The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1907-03-05
(sy Wireless to The JournaI.)

Politopolis, Fla, Mar. 4.-The sena-
tor from the Fourth district is DIR.
| Theophilus West of Marianne, one or
the five members of the next senate
who have not had previous experience
in legislative work. DIR. West is a
very courteous and genial man, and
unlike the average statesman from
Jackson county, is not a politician.
Four years ago there was some talk
in Jackson of DR.. West running against
Ceph. Wilson for the senate, but the
doctor was wise enough to bide his
time, and refused to be led up to the
slaughter pen at that time. In the re-
cent primaries he was elected over
James n. Wilson, of Sneads, who was
a member of the last house of repre-
sentatives from that county.
DR.. West goes to the senate as the
successor of Ceph Wilson, who for
eight years rendered signal service
to the state in that capacity. There
are few men in Jackson county that
are more popular today than hand
some, good-natured Ceph. Wilson, and
had he desired it he could have been
returned to the senate without opposi-
ton. Mr. Wilson is enjoying splen-
did law practice in Mariana now,
and has signified his intention of retir-
ing from the active field of politics.
DR.. West has been prominently
mentioned as candidate for presi-
dent of the senate, and if he were cleo
ted would no doubt prove an able and
fearless officer, but the chances are
that his name will not be presented
to the caucus. The opinion in this
part of the state seems to be that
only one name will be voted on at
the caucus-that of Hunt Harris of
Key West.
Shep. Clark.
One of the youngest men in the SEN
ate is Shep. Clark, of Blountstown.
Shep. is a very "boyish" looking fell
low, but when it comes to politics,
he is a regular veteran. He has al
ways been a partisan. is true to his
friends, and knows how to fight. As
a senator he has made good, clean
record, and were it not for the fact
that his district is composed of two
counties he would doubtless be re-
turned to the senate in the primaries
next year.
Mr.. Clark's predecessor in that
body was General William Miller, of
Point Washington, Washington couE.
ty, who, during his term, was the old
est member of the senate Mr. Clark 3
brother. Charlie, is now state inspector
of convicts.
In conversation with Mr. Clark some
months ago he told me that he was
going to oppose John Boards bill to
disfranchise the negro, or the ground
that the state already had the negro
disqualified. and he saw no use in fur
ther agitating the question.
A. J. Afford.
The only member Of the senate who
enjoys the distinction of being fisher
man is A J. Afford of Carrabelle, who
represents the district composed of the
counties of Franklin, Liberty, and
Wakulla- Mr.. Afford is a very large
man in stature, with rudy complex
ion and, if he has not altered it since
last saw him, moustache about the
length of the one owned by the Bliss
full mayor of Pensacola.
Mr.. Afford was elected to the SEN
ate over James Fenimore Cooper
Griggs, Of Apalachicola, and consider
ing the popularity and statewide
prominence of Mr.. Griggs, the election
was somewhat of surprise to people
outside the senatorial district Mr.
Griggs, however, had to contend with
the voters of two counties besides his
own, and l have heard it whispered
that Uncle Nat" of Crawfordville.
was heard from" during this heated
senatorial campaign. It will be re-
membered that four years prior to this
election Uncle Nat" was a candidate
for the senate when 1t was Wakulla's
time to select the senator, and he was
defeated, so it has been alleged, be
cause of the attitude of Franklin's
delegation in the senatorial conven-
ton Whether this be true or not 1
can not say, but it is true that the
Wakulla vote cut quite figure in the
last senatorial campaign in that dis
trict.
Among some of Mr. Affords prede-
cessors in the senate might be men,
toned ]. E. Roberts of Bristol, William
c. Rouse, of Sopchoppy, Judge Hicks,
of Apalachicola, Thomas F. Swear
ingen, Of Crawfordville, and the late
DR.. John L. Crawford, of Crawford
vile. DR.. Crawford was the senator
from this district for sixteen years,
and was serving in that capacity when
he was appointed secretary of state in
1881 by Governor Bloxham. When DR..
Crawford first went to the senate he
succeeded Henry Han Walker, OF Wa
kuila, who was his father-in-law.
Senator Afford was the Justice of
the peace at Carrabelle before he was
elected to the senate, and in his home
town he is still known as Judge AL.
ford" The first time ever saw him
he was holding court in Carrabelle. I.
was civil case under trial, and Harry
Floyd. Of Apalachicola, and a young
lawyer from Tallahassee were the at
torneys- The case had consumed the
attention Of the court all day.
and ahorf nina oseI<,l- - -;.