pledged his constit-
uents, it is publicly stated, that he
would not vote for Colonel Chipley on
any consideration. After being in Lake
county from February 3 to February
70, Mr.. TRAY writes to Colonel Chip
ley that he has Owens safely landed
and his vote is certain. Mr.. Owens
goes to Tallahassee and in the wind-up
of the senatorial combat is found in
the Chipley column. Putting these
facts together. TRAYS letter, Owens
pledges to his constituents and his
final vote for Chipley, what is the in
ference to be drawn?
Speaking of Mr.. McIin, Mr.. TRAY
says, "Ie has under advsement The
situation you suggested"
We learn from this that Mr.. Chip
ley is in daily correspondence with
his agent, Mr.. TRAY, and has sug-
gestSd certain lire Of campaign. In
addition, Mr.. TRAY informs him that
Mr.. McLin is painfully hard-up."
The most stupid can understand
why this information was given.
Then see how the honorable, up
right Baker was to be approached!
We understand from this letter that
Mr.. TRAY made a regular tour of the
state, and whenever it was possible
and practicable left free railroad pass
es and souvenir checks.
We have public acknowledgement
OF this from the Citrus county Chr0ni-
Gle when he visited that county. From
Lake he was to visit Putnam county,
and was to continue the practice of
the same line of tactics.
The mind halts and the heart grows
sick at the very suggestion this letter
discloses.
Like the blood on Lady Macbeth's
hands, the shame that it will bring TO
its authors even the attrilion of time
will not rub of.
Like Banquo's ghost, it will rise at
every successive campaign to torment
its authors.
In view of the disclosures this letter
makes public, the honest sentiment of
the state is to he more ana more con-
graduated upoG Mr.. Mallory's election.
In his election public morality
scored a most decided and deciaive
victory.