Gainesville daily sun. (Gainesville, Fla.) 190?-1938, 1908-01-13
soME poLITIcAL nIsToRY.

men In Florida regarding past politi-
cal history gives the following inter-
esting review Of the great Call fight
OF 1891, most Of which is familiar to
those who were Interested in the out
come of that great political contest:
Miss jefferson Bell, who. # must
be remembered By those who read her
communications to the press on politi-
cal topics, Is part and parcel of the
BrowaTd administration. being pension
clerk In the once Of Comptroller
Groom. in q recent article. says In
substance that Hon. Frank Clark will
be returned to Congress with rather
an easy victory over his opponent, Mr..
FaTTiS; but intimates that he ought
not to be, because Mr.. Farris Ii sin
cere and Mr.. Clark Is not. We are
not sure whether Miss Bell does not
know more OF Frank Clark than this
article would indicate, or whether.
knowing better, her vision is ciouded
by the dense BrOward fog that en-
VeIOps the lady. as she draws her sal
airy as pension clerk" by the grace
Of an administration that would be
delighted to see Clark defeated by
Farris or anybody else.
whatever may be said of the pop
ular Congressman from this district,
his most bitter enemy would never
charge him with being, an insincere
man. The writer OF this article has
sometimes differed with Frank Clark
In political matters, and at other
times has agreed with him; but
whether we were standing shoulder
10 shoulder with him as we faced an
enemy. or facing him as we engaged
In sharp conflict, we have at all times
admired the man on account OF his
absolute candor, and his absolute fidel
ity TO the cause he espoused. Friend
nor foe OF Frank Clark. during his
long and active political career in
Florida, has ever had to hunt him up
when an issue was pending for settle. |
Hent, or when a battle was I'm pros
pOct In county or State convention:
in caucus or conference: in State leg |
islative hall, or in the Congress OF |
the United States--anywhere and |
eyerywhere-Clark has never been put
In the doubtful column: nor can a
single instance In his career be point.
ed out where he ever mounted a
'band-wagon.' or before taking his
stand on n public question. he ever
put his ear TO the ground To discover
which way the crowd was heading.
No, Miss Iefile: you don't know the
man. You're too young In years and
political life. Somebody has been fool.
ing you. You're too fair TO have done
this on your own yolition. Take our
advice: he from Missouri; and the
next time some 'bread-and.butter'
hanger-on Of the present Rdminlstra.I
tlon talks to you about Frank Clark,
you say Show me- ],
Thinking along this line. and anent
the appointment OF Willie Bryan 20
the United States Senate by BrOWard
IN payment OF a political debt, brings
to our mind some OF the stirring
scenes OF the long ago. and to show
Miss JciIie Just how insincere this
man Clark r., ws shall relate some
ole-time political history.
Hack In 1899 occurred one OF the
most bitterly contested political bat.
ties ever waged on Florida soil. Sen.
ator Wilkinson Call was nearing the
end OF his second term in the United
States Senate. and the Legislature to
10 elected that year, and which was
to convene In April, 1891, was to elect
his successor senator Call vas a
candidate 10 succeed himself. and Col
W. u. Chipley OF Pensacola. although
not candidate himself. Was the undis.
puted leader OF the anu-Call forces In
tho state The night Vas wagcd un.
ceAsingly from one end oi the State To
the other All other issues dwmdlcd 4
into inSignifCancc beside the allah. 1
sorhing question Of the Senatorial suc. ,
ccAsiou
When the legislature OF 1891 con. f,
yencd, Il ANS organized by the Call a
forces, With Hon JEFF n browne 81 I
Key West as President OF the senate !
and Hon. John l.. Gaskins ~ Snrkc Z
- Speaker Of the House ~ Repre- :
Frank Clark. then not ten !