Fitzgerald enterprise. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1895-1912, 1906-04-17
The County Campaign.


tive on the prohibition issue. We worked and
voted with the prohibition faction, we always
do, and we sent to the legislature the strongest
prohibitionist in the county. Just after the
election another matter more important, if posi-
Bile, than prohibition came to the front. That
of a new county. Our representative went to
legislature last summer with the endorsement
of the people and introduced and came near
passing his prohibition measure, but was finally
DELAYED until next session on account of
technica1ity. The New County proposition was
also DELAYED, or so far as that session is con-
cerned lost by the accidental and unavoidable
absence of com mtteeman. Our, representa-
tive declares his purpose to push both measures
at the next session just two months Oft. We
hope he will be successful and believe he will be
able to pass both bills.
Mr. ]. A. ]. Henderson. who gave us most
valuable assistance on the new county matter at
the last session, was induced to make the race
for the senate on the theory that he could do
more effective work as the senator elect than he
could as an ordinary citizen. Certainly we have
no better man for the place than he 1s We
have heard no reason urged why he should not
be elected. Fitzgerald ought to vote for him out
of pure gratitude for what he did last summer
in the new county matter. Certainly 10 man
who was in Atlanta and saw how earnest, how
active and how effective be was in the fight we
had on hand, will hesitate to vote for him.
DR.. E. ]. Dorminy was announced as can
didate for the house. We had nothing to do
with his announcement, nor indeed any know
ledge of the probability of his candidacy until it
wasannounced in this paper We at once recog-
nized that one of the best med in the county had
been named and believed that he would give us
valuable assistance in bringing about the pas
sage of the new county bill if he went to Atlanta
this summer as the nominee, which would give
him prestige and influence.
Everything looked propitious and reassur-
ing from the new county standpoint until it be-
came apparent that the opponents of the new
county we're making systematic and organized
effort to induce Hon. 3. E. Wilcox to run for
senate or house, with the evident purpose OF
sowing ascension in our ranks. A tremendously
overwhelming ma ority of the people of the coun-
tv favor the new county movement, believe that
the county is large enough, rich enough and
populous enough and growing rapidly enough to
warrant it's division The puny opposition from
the shadow of the present court house IN the
woods saw their opportunity in appealing to the
personal vanity ard political ambitions OF Mr..
B. E. Wilcox, and set campaign was inaugural
ed. Day and night he was haunted by the anti
new county faction and Its emm1Sar1eS, ana
Notwithstanding the warning of his personal
friends who realized that it was we'll planned
effort to make trouble for the lew county move
ment, they succeeded after an all day set-to n
working Mr. Wilcox up to the point of announc-
ing late Saturday afternoon.
Seeing that he was hard pressed by the
men who are fighting the new county movement
they were nearly all here and hanging around
his store like-well they were there when we
handed him the following note.
Hon. B. E. Wilcox, City.
Dear Ras:
But for the estimate put on our personal
friendship, would not say another word to you
on the subject of the Legislative race. | am
disguised that the enemies of Fitzgerald (my
enemies and yours) have nearly succeeded
in bringing about discussions in our ranks,
which is sure to result should you decide to
enter the race.
have not intimated to you that you would
be defeated because l knew your nature would
rebel at the suggestion and should not have
mentioned that matter if you had not MENTION
ed it yourself in conversation this noon. Your
defeat at the hands of Fitzgerald is all the
schemers want.
You will sacri6se many friends, 1eopardize
the county, we'll as eopardize your pro-
hibition measure by getting into this race, and
last but not least you will please the men who
have fought you and who fighting Fitz
geral, men who have always been opposed to
prohibition.
Allow me to say that am utterly disguised
at the prospect. Sincerely,
J. E. MERCER.
About two hours after reading note
Mr. Wilcox came over to make his announcement