The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1898-02-02
STEVENS TO STATES VOTERS.
FORMALLY ENTERS THE RACE FOR
AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER.
The Terrell Farmer Now Acti yely in
the Arena Of State Politics. Will
Wage an Active Camnaign.


AS stated in the last issue of THE
NEWS that he would do, Hon. O. B.
Stevens gave his formal announcement
for the office of commissioner Of agri-
culture to the press last week and re-
leased it for publication Saturday.
The announcement is characteristic of
the man-plain, straightforward and
terse, yet modest. His candidacy has
met with flttering reception by al
classes of people in all parts of the
state Strong endorsements of it are
coming daily from the press and people
of southern, middle, eastern, western
and northern Georgia, and that Mr.,
Stevens will have vigorous and enthusi-
astic support in every county OF the state
is an insured fact
From now on Mr.. Stevens will wage
vigorous campaign. In few days he
will start on A campaign tour and will
visit number of counties before he re-
turns home and tell the people in person
what his claims are for the Office.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT.
Mr.. Stevens formal announcement for
commissioner of agriculture is as fol,
lows:
DAWSON. GA. Jan. 25, 1898. yielding
to the solicitation of my friends and
felOw-CitjZens, the sincerity of whose
Partially and preference | am not dis
posed to treat lightly, have concluded
10 announce myself a candidate for the
office of Commissioner of Agriculture,
subject to the ratification of the State
Demo racy in its party capacity. These
pledges Of support and expires sions of
confidence have come from every section
OF the State. and impress me as being so
representative in character as to fully
justify this ann 0unCGmeDt. 1t is need
less to say that am duly grateful for
these Indications of appreciation and
assurance of support, and that however
the issue may result | shall at least feel
myself honored by the consideration
thus shown me- i
Ia giving formal publicity to my can
dldacy | desire to state that | am
actuated by no feeling of personal an
tagonism towards my honorable competi-
ttors, and if in my power to prevent It
no unpleasant personalities nor iIritat- |
ing issues shall be injected into the |
campaign. ] shall uSe all honorable |
means in promoting my candidacy, hav- |
ING done which | shall be perfectly viii |
ing for the people to pass upon my |
claims as their partialty AMI Judgment |
may incline them, and in advance |
pledge myself to accept in good part |
thelr verdict whatever IL may be.
l presume. however. it will be |
pardonable for me to mention the fact
that rotation in Office is one of the time |
honored customs of the Democratic par
ty, and that there are numerous in
stances where the public service has been
immeasurlbly benefited by placing limit.
atiOnS upon the official tenure of orr
public servants. The tendency of party
and state at the present time seems to
be still more in this direction, and be-
neticial results are the consequence |
Therefore, in entering this race do NJ.
feel that | ought to be regarded "a a |
trespass or, as it is the right Of every
good Democrat to submit his claims and |
aspirations to the party for approval or
rejection and his duty to abide its vCr
dict, and this is all | presume to do.
Regarding my qualifications for the
office of Commissioner Of Agriculture, |
may he pardoneG for saying that | am |
practical farmer Farming has been nv |
leading occupation for thrty-five years, |
and, having been born and reared upon |
farm, every detail of farm life has |
demanded and received my personal at |
tention. If the practical knowledge |
thus gained shall be deemed of value or |
importance in considering my fitness for
the place, l shall be gratifed. If the
people Of Georgia believe l can aid them
by administering the affairs Of this i'm
portant department in which all classes
are more or less vitality Interested, l shall
be glad to serve them. If elected I
promise faithful, honest, economic and
buslness-Hke administration, and assure
them that no interest affecting their well
fare or progress shall DE neglected. Very
truly, 0. B. STEVENS.