Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1903-02-25

Its readers posted AZ TO the movements
Of public matters, to speak out IN meet
ing when Il is apparent that foul play
is being practiced. II people residing
In the country districts are not supple
ed by their local papers with informa-
ton they are entitled 70. they viii never
obtain that information, for the metro.
politan press lie not given TO much com.
ment upon anything ave the move
ments Of their pets, and the majority
Of the people Of Mississippi ever see
the metropolitan papers anyway, many
Of them having but their own local
papers as a constant visitor.
This paper, at least, feels justified in
everything it has here to say on the
question at issue, and It is impressed
go favorably by the manly, dignihed,
C~hristianlike statement given out by
Judge Critz, that It lie given In full,
following:
West Point, Miss, Feb. II, 1908.
To NJ FeA6W Citizens Of the State
Mississippi:
Hon. A. +. Fox, of this place, having
announced himself q candidate for governor
ct this late day, / deem il but justice 10 my
self 10 submit TO you a statement for your
consideration and judgment. and ! am will.
ing to trust TO your fairness for q Just YER
dict on the issues involved.
In the early part Of 1890 Mr.. Fox and
myself were both avowed candidates for the
position 10 congress made vacant BY the
promotion Of Hon. HI. d. Money to the
senate. Mr.. Fox came into my Office TO 90
adjust the matter that we might not be can
didates against each other. After some
conversation l asked him what method Of
adjustment be suggested, and he answered
be would leave me to say. Thereupon / told
him that since he was generous enough 70
leave It to me 10 say how 1t should be adjus-
ted, / would withdraw in his favor; and
pursuant to this agreement l published q
card Withdrawing in his favor. Some time
afterwards when / was in the legislature at
Jackson / received q letter from Mr.. Fox
stating that my friends in a number of the
counties were still Withholding their sup
port from him with the expectation that l
was OF would be q candidate and in this let
ter from Mr.. Fox be requested me TO write
10 my friends notifying them that l was not
In the race. And pursuant to this request
from him, 1 published the following add,
tional letter;
Jackson, Feb, 90, 1896.
Editor Of the Clarion-Ledger:
There seems 20 be an impression with some
OF my friends throughout the state, and more
especially in the Fourth congressional district,
that am, or win be, a candidate for congress
In the coming election, By way Of explana-
ton, II Is proper Tor me to say thata one time
l did intend making the race, but my friend,
Hon. A. +. Fox, of Clay, having announced
himself as q candidate for the position In ques-
ton, l decline to run against him. We are
citizens of the same town, and members of the
same bar, and The most cordial relations have
always existed between us, and for these
reasons l think my friends win fully justify me
In the course have adopted.
Il am not now, nor win 1 be, q candidate for
congress In the coming election. This has
been fully understOOdbetWeen ne and MI. Fox
from the beginning. II 1 were In the race he
would not oppose me, and / allow no man to be
more generous to me than ] am to him. / am
deeply grateful to my friends for their great
kindness In this matter, and shall always strive
20 pc worthy OF the esteem they have mani
tested In their desire to place me In this exal-
ted position. Mr.. Fox Is one of the foremost
men OF the state, and well worthy OF any posi-
ton IN the gift OF the people, and has my UNI
FRANK A. oRITz"
In the face of these facts, 1 submit It to
you, the people, to decide whether Mr.. Fox's
conduct in thus entering this race after /
haYe been in the canvass for several months
Is generous or fair.
Mr.. Fox states that Recently, however,
there has been such q general demand from
every section of the state for my candidacy
as TO me amounts to q command, which /
have no right 70 disregard" I would like
to ask you, each individual voter, If you
join in this demand, or were in any way con-
suited about Mr.. Fox's ~eandidacyi If there
has been any such demand from West Point
or Clay county, I have never heard Of It. MIR.
Fox in bis announcement seems TO think that
the public good demands his services, to
which l would reply that this is matter
about which aman Is very easily deceived.
As to whether or not there is such q general
demand for the services Of Mr.. Fox, and as
to whether or not the public good demands
bis services at this time, I desire TO leave TO
the verdict of the people at the ballot box in
the coming primaries.
l have an an abiding faith in the Justice
Of the people, and believe they will demand
fair play Of those who seek position at their
hands. Thanking all my friends all over
the state for their cordial and loyal support
and their assurances Of continued good
wishes, l am,
Uar- wasDaosa,1lu