The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-12-18
MR.. Smith AGAIN.
WRITES A SENSIBLE LETTER
I'M REPLY TO HIS CRITICS.

Monticello, Fla, Dec 11th, 1901.
Editor The State:
My attention has been called to
some newspaper articles appearing in
some papers in South Carolina rela
tive to me and my business. Some OF
these articles charge me with doing
business that is not legitimate.
While have taken little notice Of
these pieces, from the fact that their
authors would be hard to locate, still
as l have a good many subscribers in
your State and want those who are not
acquainted with me in any way, to
understand the situation, write you
this card.
In the first place Monticello, Flori-
da, is not so far away as to preclude
communication with her citizens, and
as we have truthful and reliable citi-
zens here, would it not be better for
those who try to condemn me to write
down here and find out what kind of
a character I am? We have bankers,
lawyers, doctors and business men
who would answer important in
quiries, if postage be enclosed.
Or, if they would not be satisfied
with that, let them choose three rep
utable and competent men, who may
come to Monticello and look into my
business and my methods. I will
take pleasure in giving them every
opportunity and aid them to find out
as to whether I am honest and wheth
er my business is conducted on an
honest basis. If they will do this,
and the three men selected do not find
me reliable and honest and my bust
ness conducted fairly and honesty, I
will pay their expenses and five dollars
day each for the time consumed.
I desire to say to your readers that
I have been in Monticello nearly II
years; have been in business here con-
tinuously since August. 1890. Before
coming here my life was spent on
farm in Echals county, Ga, and at
school in Athens, Ga. If during my
career here, or before I came here,
any one who knows me or who has
had dealings with me, can say any
thing but good of me, I am not aware
of it.
For eight years I have published
The Constitution, one of the ablest
papers in Florida, and it is conducted
as legitimately and as honestly as any
paper published in the State or out OF
the State. IF any person wants to
know whether it is legitimate let him
ask me.
The reports of my methods of doing
business which appeared in a few pa
pers, are so far from the fact that I
am convinced that the writer's have
been imposed on, or are trying to in
jure me without the semblance of an
excuse. Ny method is legitimate,
honest and based on business princi
pies that are correct and which have
been found by experience of years to
work all right.
While I don't hold myself up as one
OF the s'holier than thou'' kind, still
I am not ashamed Of my record, and
believe it will compare favorably with
that of any who have tried to abuse
me.
I have had agents from time to time
working for me for many years, and l
have Invariably kept my contracts
with each one. If any one has right
to know what am doing he can find
out by asking me or others who know
me and my business. [ have never
failed to give any information desired,
when asked, and in every instance the
enquirer has been fully satisfied.
Respectfully,