The Columbus weekly dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 1902-1905, 1903-02-26

TO THE PEOPLE OF MISSISSIPPI.

Hon. Il. r. II OK u lIliS tt1dOCs
having announced himself Il can
didate for governor at this late
day, I deem it but justice To my
self to submit to you a statement
for your consideration and judg
ment, and l am willing to trust
to your fairness for a just verdict
on the issues involved.
In the early part of 1896, Mr..
Fox and myself were both ayOw-
ed candidates for the position in
Congress made vacant by the
promotion of Hon. H. ID. Money
to the senate. Mr.. Fox came
into my Office to so adjust the
matter that we might not be can
didates against each other. After
some conversation l asked him
what method of adjustment he
suggested, and he answered he
would leave it to me to say.
ThereupOn | told him since he
was generous enough to leave it
to me to say how it should be adj
justed, [ would withdraw in his
favor. And pursuant to this agree
ment [ published a card with
drawing in his favor. Some time
afterwards when | was In the
legislature at Jackson l received
a letter from Mr.. Fox, stating
that my friends in a mum Der of
the counties were still withhold
ing their support from him with
the expectation that l was or
would be a candidate, and in this
letter from Mr.. Cox he request
ed me to write my friends mott
flying them that l was not in the
race. And pursuant to this re-
quest from him [ published the
following additional letter:
Jackson, Feb. 20, 1896.
Editor of the Clarion Ledger:
There seems to be an impress
ion with some of my friends
throughout the State, and more
especially in the Fourth congress
sional district, that | am or will
be a candidate for Congress in
the coming election. BY way of
explanation it is proper for me
to say that one time l did intend
making the race, but my friend,
Hon. A. +. Fox, of Clay, having
announced himself as a candi-
date for the position in question,
] declined to run against him.
We are citizens Of the same town,
mem bers of the same bar and
the most cordial relations have
always existed between US. and
for these reasons, [ think my
friends will fully justify me in
the course l have adopted.
L am not now, or will be, "a can
didate for Congress in the com
ing election. This has been fully
understood between me and Mr.
Fox from the beginning. If
were in the race he would not
oppose me, and [ allow no man
to be more generous to me than
l am to him. [ am deeply CRATE
full to my friends for their great
kindness in this matter, and
shall always strive to be worthy
of the esteem they have mar j.
tested in their desire to place me
in this exalted position Mr..
Fox is one of the foremost men
of the State, and we'll worthy OF
any position in the gift of the
people, and has my unqualified
support in this race.
FRANK A. CRITZ.
In the face of these facts | sub
nit it to you, the people, to de
eide whether Mr.. FoX's conduct
in thus entering this race after
have been in the canvass for sew
eral months is generous or fair.
Mr.. Fox states that recently,
however, there has been such a
general demand from every sec
ton of the State for my candi-
dacy as to me amounts to a com
mand which / have no right tC
disregard. " | would like to ask
you, each individual voter, If you
joined in this demand or were in
any way consulted about Mr..
Fox's candidacy. If there has
West Point or Clay county l have
never heard of it. Mr.. Fox in his
announcement seems to think
that the public's good demands
his services, to which / would
reply that this is a matter about
which a man is very easily de
ceived. As to whether or not
there is such a general demand
for the services of Mr.. Fox and
as to whether or not the publicS
good demands his services at this
time, 1 desire to leave to the yer.
dict of the people at the ballot in
the coming primaries.
/ have 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 my friends all over
the State for their cordial and
loyal support and assurances Of
continued support. am,
Very respectfully,
A n