The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-07-23

The Laurel Chronicle. in its issue
of June 25, 1904, gives twelve reasons
so called by it-why it opposes the
nomination of Mr.. Bowers to con.
gress from this district. AS friend
and supporter of Mr.. Bowers we had
determined to pay no attention to
the Illumination of the Laurel Chroni-
Gle, but on reflection, and in view of
the fact that the issue of The Chroni.
Gle of that date has been circulated
from one end of the district to the
other. we have concluded to reply to
these so-called reasons, and in every
Instance the facts, as we give them
where facts are given, are vouched
for by us.
The first reason given by The
Chronicle is that he is the general
attorney for the Gulf & Ship Island
Railroad Company, and at the same
time member of congress; that Mr..
Bowers should have resigned his po-
stion as attorney for the railroad
when elected, and that The Chronicle
believes that his friends in that Sec
ton of the district expected him to
do so. The statement Is also made
In this reason that instances may
arise in which the interest of the peo-
pie and the interest of the railroad
corporations may conflict, and that
representatives. in congress should
owe no allegiance except to the peo-
pie.
The firm of which Mr.. Bowers is
member, are the general attorneys
Of the Gulf & Ship Island Railroad
Company; but Mr.. Bowers was select
ed for that position by this corpor-
alton long before he ever dreamed
Of going to congress, and before the
railroad was ever completed to Hat
liesburg-indeed, he was the attor-
hey of the receiver when the road
was in the hands of a receiver. Mr..
Bowers was selected for this place
because of the splendid ability pos
sessed by him as a lawyer. and be
cause the promoters of this road be-
ileyed that in him they would have
faithful, earnest and honest advo-
cate OF all their causes IN the courts,
and our information is that to this
good day neither the railroad COM
pany nor the people have had cause
70 regret his selection.
1t is not improper to state here
lnat Mr. Bowers has had nothing to
20 with the active management of
'ne affairs of the legal department Of
NE Gulf & Ship Island Railroad Com
pany since last October, these mat
'ers having been attended to almost
exclusively by his partner, Judge
neville. This is a matter of common
lotoriety, and could have been ascer-
AIMED, if not already known, by the
laurel Chronicle, if that paper de-
ared to deal fairly with this matter
from the time of the beginning of
Tue special session of congress last
november, Mr. Bowers has not ap-
peared in any court in the interest of
Tue Gulf & Ship Island Railroad Com
pany. soswe are informed, but once,
snd that was to argue case in the
supreme Court of the State of Mis-
appi, which argument was made by
aim after the adjournment of con.
siess in May. and which was made
.ecessary by the fact that Mr. Bow.
e nad grown up with this case, and
ss perhaps more familiar with it
asn any other attorney represent
ng the railroad.
"e 40 not believe that the friends
o. kr. Bowers, in the section of the
untry where the Laurel Chronicle
saeola'es' or anywhere else, expected
~ 70 resign his position when he
= elected to congress. The Chron-