The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1898-06-16
cATcHIMGs vs.. HENRY.
Reasons Why Catehings Should
be Elected.

To the Editor of the Commonwealth.
/ see from the public prints that
the Democratic Executive Committee
Of this district has ordered a primary
election for July l1th, to select a
Democratic nominee for congress.
After reelection I have determined TO
vote for Gen. T. G. Catchlngs as
against Hon. Pat Henry 10 that pri-
mary and win give my reasons for so
doing In the last canvass ] earnest
" supported Judge LOnginO for con-
gress on account Of his pronounced
free-silyer views and his complete fit
ness for the high position and I
strongly condemned the political man
ipulatlons and the ''deep damnation
Of his taking Of atGreenyille. Now
the very gentleman who then was
the most conspicuous in nominating
Gen. Catchlngs and producing the
compromise that committed him TO
free silver, is the only man against
him.
Now, Mr.. Henry is basing his can-
yass principally on hisfree silver faith
then he rejected a firm and uncom-
promising free silver man for Gen.
Catchings who had in congress con-
trary TO the known sentiments Of his
constituents, delivered telling blows
In favor of the gold standard. He
certainly cannot complain If the DEM
ocrats Of the District follow bis own
example and express a preference for
Catching to himself, especially as
Catchlags is fully committed to free
silver and from his well-known char
acter will not 60 back on his pledge.
The case Of Judge LONGING is at least
equal, il not superior, to that Of Mr..
Henry as against Catchings, and
sauce for the goose is certainly good
for the gander "
Again, Mr.. CatChlngs, after per-
forming eminent and important pub
lie service, comes before his constitu-
ents legitimately as a candidate for
denomination. Mr., Henry comes
through the prime movement Of a
small coterle Of politicians 'promi-
nent Democrats" Of the district who
protesting to represent the sentiments
Of the masses, have put Mr.. Henry
forward, II Mr.. Henry had boldly
and individually committed himself
as a candidate before his fellow DEM
Gratis, he would now be much strong
er. II those gentlemen 90 anxious to
get up an opposition to Mr. Catchings
had called mass convention ia each
county Of all Democrats opposed to
MI. Catchlngs, their case would have
been still stronger aud truly deniocat-
ic. But II is the very essence Of ma.
chine and wrong politics for a few
men, however plausibly, to assume to
represent the people. 1t is always
best ID every case to give the people a
full opportunity to express themselves
and not try TO control or circumyent
that expression by any machine man
ipulatiOn, This is Democracy-lt
is purity--it is honesty in politics,
which is the best policy there, as in
all other cases.
II such mass convention had been
called and conducted fairly, Mr.. Hem
ny might or might not have been call
ed out. II he had been his cause
would now be much stronger before
the people. Until there are such
honest appeals to the masses politics
will not be Strengthened out In this
district. Meanwhile there is no other
course left to us but to stand by our
present hOnored congressman, Hon.
T, G. Catchings-it is Hobson s choice
with us.
Again. while / think too much Is
often made Of the tlme-worn argu-
ment Of the knowledge and experience
OF Gen, Catchings in levee and river
matters there is no doubt that his
services in this line would 10 the pres
ent juncture greatly overbalance those
Of a new congressman. Let him com
plete his work.
The above are In part my views on
the subject In hand, and as / am too
busy as farmer to express them 9TH
erwlse, | choose 10 do SO through your
valuable paper and would make them
effective throughout the district II I
could. Yours very truly,
OsCAR + BLEDs0E.
Shell Mound, Miss, June 10, 1898.