The sun. (Jacksonville, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1906-02-24
LETTER FROM GEN. f. B. BAILEY

years, will not deny that I have made
peace where he failed land in some re-
markable cases) though he has been
with me twice when l expected to fight
duels. I never refused challenge and
always prove my denunciation OF wrong,
and never retract word, even after
fisticuffs. / never had an enemy but
what under oath would say Tin my opin-
ion) that he was wrong, and not one but
what an audience (anywhere) will say
they are wrong! l am willing to test
the matter. If I was wrong, it would
be more satisfactory to me to know it
than to receive the plaudits of my fel-
low-men. r,
have never participated in lynch
ing, but have several times saved men
from being lynched.
MY platform will not be like that on
railroad coach-"made to get in on"
and not expected to "stand on" but 1
hope one that will prove satisfactory to
the people of Florida. I never did as a
legislator close my eyes for nights
sleep without repeating the Lords
Prayer and thanking God for the preser-
walton of my life and keeping me in the
path of duty. I never used methods less
clean than Gods sunbeams, and while
my enemies have used villainous meth
DDS to try to ruin me, my weapons have
been arrows of truth. If in clean con-
test, with honorable opponents, am de-
feated "at the finish," / am perfectly
content. But have you encountered a
man who is truthful, honest and God
fearing, who expresses belief in that
result, and can state good grounds for
that belief? At any rate, I expect my
next circular to be satisfactory to the
people of Florida.
loaned more money than any indi-
vidual in this county, and sold more
goods than any merchant in this section,
in the largest store, and collected closer
(credit system), yet in 1896 received
every ballot in this town and precinct.
Can you name any other man in any
county in this State, or any other State,
who received the ballot of every "gold-
bug" and every "silver bug" When a
merchant l bought my goods through
"drummers," and each year in New
York, with the world for market, I
bought through "drummers" to help
them. Are you surprised that they are
now helping me?
In 1895, though l paid on every con-
vict sentenced in the State after sem
tence, voted against reducing fees (for
feeding prisoners) of Sheriffs, who
risked their lives, and in 1897 voted to
restore it. The Sheriffs sent a commit
tee to me afterward and thanked me, and
told me they would not charge me anv
increase. I told them they were entitled
to and welcome to it.
My next circular will impress the
voter, by absolute proof, that 1 am not
only conscientious and unselfsh, honest
and truthful, but incorruptible and God
fearing. In the unprecedentedly bitter
fights on me since 1896, in return for nv
kindness, it has only been said that 7
had squandered three fortunes helpino
others. Now l ask Democrats to helm
me secure the salary attaching to the
office of Railroad Commissioner I would
rather die between the plow handles. be.
hind blind OK, than do any opponent
an injustice, so secure any office, and 7
have always been prepared at any time
: to "die in my tracks" in the discba roo
OF duty, and when I stand with one
, foot in the grave Ind the other on the
brink land it caving), I still intend To
: denounce wrong and uphold right. Yours
truly, E. B. BAILEY