The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1898-04-07
Speech from Judge Branham.

Mr. Chairman-I am not seeking any
office and / never expect to enter a contest
for any Office. AS / was coming into the
courtroom this morning l met a gentleman
from the Flat Woods who handed me this
little box. saying: want you to give It
to Governor Gambler. 1t contains the left
hind foot of a rabbit which I killed yester--
day in a graveyard at Fiat Woods ]
won't make you speech, but / will tell
ago. You know there has been good
deal said about the AGeyerhardt letter.
About that time Colonel Gambler was writ
Ing to me to enlist my support in his can
ceived from him embarrassed me q little,
because Joe Terrell, who Is kin to Dave
Hamilton and myself had then said he
was going to run. 1t is fact that the
unoles of our grandfathers met way back
yonder in 1886 In the Seminole war in
Florida and that made us kin. I undertook
Gus reply to Colonel Gambler. In a few
days Mr.. Terrell said he would not run for
governor, but would run for attorney gen.
eral. Then I got another letter from Colo
mel Gambler asking me to support him. In
my second letter to him 1 was as candid
as he has been here today, and as he al
ways is with the people. | told him had
Eatonton. where I as well as all other good
people were born and raised.
But in day or two Jenkins said he was
not g9 Srn to Then
to reply. / had been using the typewriter
before, and said to him: I will do every
thing / can to elect you governor and !
that time this Meyerhardt letter came out I
knew ne was not talking about me, because
he was writing to me at the same time en-
listing my support and i didn't Sta affect fec. me ne
Judge Atkinson, a man ! like very much,
or to Mr.. Berner, a very brilliant man, Mr..
Gambler would have known made mere
pretext of that letter for. changing
front and 1 would have .,lost the
est man familiar with the CORE
You all know me. John Black was mem
Der Of the state committee. When he died
some one, don't know who, had me put in
his place had never been in politics,
but went to the meeting of the state
democratic executive committee the other
day tust to see what they were going to
do and will tell you what they did. They
talked for two hours b aa6 Tree
should be in July or the 9Th of June, and
as Gambler has said. there were two fac
lions only-those who favored him were on
Atkinson and Mr.. Berner were on the 9TH
O. I was with those who favored Colonel
Gambler. You could not tell the other side
were twins or not. They showed no differ
ence in that committee.
IT had a very hard chair and II was
very warm-they had the heat on the regis
to see 1t through. had no opportunity
to speak whatever and never opened my
mouth. But I will tell you what thought
The speeches made on that occasion were
very poor. We have not got candidate
running against candidate Of another
party. but are trying to select a standard
bearer. will say trying to select one of
three of our boys. Now, you know, q wise
father VIII stop quarrel in his own fam
fly as quickly as possible. Stop the quarrel
in TIE family at once. NY idea was we
ought to stop this fuss in the family as
quickly as possible and for that reason !
favored an early date for the primary.
Nov. I don't think It Is advisable for
us to have Joint debates between ourselves.
don't th'ak II is advisable for three dem
ocrats to dispute questions which are per-
sonal between themselves. After we have
nominated candidate and there Il an OPP
ponent in the field. then is the time FOR
some speaking. can only say In concnsf-
sion that not only hope Colonel Gambler
will be elected governor. but am perfectly
satisfied ne will be-"