The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1906-02-02
A SPECIFIC CHAacE."

casionS charged that graft OF q hagranl
nature has been going on in the capital
city.
The True Democrat has never made a
specific charge against any official, but
accuses in general. This, It seems, is g
mistaken policy on the part Of the Dem
Ocrat. We admire its fearlessness on
all public questions, and doubt not that
The Democrat is following what it con-
siders a proper policy.
Reform in State politics is not to be
brought about by accusing everything
in general, without making specific
charges. II graft does exist, as The
True Democrat declares, it should be
the office of The Democrat to point out
where the graft exists. IL The Demo-
nrat can substantiate charges in a spe-
cific case, the State press will support
It. This general knocking" should
stop. 1t indicates, unless The Demo
crat will make and substantiate its
charge, a spirit of pessimism.
Brother Collins may rest assured that
the inherent love for clean politics and
open and honest administration of civic
affairs that exists in the people of this
State will finally assert itself. The
work of reform that The True Demo-
crat has endeavored TO launch is good,
but the method is the objection the
State press raises.
Reforms are not to be brought about
in day. II has ever taken years and
scores Of years TO awaken any people 10
the need of a reform. Once the need
of reform is inculcated in the people,
the result is swift and sure. Reforms
have always taken place when the need
was evident. The pessimistic spirit
that declares that reforms are ever
needed, and that unless remedy Ia had
that things will go the pow-wows has
ever proven fallacy. The past history
creates an optimistic spirit, rather than
a spirit Of pessimism.
Convince the people of Florida, Bro.
Collins, that reform is needed, by spe-
cific charges, and the result you evil
IDENTIFY 80 much desire will inevitably
follow. Barlow Record.
Above we reprint an editorial from
the Barlow Record, which paper as
sumes to voice the sentiment Of the en-
tire State press concerning the allega-
tions of croOkedness in public affairs
which have appeared from time to time
in these columns. Without denying its
assumption that all of the other news
papers in the State think as it does, we
take pleasure in accepting it's challenge
to make Specific charges" although
we have already done 80 repeatedly, if
the American language means anything.
We here, and now, as we have here
tofore done, specifically charge that the
jennings administration unlawfully paid
out Of the State treasury $500, called
legal fees, to Judge B. S. Liddon, who
was employed, to prosecute, as Especial
counsel" the case of the State against
Walter L. Taylor.
Is that plainly enough stated?
We here and now, as we have here
tofore done, specifically charge that the
jennings administration unlawfully paid
out of the State treasury, a bill Of |.
B. Hilson. State printer, for ten dollars,
marked special, for printing done for
the Adjutant-General, for which he,
Hilson, by therms of his printing con-
tract, was entitled to have and receive
the sum Of one dollar.
Is that plainly enough stated?
These will do to start on, but there
are plenty Of others, some of which we
have heretofore referred to, and some
which we have never yet mentioned.
What is the Barlow Record, and the
State newspapers for which it claims to
speak, going TO do about il?
Another case of go-away-from-home
to get the news. The Jacksonville Me-
tropolis Of Monday has the following: