Mexico weekly ledger., 1898-03-10

OmCor.
Mr.. Wilson closed his remarks by
stating that he was probable, but
not a positive candidate for the office.
81 will look over the ground and then
decide whether or not will be can
didate. If I finally determine to enter
the race I ask You to think Of me,
consider my qualifications and decide
whether or not I would be a suitable
standard bearer of the Democratic
party for this high Office. Understand,
however, that have nothing person.
al against Judge Hughes. We are the
best Of friends, and il I am candidate
and you support me, do it, not because
you love Judge Hughes less, but Will
son more" Mr.. Wilson's talk was
received with much applause.
Those present aspiring to represent
Audrain County as Representative in
the next Legislature were now called
upon and Hon. G. F. ClarE, of this city,
came forward to present his views
and claims. Mr.. Clark got q round of
applause and laugh by stating right
in the start that his heart yearned as
1t had never yearned before for ga
musical boy" as he was sure he could
use one to good effect.
ono one not in sympathy with the
Chicago PLATFORM" said Mr.. Clark,
"would have the audacity to stand
here tonight and ask you to support
him, therefore it is superfious for me
to express myself on this, for you all
know my sentiments. The office
seek is business office; it is one to
which, think, You should elect a
NAM Of business affairs. hold it is
of primary Importance to the people of
this State that the money paid in by
them in taxes shall be 80 expended
that the best results may be derived
therefrom. think all state officers
should be held to strict account
for all receipts and expenditures, and
/ promise you If you choose me as
your Representative that all state
officials shall be held to a strict ac-
countability. lam for Francis Marion
Cockrell If he is a candidate to sue
ceed himself in the U. 8. Senate and
IL, for any reason he should not be, I
will then refer the question back to
the people of this county and abide by
their decision. Much is being said by
my opponents in regard to the bonded
endowment of the State University,
but that question is dead issue. 1t
was so declared by the last Legisla-
ture. Mr.. Clark here read extracts
from the State Constitution, showing
this to be the case, and discussed the
question at some length. 81 want, !"
said he, "to see our University the
purest of any in this land, but why
should we speak of bonded endow-
ment when it is an impossibility.
"I am in favor of encouraging the
Normal Schools of the state, but do
not think they should be allowed to
give lifetime certificates to teachers.
think this is dangerous, because the
privilege is often abused.
81 think our penitentiary and Re-
form Schools are splendidly conducted
and am in favor OF leaving them just
as they are.
tsThe leak in the criminal costs in
the state must be stopped. 1t was
about $500, 900 last year, more than
double what it was a few years ago,
and this wrong must be rectified.
Railroads, which enjoy special
privileges unknown to the private
citizens, must be made to reduce
prices of passenger and freight trans
portation. am not in favor Of tram
pling down corporations, but the rail-
roads must be taught that they can
not abuse their privileges and then
close the mouths of politicians and
editors with passee.
"I am in favor of good roads. My
opponent, Mr.. Shell, desires q road
law. So do I. The road law advo-
Gated by MIR. Shell is impossible to get
upon the statute books, because the
majority of the counties in the state
can not use the new machinery which
it requires. am in favor of road
law best adopted to the conditions
existing in each county In the state. "
Here Mr.. Clark explained his scheme
for obtaining good roads all through
the state.
"Possibly the Office Of Railroad and
Warehouse Commissioner should be
divided, but / do not consider this
question of vital Importance to this
county, as we are grain importers and
not exporters.
"My opponents are opposed to a
State Fair. I am In favor of it. ]
believe 1t will be a good thing, il prop
eriy conducted. The statement that
Cy Clark wishes to put heavy bur-
den upon the state for State Fair ID
false" Here he showed by the con-
stitution the impossibility OF imposing
any higher rate of taxation than ri
present exists. "I want q State Fair
to aid and encourage our agricultural
people, the people who have made
this state what it Is. 1t will not be
immoral-no drinking or gambling
will be allowed. Have I not evel
stood by morality and made war oz
vice?" Mr.. Clark here read extracts
from the original State Fair bill, intro
duced by him in theLegislature 10 yeari
ago, to verify this statement. Con.
tinuing his Argument in favor Of 9
State Fair, he said: "a State Fair car
mot cost you an extra cent, because Il
can not be . direct tax. II It were {
direct tax It will only cost q farmer
who owns 100 acres of land, 20 steers
8 cows, 100 sheep, 80 hogs and own
ss75 worth of other property, 22.5l
A. A.