The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-09-13
CAPT. MORTON IN
REPLYTO GOODLOE
DID NOT PROMISE LATTER TO
ABSTAIN FROM A THIRD
TERM.

forced his chief clerk. Hallum w
Goodloe, to resign because the latter
was a candidate for secretary OF state.
Cant Morton denies that he told Mr..
Goodloe that he would not be can
didate. However, with reference to
the statments OF others to the enect
that he would not again run, quoted
by Mr.. Goodloe, Mr.. Morton has moth
to say. Capt. Morton pays com
| pliment to Mr. Goodloe as clerk In
his office, and he also speaks In the
highest terms of his son, whom ne
has recently promoted to chief clerk
The statement of Capt. Morton fol
lows:
lowing to pressure of official bust
ness. which always receives my first
consideration, postponed replying 70
Hallum w. Goodies statements In all
of our city papers, and a number OF
county papers.
81 most positively state that l never
told Mr. .Goodloe that would not be
candidate for reelection, and he never
mentioned or consulted with me about
his candidacy for the position OF sec
rotary of state.
For many years / have been con-
templating writing a history OF For
rests artillery to be edited and pub
lished by my friend, John Trotwood
Moore, and preserving for all time the
records made and the services rem
fdered by this arm of the Wizard OF
the Saddle in my official capacity as
chief of Forests artillery. TO 90
this would have required much OF my
time from official duties, but every
lover of Forrest and the matchless
record he has made would, / believe,
some day thank me for preserving
that which, when pass away, may
he lost to history. To do this, l
thought, might interfere materially
with my ambition for reelection. Even
| If l had stated without the reason
given that would not offer for third
term, would not circumstances JUSTIFY
change of opinion?
"It seemed that Mr.. Goodloe had
made up his mind that I was not
competent or privileged to become
candidate-possibly my friends are
better judges-and as Mr. Goodloe
has been electioneering for six and
half years, while in my employ, and In
nv office. and was cognizant of the
fact, die, not discharge him, although
at timesbfelt very much like doing So
is certainly evidence that / was KIND
to hinf and considerable for the wei
fare of his family
'The first intimation from him was
his announcement in one of the Nash
vile papers of his candidacy for sec
retary of state, which accidentally
saw cut out, showed 1t to Mr. Goodloe,
and asked If this was authorized by
him. He replied that 1t was. | stated
that thought it without consultation,
very inconsiderate and discourteous 70
me, especially when he knew that
would probably he candidate for re-
election, and that his resignation
would be accepted at once Of that date
nc both could not remain in the office
and he candidates for the same posi-
ton. He requested that I retain him
for a month to properly get up and
arrange the office work. / told MIN
that my Instructions had always been
to have everything properly entered
and documents requiring 1T properly
filed daily. When took charge OF the
ONCE my first work was to arrange
and systematic everything in the Of
Ace. and my directors were to have 1t
continued Mr.. Goodloe has made a
good clerk, as have others In my Of
fee.
"Fortunately for myself and the OF
fee. my son, John w. Morton, Jr., TOT
merly a student at Vanderbilt UNI
yersity, a graduate In law, FORMER
| member of, the legislature, and RECORD
clerk in the office of secretary OF state
for about one year, was perfectiy
familiar with all the details and duties
of the office. ! gave him the position
OF chief clerk and appointed James
B. Toliver, OF Lebanon, highly recon-
mended as industrious, well-informeo
and experienced in Office work to sue
coed John w. Morton, Jr., all OF which
was promptly announced by the daily
press Of Nashville.
81 heartily favor general primary
election for all state officers. Let the
people, the democracy of the state
saw who shall be state officials.
'If friends and, comrades who may
receive this circular would read It ano
hand II to some friend, l would greatly