Fitzgerald enterprise. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1895-1912, 1906-06-05
A Mares Nest.

importance that attached 10 lQem that We WcIC
unable to discern. We have not been willing to
believe that Editor Clark Howell, however much
he would like to be Governor of Georgia, would
make himself absolutely ridiculous in devoting
his editorial space to double-column, double
loaded, capitalized paragraphs that run into
columns of valuable space, on subjects that pos
itively had not the shadow of merit, and more
than once we have concluded that there was
some mysterious local reason, some serious
hidden application that we could not under
stand, until we saw last Sundays Constitution
with large three column photograph to Illus
trate long double column of capitalized editor
ial, in the Sunday Constitution, aud, think fit
over mares nest.
Hoke Smith had been to Fitzgerald. He
was greeted on the arrival Of his train by humid
reds of staunch democrats, expectant and en-
thusiastic His reception and treatmen mt by as
good democrats as the editor of the Constlu-
ton ever associated with was all that reigning
prince could ask.
With single exception
The evening before his arrival the plan to
have him deliver his speech in the large opera
house was abandoned on the theory that it
would not hold the beople that would want to
hear the speaker and an improvlsed platform at
the intersection Of Grant street and Central
avenue, was arranged. The only protection from
the sun was white cloth canopy, exposing the
speaker as we'll as his hearers to the bright
rays of the SUM-
This improvised and hastily built plat
form was decorated with United States
flags, banner with the words Our Next Gov
ernor" and just back of where the speaker stood
a smaller banner, gotten up by Mr.. l. Gelders
an enterprising citizen, who was on the COM
mittee of arrangements and, probably, the only
populist in the county, if indeed he may be
so considered from having once voted with the
party and being still an admirer of Tom Wat
son. Mr.. Geders had printed on his banner
which he pinned up in the speakers stand these
words: according to the Constitution, terribly
traitorous words, ignoble, infamous) The end
justified the means, Populists vote for Hoke
Smith, pledge and al1.' In other words, Geld
ers says to his immaginary party companions,
"You are justified in voting for Hoke Smith and
in taking the pledge required by the democratic
committee for the end to be accomplished, i. e.,
the election of Mr. Smith is of more Importance
than the peoples party organization in the
county"
Now Editor Howell, for Candidate Howell
publishes three column picture and goes into
ecstaces over this mares nest. He llkens his
chief opponent in this race to the Italian states
man of the fifteenth century, Niccolo Machia-
velli whom he describes as all that is revolt
ing aud unholy in politics. Machavelli was
much better man and useful citizen that Editor
Howell paints him, but let's for the sake of
argument Init that he was the embodiment Of
debauchery and fraud Let's see which OF the
candidates, Smith or Ho well, most nearly resem-
bles him in this campaign, in the Identical in
stance cited by Editor Howell.
Let's be candid for once, Clark, it will do
you good.
Haven't you in this instance adopted the de-
cei it of Niccolo? Do you not know that Hoke
Smith was not responsible for the banner that
that the end does not justify the means you have
adopted in this instance?
Then, Editor Howell, why without any ap-
parent strain on your conscience, do you dello-
erately belle the whole subject? You pretend
not to understand the application of the lang
uage used on the banner.
You would put to shame the Italian polite
ian you have chosen to illustrate point.
Does the end justify you in msrepresenting
your opponent?
Does the end justify your wanton disregard
of every rule of decency and honor?
Does the end justify your preaching the
gospel of Misrepresentation?
Does the end justify you in laying at the