The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1899-01-14

j am before you tonight to respond
to gratefully appreciated invitation
To speak to my fellow citizens on
State politics and issues. My right
to speak to my fellow citizens has
been challenged by the men who
have misrepresented, maligned and
bitterly abused me because of my
political opinions, and because of
their inability to control and dictate
my administration of the office Of
chief executive of this State. But |
have no other way of addressing the
|neople of the State.
While / have the support OF great
AMY patriotic newspapers of the
late, yet / have no organ of my own
0 present the true facts, as know
HEM, to the people, whore they are
I1isrepresented by my opponents. If
nv individual interests alone were
Evolved | would quietly submit to
aese misrepresentation, wilful as
hey are in many instances, knowing
do that those who know me per-
bnally will never give credence to
kem; but the interests of the entire
Aople Of the State are involved, and
bwe it to them to put before them,
Ia before the world, the facts in
kutation Of these misrepresenta-
ms as far as it is in my power to do
It'll the time that can be spared from
The official duties of the Office CON
fiaed to me by the people Of Missis-
siDpi. If | am guilty of wilful VIC
Lion or perversion of the duties OF
he office Of Governor, it is not only
aAlnnable in me, but it reflects dis
etedit upon the entire State. If |
have faithfully attempted to dis
large the duties Of the office to the
\ sst of my ability, then they, who
I've from spite or disappointed po-
tical aspirations, or because OF my
phtical convictions, attempted to
eate the impression that my official
knduct has been corrupt, have not
My slandered me bnt they have
ievously wronged every citizen OF
e State upon whom such official
nduct would have reflected, if it
Id been true. For this reason !
ei there is not only nothing inn
Dper in my speaking to the people,
h N that as far as | can spare the
BE from my official duties, it is my
tY to them to speak.
iY THEY ATTACK THE GOVERNOR.
am gratifed that in discussing
BITE politics as they have been
reed by the opposition, and in dis
ssing the most important State is
es that will be decided this year,
p at the same time refute my hear
lt will be necessary for me to
'hcover the principal issue, and the
we which every effort of the combine
ainst me has been, and will be,
ERECTED to cover up and conceal.
IN 1880, when my name was men
pned for the Office Of Governor, just
Ter had served out short term in
United States Senate, warm
rsonal friend of mine, who had
hcticed his profession in my family
man Of profound thought, and log
u, cogent powers 81 reasoning, who
Is an ardent hatiever in and an able
vocate Of himetalism, Dr. s. d. |
shhins, Of ylcksbufg, wrote me a
Ter to know II I intended to be- \
be q candidate for Governor, and |
50, my position oil the financial
Aestion, that was then and Is now
'gitating the whole country. I
'ps"FSr this g, in Substance that i
the value .. and that was thor.
erty was $16egith that doctrine
for the year 1Sg4limited and
the year 1891 it was 81 h.by CHS
year 1892 it was mill&hllei
year 1898 it was . mills; for theR |
1894 it was six mills; for the
1895 it was mills Th,,s uni 4