Hattiesburg daily progress. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 18??-1909, 1903-02-19
JUDGE CRITz MAKES STATEMENT
Regarding MIR. Fox'S Candidacy
for Governor.

Hon. A. f. Fox, of this place, hav-
ing announced himself as candidate
for governor at this late day, l deem
it but justice To myself to submit to
you statement for your considera-
ton and Judgment and / 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 avowed candi-
dates for the position in congress
made vacant by the promotion OF
Hon. II. ID Money to the Senate.
Mr.. Fox came into my office to So
adjust the matter that we might nOt
be candidates against each other
After some conversation | asked him
what method of adjustment he sug-
gested and he answered he would
leave it to Inc to say. Thereupon |
told him since he was generous
enough to leave it to me to say how
it should be adjusted, | would with
ORA" In his favor. And pursuant to
bhiS aS CCIltub HuDItSIlCd u Nbib
withdrawing in his favor. Some
time afterwards when | was in the
legislature at Jackson | received a
letter from Mr.. Fox stating that my
friends in Il number of the counties
were still withholding their support
from him with the expectation that |
was or would be candidate aud in
this letter from Mr. Fox he requested
me to write to my friends notifying
them that | was not in the race.
And pursuant to this request frcm
him published the following addi-
tional letter:
Jackson, Feb. 20, 1896.
Editor Of the Clarion Ledger:
There seems to be an impression
with some of my friends throughout
the state and more especially in the
fourth congressional district, that !
am, or will be, candidate for con-
gress in the coming election. By way
of explanation, it is proper for me to
say, that at one time, | did intend
making the race, but my friend, Hon.
A. F. Fox, of Clay, having announced
himself as candidate for the posi-
ton in question, | decline to run
against him. We are citizens of the
ysafi1e town, members 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 ] have |
adopted.
lam not now or Will be a candidate |
for congress in the coming election. !
This has been fully understood be- |
tween me and Mr.. Fox from the be-
ginning. If I 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 to be worthy of the esteem |
they have manifested in their desire |
to place me in this exalted position.
Mr.sFoX 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 CRIrz
In the face of these facts | submit
to you. the people, to decide whether
Mr.. Fox's conduct in thus enterin
this race after | hav-. h-as III =
canvass for se,t III n'or = l.
Gus or fair.
Mr.. Fox states that "Rteenrly. |
however, there has been such gen
eral demand from every section If /
the state for my candidac. a. IS ~
amounts To conn and wheel ! Az
no right to disregard" watid Ia
to ask you, each individual voter, if |
you joined in this demand or were IN
candidacy. If there has been IN!
such demand from West Point or
Clay county, have never heard Of
it. Mr.. Fox In his announcement
seems TO think that the public good
demands his services, to which / |
would reply that this is matter
about which a man is very easily |
deceived. AS to whether or not |
there is such general demand for
the services of Mr.. Fox, and as to /
whether or not the public. good de-
mands his services at this time, /
desire To leave to the verdict of the
peopis at the ballot b"x in the COM
ing primaries. >
/ have an abiding faith in the JUS
tice Of the people and believe they
will demand fair play of those who
seek position at their hands.
Thanking my friends all over the
iatate for their cordial and loyal sup
bort and assurances of continued |
|support, am,
Very respectfully,
FRANK CRTTz