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

their power WhuiuBf tncy resort 20 all
manner Of trickery to avert the slide.
The new primary law. placing the
nomination Of candidates In the hands
Of the people direct, instead Of IN the
hands Of the political hxers, has been a
thorn In the side Of this jackson organ.
lzation. Yet, there has been no weak
ening by the gang to hold their power
in tact. Their first downfall came In
the triumphant victory Of Congressman
Williams over their slate. When the
state campaign COMMANDED to show
signs of life, the most rigid rules were
adopted by the bureau to pay as little
attentl N IS possible to all candidates
who we're known to be not of their
clan. In Judge Critz, Wilson recogniz-
ed a gentleman, who If elected, would
put an end to his political trickery at
Jackson and in the state. For weeks
the Jacksonigang has been beating the
bushes and drumming the prairies in
search Of some man Of whom they
could make 3 candidate for governor,
J with some hope Of landing the prize.
Here lie where Wilson turned a handsome
trick. II he could do something 10 en-
barrass Judge Critz at his home, there
might be hope Of defeating him. And
note the cunning of his procedure:
During the past month every man who
has visited Jackson from various sec
tons Of the state whom he could posi-
bly, approach, has been taken into the
private sanctum Of Wilson and implor-
ed to write a strong personal letter to
Congressman Fox, urging him to be-
come a candidate for governor. It was
these letters which prompted Mr.. Fox
to say In his telegraphic announcement:
Recently hOweDer, there has been such a
general demand from every section of the
state for my candidacy as to me amounts to
a command, mich IhdUe no right to dis
regard"
Right well did Boss Wilson get in
his work in this instance. Right well
is he learning to apply Roosevelt po-
htical tactics to Mississippi's manipu-
lation. But we doubt If be viii be
able to carry the scheme through to q
successful termination. We do not
believe the people who bear the burden
Of government can be made parties to
any such schemes. We do not believe
that the business men Of the state, who
have a wholesome regard fer Judge
Critz, who has been a most enterpris-
ing, most liberal and most successful
citizen, will assist in such dirty work.
his worth as a citizen of the state has
placed him side by side with the best
known and grandest men of character
known to the general public.
In this connection it may not be
amiss to briefly mention some of the
objections which the people of this
state might naturally have for a ma
chine made candidate for Governor
As stated, a life for years in Washing
toA, is not calculated to enlarge the
commendable characteristics Of a man
the people may desire as their execu-
tive Of the state. If there lie a place on
the face Of the earth where dirty trick
cry and political juggling Is brought
down to a fine point, that place is
Washington, D. @. No man ever goes
from his state to the national capital,
and becomes a factor in the scheming
there inspired. but that he returns to
bis home, with many Of the more COM
mendable traits Of character that
would ct him for home associations
and home duties. dulled and corrupted.
He loses touch with those Of his ASSOC
ciates in his home state who would
hold him to a higher idea Of the COM
mon interests of the general public.
BE learns to look upon those he rep
resents merely az factors necessary to
the attainment Of his position, az his
dupes; 10 short, with whom he must
play good at election time, but whom
he may entirely forget as soon as he
enters the national capitol. Most
states have recognized this trend, and
very few members Of either branch of
congress have ever been elected to the
position of Governor after their retire.
ment from the nations legislative
halls. This is certainly a wise precau.
ton, for there is more to It than the
casual observer win desern ct 3 glance.
The people Of Mississippi are Justly
indignant at the trick sought to be
played upon them In this instance,
through the agency Of the gang at
Jackson, managed by Roosevelt's APP
pOintee, Of which they are impatiently
waiting to rid themselves; and. in our
candid judgment, they will resent the
trick in terms so emphatic that Con-
gresham Fox VIII have ample reason
to change his mind in relation to the
demand made upon him.
Judge Critz has brought enthusiasm,