The Florence tribune., 1898-11-12
Card to the Pubic.

Two years and half ago l left the Republican party because of disa- greement on the silver question. Since that time l have borne the brunt of two successful campaigns in Pinal county, battling for Democracy. En- tirely unsolicited, the nomination for councilman was rendered me and ac cepted after much hesitation. No oth- CT name was mentioned until the day of the convention, when that of Thos. F. W eedin was also proposed, We were tied on the first ballot, and on the sec ond received the nomination, and MT. Weedin (who was member of the convention) arose and made motion that my nomina tion be unanimous. Since that time the Honorable ? Thos. F. Weedin has used all his influence to. defeat me, and has been successful. He has even gone so far as to write to my opponent that HReppy is not a Democrat and cannot support him." This letter Dr. Wright has shown all over the county, and it has been made the excuse for Democrats to refuse to support me. In Mammoth precinct alone counted fourteen straight Dem ocratic tickets with the exception that pr. Wright's name was substituted for mine. These alone would have elected me. All of thousand dollars have been expended to defeat me, and it was used in the most disreputable manner in purchasing whisky and votes. I have had to contend against lukewarm support if not absolute treachery where least expected 1t. So alto gether it is wonder that received as many votes as did.
 In simple justice to myself I make this explanation, and with it can add that I shall not abate one iota in my 1 devotion to the grand principles enun- ciated in the National Democratic platform until the issues there involved are decided right. At the same time I am compelled to admit that have sac rifced more than l could well afford in advocating those principles. Not only have been the main object of attack, but have borne the principal part of the legitimate expense. This will be believed when is known that the entire receipts of the TRIBUNE from the County Central Committee during the past two ca mpaigns amount to the magnificent sum of $l575, which was for printing letter heads, etc. Not g Democratic candidate announced him. self through the columns of this paper, and not cent has one of them put up except for printing few cards. The newspaper men of the territory will open their eyes with wonder at this. And yet they say I am mo Democrat, n and one successful candidate gave me plainly to understand that he did not work for me. begin to wonder what man must be to be a Democrat from the Weedin standpoint. l evidently ! am good enough Democrat for Mark Smith, as letter from him published elsewhere in this issue will show, and l care more for Marks opinion than that of all the Weedins and the like, that could be piled into Pinal county. l The humiliation that has been offered me is more than balanced by satisfac- tion over the victory of Colonel Wilson and the general success of the ticket in Pinal county. It means the contin- uance of the TRIBUNE in its earnest work for Democracy and the best in terests of the county, reserving the right to nail to the cross all traitors, scrubs and thieves.
 Thanking all those who gave me their support, Democrats as well as Republicans, lam yours for Pinal coun- ! frr