The Columbus weekly dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 1902-1905, 1903-04-02

man Fox 5 open letter:
WEST POINT, Mss.
March %, 1903.
HoN. "A. F. Fox,
West Point, Miss.
Dear Sir-My reply to YOU
open letter of March II has beer
delayed by my engagements il
/ the State canvass. | shall only
answer your proposition to sub
nit the issues between US to /;
special Democratic primary cleo
ton in Clay county.
If it had not been for the facts
of my withdrawal from the con
gressional race Ia your favor il
1896, and. If your proposition
had been made five months ear
lier, it would have been more
plausible.
The paper you refer to as "a
circular distributed through the
mails over this State" is a copy
of my open letter of February IL,
1903, which, as you know, was
published in the leading papers
circulated in the State.
In confederation of my said
letter of February II. 1908,
give the following statement of
Judge r. G. Beckett:
WEST POINT, MISS,
march %, 1908.
In 1896, when Hon. A. F. Fox
and Judge Critz were rival can
didates for congress in the
Fourth district of Mississippi,
Fox told me that he was not will
ing for them to run against each
other; that it was not of sufficient
Importance to him to make such
a race against Critz, both being
from the same county. My recol-
lection is that suggested that it
be left to the voters of Clay coun-
ty to decide which should run.
and to this Fox replied he was
not in favor of leaving it to the
vote of Clay county. but intend
ed to leave it to Critz himself to
say which should make the race.
He said that the people of West
Point and Clay county had al
ways been united and that there
was no matter at issue of sufi-
Gent importance to get up diVis-
ion and dissensiOn among our
people; and [ believe he said he
had rather withdraw himself
than to do that or go into a
Scram bla for the office
L then saw Critz and told him
Fox was going to leave it to him
to decide, and [ advised Critz to
withdraw, telling him it would
put Fox under obligation to him
and be to his advantage in the
future. Fox did see Critz and
Jritz did withdraw, but was
not present at their interview.
All of this occurred in West
Point. Critz being a member of
he legislature, afterwards re
turned to his post in Jackson.
Still later, according to my
recollection. [ was going down |
rom West Point to Jackson and |
Mr. Fox requested me to see
Ortiz and say to him that his,
Jritz'S friends in some of the |
did not seem to know
hat he had withdrawn; and Fox
asked me to ask Critz to publish |
| withdrawal. [ complied with |
Mr.. Fox's request, and after that
Jritz did publish his letter of
February 20, 1896.
(Signed) r. @. BECKETT. "
have made vigorous canvass
If the State at large up to this
lime. at great cost of time, labor
md money. and | have no right
% ignore my friends and sup
1orters in other coun ties, if l
we're willing to do so. and /
would not if l could. [ am not
Wiling to af1ict my county with
he factional bitterness which
he primary election you sug-
rest would occasion. The only
ssues of Importance to me are
State issues and a State primary
must settle them. / love West
'olnt and Clay county and feel
Lssured they will give me an in
lorsement of which any man
should be proud.
[ never have claimed that Clay
vas almost solidly for me, but
wen if I believed it was practi-
ally solidly for me, under the
acts above stated, [ would not
your proposition.
Very respectfully,
FRANK A. CRITZ.
Tho Hrnnn..;IIn ci4un4inn