The Tupelo journal. (Tupelo, Miss.) 1876-1924, 1903-08-21
Hon. }. NJ. Allen In
terVieWed.

teryiew on the pending gubernato-
rial contest in this State. In reply
he said:
You know | am entirely out of
politics; claim to be the only
thoroughly reformed and complete
ly sanctified politician in the State.
| see, however, most of our great
men and distinguished leaders are
declaring themselves, and as | do
not yield to anyone, not even
Bishop Galloway, in patriotic con-
Germ for the welfare of my State
and country do not object to
making known my position on this
contest that is now absorbing so
much attention in our State"
In the first primary voted for
Captain Noel, in the next it is my
purpose to vote for Major Varda-
man, nor do object to giving some
OF my reasons that impell me in
this course. | admire Major Var
daman for his ability, integrity, and
manly and courageous independence.
do not agree with him on all
questions and would have been glad
IT his campaign had been made on
somewhat different lines. He has,
however, many of the essential
qualities which | think are needed
by the Governor of Mississippi at
this time. feel sure he would
administer the affairs of the State
for the best interests of all our
people who are only interested in
good government. | find none of
the men who have profited by the
questionable methods of past ad-
ministration supporting him. So
far as | know the boodlers are all
against him. In none of the cau-
cuses of the ring" has his name
been considered. He is rot
favored by them because they think
he would not favor them. The
consideration, however, that has
most effected my choice between
him and his opponent, Judge Critz,
is the charge that Judge Critz has
in this campaign expended much
more money than is srequired for
what lconslderlegitima campaign
expenses. | heard Captain Noel in
his speech at this place say he
knew of no greater political calami-
ty that could befall this State than
to have it it,understood that to con-
duct successful candidacy for the
high office of Governor one must
nave the use of large campaign
fund: he then went into the details
and figures and showed that Judge
Critz was expending more money
than any man could afford to ex-
\ pend looking tothe legitimate sala-
| ary of the office and that the elec-
4 tion of Judge Critz by these meth
DDS would be equivalent to- service
of notice by the voters of the State
that no poor man need apply. |
\ was much impressed with this part
\ of Mr.. Noel's speech for it accord
d ed perfectly with my own idea.
8 know of no more corrupting de-
bauching political process than the
illegitimate use of money in cleo
\ tions. | thinkitist to-day the great
u est menace to our free republican
institutions and our election system.
| have always been against it and
shall continue my warefare against
it and those who practice it, no
! matter who they chance to be.
read a short time ago a letter from
/, the boodling Lieutenant Governor
! of Missouri, (who drivenin disgrace
from the office he heidi to a noted
lobbyist and corruptionist asking a
! large contribution to his campaign
fund in his candidacy for Governor.
He closed the letter by saying
There are ways this can be paid
1 back the first year if am elected
J | just instance this to show the
J visciousness of the system. If a
candidate has not the money of his
own or is not willing to spend his
own money there are always other
interests that would like to put up
the money to elect a Governor
! knowing there are ways it can. be
4 paid back when he is elected.
will make no unjust reflections on
Judge Critz but | have reason tc
believe that more money is being
! spent in his interest than the sal
! airy of a Governor will justify. Mr.
I Noel and Major Vardaman have
both publically charged time ano
again that men were being paid tc
travel over the country and mis-
! represent them in the interest Of
! Judge Critz. 1t has also beer
charged that newspapers had been
paid to support him. / think Mr.
Fox in his card of Withdrawal
charged practically the same thing
} | do not think these are legitimate
D campaign methods and they are
4 being resorted to by someone ir
Judge Critz's interest. These are
some of the reasons why | can
1 follow my former leader, Captain
} Noel, into the Critz camp, unles,
} he has become convinced that h,
~ - :.