Fitzgerald enterprise. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1895-1912, 1905-06-13
Hawkinsville, Ga, May 81, 1905.
Oh. Holie Smith, Atlanta, Ga.

Hon. Ioke Smith, Atlanta, Ga
My Dear Mr.. mith:-Yours of the
9th instant came duly to hand and
| has been duly considered. Your
cOurs2 in this matter entities you to
| a prompt and candid reply; justice to
myself and the occasion demands an
exDiict response.
To begin at the beginning. Some
months ago Mr.. Clark Howell an
nouncod his candidacy for the gov
erno?ship. For some weeks it seemed
as though he would have the field to
himself, and such was the impression
sought to be made upon the public
mind. My friends began to write me
from different parts Of the state re-
curstrc me TO make the race. Be
fore conSenting to do so, | sent out
letter of inquiry to O. number of
people in every county to learn the
public sentiments, as far as possible.
7 did not however in this letter So
licit support. The promptrcss, full
ness and candor of the replies really
surprised me; it showed the interest
of the people, and gave me a very
correct idea OF the situation in every
county; it disclosed the fact that the
white people of the state are divided
into two parties, the one we will call
the railroad party, and the other the
peoples party.
It disclosed the further fact that the
railroad party, which is made up OF
the agents of eastern capitalists, who
have a monopoly of transportation,
and who would fix the price of the
same, without any interference from
ctate or federal authorities, thus &C.
priv:ng the people Of their rights, even
unto their liberties, were lined up in
solid phaanx, from one end OF the
state to the other, behind Mr.. HoW-
ellis candidacy.
1t d 'sclosed the further fact that
the great mass Of the voters, who co
not make politics their chief business,
and who are not and who do not eX-
pect to be beneficiaries of the present
political regime, were ready to line
I'D behind a man who could win, and
would stand up for government of the
people, by the people. for the people,
based upou justice. wisdom and mod
CTdIlOu, ifiSkCGU VI St'iti'S''t VI ''S
railroads, by the railroads, for the
railroads, based upon thirst for power,
inordinats greed, opposition to al !e-
cal restraints and defiance of the pub
ic rights.
But to this letter of inquiry there
also came, from every county, a mum
Der OF voluntary assurances OF sup
port, and requests that | enter the
race. It was then that | decided to
DO so, and made a public announce
meat Of my intention to enter an ac-
tive canvass after the LIST OF October
next. when my duties as railroad COM
missioner, which are important and
unfinished, would expire. In the
meantime I was to arrange my pri-
vate affairs SO as to give my undi-
v;ded attention to the campaign after
that time.
1t seems, however, that that deter
mination was disappointing to those
who thought it best to open the fight
at once.
In casting about for one to enter
Immediately upon a vigorous cam
paign the public mind seems to have
lGItiSO 10 you GS lHS E'SSk CCnSDlCu-
Gus embodiment of those principles
which the mass CT the people are now
contendine. [ have steadfastly ad-
hered to the idea that it should be
campaign of principles which should
oycrshadow any personal ambition.
We sTe in thorough accord on the is
sues that confront the people. For
each Of lis to make the race would
bring defeat. The question is, which
one OF us will more surely lead to vic
tory the great mass Of the people in
their fight for the principles upon
which our government WAS founded
Equal riqhts to all, and special priv
ileaes to none"
According to my custom. have adj
vised with my friends-as many as
bossible-whose loyalty cannot
doubt. and whose Judgment | trust.
The majority advise that you are the
man to make the race at this time.
In that view l shall cheerfully &C
quiesce and give YOU my most hearty
support. I realize that in retiring
from this race my personal political
ambitions are finally ended. yet s!;a.l
count the sacrifice as nothing, if by
laboring in the ranks I can help cur
cause 10 succeed.
When the people are made acruaint-
ed with the real issue, CLEARLY sad
ably presented ey you, ! believe the
victory will be triurr phant, your cleo
tlon Overwhelming and the people
once more in power.
With high personal esteem ard best
wishes for your success, an