Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1905-02-12
HoWeLL's ANSWER. TO EsTlLL

III d recent interview In the Sa-
Press, Col. J. II. EstilI, of
savannah candidate for governor,
gave utterance to the following
statement:
sit is too early to discuss mat
ters relating to the gubernatorial
race" he said. ~ observe that |
Mr.. Howell is already conducting
a vigorous campaign, but in my
opinion it is too early to burden
the people with a discussion of
matters relating to the race. I'M
fact, the only issue which at this
early date seems to be defined is
that of corporations. | believe
that the main fight in the guberna-
torial race will be between the cor
porations and the anti-cOrpOratiOn
men. The railroads will probably
line up with Mr.. Howell and the
other faction with the next strong
est candidate"
On being shown the above and
asked for a statement concerning
it, Mr.. Clark Howell said:
~ am obliged to Colonel Estill
for his admission that / am the
strongest candidate, as he clearly
does in his statement as to the next
strongest candidate'-in his refer
ence to me.
''TO that extent | agree with the
position taken by Colonel Estill
and my assurances from every part
of the state lead me to believe that
he is not mistaken.
"I do not know where Colonel
| EStill gets his information that the
railroads will probably Zine up
with Mr.. Howell, , though [ con-
fess that for the past twenty years
he has never hesitated to become a
spokesman for the railroads when
ever any matters affecting their in
terests have been under considera-
ton. I do not criticise his past at
| titude, because as a prominent
| railroad director and stakeholder
| he had a perfect right to his opin-
lion.
"But | know that during my
long service in the legislature Col
Onel Estill has been almost invari-
ably opposed to such measures as
sought to make the railroads bear
their part of the burden of taxa
ton and to compel them to yield
to the rate making power of rail
road commission.
~ believe he not only opposed
the establishment of the railroad
commission itself, but when We
were fighting for the franchise tax
his opposition had to becombatted
. When as a member of the house
was actively advocating the pas.
sage of the bill giving the right tC
the counties to tax railroad prop.
erty, his clarion voice as an anti.
cOrpOratiOnist' was not heard. His
record has been consistent and per
sistent ON the other side, and ]
cheerfully stand upon mine as a
: member of both houses, for [ sup
f ported practically every measure
that this newly discovered anti
cOrporatiOnist opposed.
personally, | feel very friendly
to Colonel Estill, and / should not
now say even this much, were it
f not for the fact that he has gone
out OF his way to make unjust and
entirely uncalled for reference to
ne.
"f Colonel Estill does not be-
lieve | know his record, [ will give
him ample opportunity before the
campaign is over to defend some of
his very many corporation plead
ings for the past twenty years,
many of which / have had fire.
| quently to combat as member of
the legislature. / am entirely con-
tented to measure records with
him on that point.
GAS to Colonel Estill's statement
that | am ALREADY conducting a
vigorous campaign he is misin-
formed. / have done nothing more
than to write a few letters to my
friends on the subject and should
not even have made this early de-
claration of my intention to become
a candidate had it not been that
Colonel Estill had before then made
definite announcement of his can
didacy. 1t was simply my desire
to put my friends on notice accord
ingly that [ made the statement
that / would, at the proper time,
present formal announcement of
my candidacy.
''The primary is about a year and
a half entirely too far to
begin actual hostilities at thistime