The weekly true Democrat., 1905-08-18
BROwARD UNDER FIRE.

InulnR out WnaL OJnefS LniHh OF MIN.
IL is, indeed, unfortunate that so high an
official should incur criticism, but then,
that is one of the duties, as well one of
the prerogatives, of an independent
press.
Governor Broward, in an interview
published in a Jacksonville paper, gives
his side Of the controversy as follows;
In the first place. l appointed the man
who had the best recommendations for
the position. There were twelve appli-
cants for the position, and Mr.. Bell
seemed TO have the best recommenda-
tions, do not know Mr.. Bell person
ally, but he was born in Marion county,
| is a reputable lawyer, appears to be a
gentleman of the highest standing in
his profession and among his people.
So far as the executive committee is
concerned, the committee was called
together and | was informed by wire
that there was not quorum present.
They stated in the telegram that they
would make another effort to meet next
| Thursday. | did not know whether or
not they would fail to meet next Thurs
day, and, as / wanted to get off for a
few days, | appointed the man who had
/ the best recommendations for the place.
/ acted because thought that the Of
| flee was Of such Importance that it
ought TO be filled as soon as practical,
at least.
To hasten so important an appoint
ment, at the risk Of criticism for ignor-
ing the rights Of the party authorities,
on the ground that he wished to leave
the State for his vacation may strike
the average citizen as smacking rather
too strongly of the methods of his inn
mediate predecessor, who became infa-
nous for his habit of ignoring party
obligations.
Some of the newspapers are exceed
ingly OutspOken on the subject, as wit
ness the following excerpts:
The Governor has not only broken
party precedents, but he has broken
faith with his friends!
If there be one thing more than an
other that ought to stand forth resplen-
dent in human nature. it is that which
was exemplifed by Damon and Pythias.
The fidelity of friendship should be,as
pure as glittering gold, as sound and
answering as granite and as true and
unyielding as the needle is to the pole.
But it takes little incidents like that
of last Saturday to reveal the ineXpli-
cable riddle so often manifest that
"man's best friend is often his worst
enemy"
Mr.. John T. Lewis and his friends
were Governor Broward's s best friends
in this county in the gubernatorial pri-
mary election. They worked for him
with faith that was admirable, if not
heroic. At their own expense they dis
tributed his literature and went from
place TO place sing NJ his praises and
arousing enthusiasm for him.
Mr.. Lewis was a candidate for the
office of county judge made vacant by
the death of the lamented Gen. Bullock
He had letters and kilograms in his
pocket from Gov Broward and Mr.
Stockton and also oral statements from
friends who had seen Gov. Broward in
person, saying that the Governor was
anxious to appoint him to the place
and would do 80 if he secured the in
dorsement of the Democratic Executive
Committee, and that he would not make
an appointment until the committee
made an Endorsement.
Owing to the tremendously heavy
rains for the period of two days it was
impossible for the full committee to
meet last Saturday, so an adjournment
was taken until yesterday.
In the meanwhile, without hearing
from the committee, at least not Off
cially, Gov. Broward made his APP
pointment, regardless of the action of
said committee, thus not only breaking
faith with his friends, but also breaking
faith with hiss party.
He was and is still the subject of
severe criticism. and especially among
thore who warmly supported him and
enthusiastically sung his praises in the
last election, Ocala Banner
Governor Broward seems to have
adopted the Jennings method in max
ing appointments to Offices where va
cancies occur. The death of General
Robert Bullock, left vacancy in the
Office Of county Judge in Marion county.
The county democratic executiv COM
mittee had been called to recommend a
candidate for the Office, but the Govern.
or took the matter off the hands of the
hands of the representatives of the
people of that county and appointed
man of his own choosing. II the Gov
ernor will look up the democratic plat
formof 1900, which though quite aged,
is the only platform by the representa-
tives of the people, he will find that his
action is not in keeping with that docu-
ment. Bradentown Journal.
In the matter of appointing a county
Judge for Marion county Goqernor
BrOward has struck his first snag. and
has succeeded in bringing down the
wrath Of Editor Frank Harris It ia to