The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1901-01-18

TIE LEGISLATIVE RACE.
The Mid-Winter Convention ecIpro'
cal COurtesy-Aspirants Kick
Ing, Etc, Etc.

There are two things which always
/ trouble office seekers, the first is TO con-
vince the people that they, the candi-
dates, are patriotic, self sacrificing, III
being willing to serve in official capacity
for the best interests of the people, and
/ secondly TO learn to believe that their
competitors will not resort to trickery,
/ ways that are dark and peculiar, to pre-
vent the one or the other from the priv
ilege of serving the people for the best
interest of the people. The pending
Legislative race has provoked such a
condition. For more than forty years,
within the CoURIER's personal knowl-
edge, the counties of Hickman and Full
ton have, by courtesy, alternated the
Representative, and though aspirants
from time 10 time in pursuance of indi-
vidual ambitions have attempted to alb
rOgate this une honored custom, the
people have uniformly ratified and per
petuated it, This race, it so happens
that it is Fulton County's time to have
the Representative. that in pursuances
of this custom the Fulton County Dem
ocratic Committee passed resolutions en-
dorsing Mr.. Mott Ayers and that the
committees of the two counties met in
Joint session at Clinton, and called Leg
islative primaries, in the precincts Feb
ruary ,, aud at Fulton February 4, to
declare a Democratic nominee, and the
three candidates, Flatt, Egbert and
Ayers, submit their claims TO the Con
vention as regularly and authoritatiyely
called.
But now comes the howl that the Full
ton County Committee Is "a machine
at work to secure the nomination of
Ayers, and in some way thwart the will
of the people, but exactly how, when
Hickman County is the larger, does not
appear, unless portion of Hickman
County votes with Fulton. The Hick-
man County candidates, Egbert and
hlatt, are well known, have been before
the public frequently, and for this rea-
san 1t Is not clear why an early conyen
ton should be antagonistic to their in
terests, or detrimental to the people in
terests. Usually, in this alternating
courtesy, Hickman County has opIya
asked TO have some proper evidence as
to certain Fulton County man being
the choice of the Fulton County Demo
Gratis, and the Fulton County Commit
tee, we presume, sought TO give this ex-
preston by their endorsement of Mr..
Ayers. The sum and essence of this
kicking appears to be that Ayers is a
member of the State Executive Commit
tee, and has earnestly. vigorously, and
enthusiastically discharged the duties
Of the position to which these same dem
ocrats assigned him; and that others
want to be the Representative.
Ayers, Egbert and Flatt, are regula-
ton democrats, of the free silver, &c to
l, unlimited, independent, Bryan or
bust, hell for sartin' stamp, honorable
and worthy gentlemen, and therefore no
political differences between them-only
the Issue of County's time, and on this
Mr.. Ayers is clearly entitled TO the hon
or He is in line with the majority sen
timent, in close touch with the party's
leadership, is earnest and enthusiastic in
the cause, l. as capable as any of his
competitors, possesses splendid abilities
as journalist and business man and
why should be not enjoy the honor he
has so gallantly won.
THE COURIER has not sought TO take
any part in party management or con.
troll since 1896, when the Republicans
stole the historic position of the Democ
crazy in favor of sound money, and reg
ular Democrats grabbing at shadow
fell TO growing over fusion bones, but
none the less THE COURIER wants a
Democrat elected to represent Hickman
and Fulton counties, and one that is in
active sympathy with the majority sen
timent of the party. Each of the can
didates answer the description, but If
the "kickers' keep on kicking, and at
imagining wrongs the morale and even
success of the party may be endangered.
The Just and magnanimus thing to do is
for Hickman County to stop the strife
and contertion by nominating the Full
ton County man.
THE COURIER has not discussed such
questions for several years, because TO
shoot an arrow DER the house might
wound our friends.