The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1899-02-09


ing Mr.. Smiths interposition of oh
stacles to thwart the efforts to obtain
money to open this institution OF
learning, it is fiourishipg under the
able management of an able and
learned president, with a splendid
corps of teachers and bright attend
ance of pupils of every one OF whom
the school is proud.
The three departments OF the state
government are equal, and each must
construe the constitution for itself.
do not think the constitution prohlb.
tied the appointment of Mr.. BYRD. Ii
L was mistaken in the construction OF
the constitution it was mistake OF
judgment.
RUMORs OF DEALS.
Mr.. Smith says: During the eau
Gus for senator, in the session OF 1880.
the air was filled with rumors of deals
on the part of the governor, with refer
ence to the appointment of Judges and
chancellors and promises were made
here and there that if this senator or
that representative would abandon
their choice and vote for Gov. McLau-
rim that he should be judge or chan
cellor.'
I copstrue this to mean that l made
promises alleged in the sentence. L
neither made a promise of appoint
ment in consideration of support for
tile senate, or anything else, nor deal
of any kind, and if any one else ever
made such a deal or promise it was
without my knowledge or connivance,
and if had known it l would IN
hesitatingly have condemned it. A
governor who would prostitute the
high Office of the state would be gnllty
of the lowest depths. l will not define
now the man who will let his spite
f1ippantly make such an accusation
against the governor.
l speak for myself, and my official
integrity. No living man can say
here, or dead one in my judgment, that
have committed AN official act tainted
with corruption. In shame and sor-
row | confess that | have sined against
nv Maker, | have not against Missis-
sippi. If | had served my Creator as
faithfully, and been as true to Him, as
have been to Mississippi, L would
not now carry a scar upon my heart
left by the soaring iron of sin.
Three SESSIONS of the legislature
have expired since then, why we're not
these henious charges brought to the
attention of the legislature, where l
could face my accusers? Why did not
the indignant senator to whom this
proposition was made call the attention
of the legislature at once to it? Did he
regard it of too trifling insignifcance?
Or was his Indignation born after
some disappointed application for
office? [ would not give much Gre
dence to the statement at this late day.
of such a man. l never gave en-
l;1aorrauol tho
mention of my name for senator, in
1896. When urged to enter the race L
refused. | became sick the night sue
ceeding my Inauguration. Took to my
bed the second day, where L remained
for a week. and was sick in bed when
the nomination for senator was made.
As to the $4,000. | stated at Missis-
sippi City that l had been told by
man who opposes me that one of my
enemies in Vicksburg had said to him
they had raised there in one day S4, 600
to fight the administration. L gave
the substance of bis statement to me.
[ said didn't know who raised the
money. The railroad company there
was fighting me and they had an at
torney there who was fighting me, and
who had said he wouldn't take five
thousand dollars for his seat in the
senate to fight my administration, and
that might account for the tight on me
by some newspapers whose editors had
cause to be friendly to me. Notwith-
standing Mr.. Smiths denial | believe
now that he took part in raising that
81. 900.
never sent any man to see Gov.
Jones in reference to the senatorial
appointment.
Mr.. Smith charges me with nepo-
tism. l appointed my brother circuit
Judge on strong recommendations,
Mr.. Smith moved the senate to con-
firm without reference to committee,
which was done, an unusual comph-
ment and distinction. That he has
made a good judge, Mr.. Smith does
not and will not deny. By his dis
patch of business, consistent with
Just administration of law, he saved
thousands of dollars of cost and court
expenses to the taxpayers the first
term of court he held, as compared
with the preceding term.
They were asked to itemize the &C
count and show another appointment
Ey me of my kin-folks, and they can
not show it. In his desperation, MIR.
privacy of my family, and says that at
it was a matter of common knowl-
edge that Judge Stevens was engaged
to be married to my daughter. The
statement is untrue. They were not
engaged to be married, so far as
knew then or know now, | appointed
Judge Stevens March 10, 1896, and he
was confirmed that day by the senate.
He had met my daughter for til" first
time just two months and one week
before. They were married the 18th
day of the next December.
In the dearth of anything to accuse
and abuse me for he conjectures that !
would have appointed brother and
charges it.
There has never been to me any
other such strong petition for appoint
ment as was presented for the appoint
nent of Sylvester McLaurin. The pc
tition came from all walks, callings
and professions. l believed then and