The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1908-01-08

committee. ! want to say that every
member oe this committee remained
my friends through the convention,
Notwithstanding the convention re-
fused to accept a report from the COM
mittee aid prevented me from making
my annual address, when the expo
sures would have been made.
The article refers to my promise
to support the newly elected officers.
/ did promise this on certain
conditions. The conditions were that
they would elect capable officers and
that the society would stand by the
true principles and plan of the Ameri-
can Society of Equity.
Under such conditions | promised
mo person shall excel me in loyalty
and support to the officers of the
society" But on the contrary l said,
should the convention not do these
things ard if incapable officers were
elected, Or if the convention
would commit the society to princi-
pies, plan and objects contrary
to the original principles, plans
and objects then mo
person shall excel me in my opposi-
ton to them"
The acts of the convention are a
matter Of history and will speak
for themselves. Also, my acts since
the convention have been entirely con-
sistent with my declarations before
the convention and l defy any man
to prove to the contrary. That conven-
ton assassinated the true plan of the
society, departed from its objects, COM
mitted the society to the accomplish
ment of objects for another class of
people I'd practically turned the So
clety against the farmers themselves.
Under such circumstances, what
could / do? Having originated the
plan of the society, laboring faithful
ly for five years, always pulling up
hill to establish it, then to see it
practically destroyed or made impotent
for accomplishments for the very
class of people for whom it was in
tended, would any true member expect
me to stand for these things and help
to consummate such a crime?
Further reference is made to a pro-
posed constitution giving the Pres
ident absc lutte power.
This is as false as the other state
ments. was in favor of the Presi-
dent and the board of directors ap-
pointing the secretary and the nation
al organizer. but l never proposed that
the president should do these things
alone. In justification of such rec
ommendation, / want TO say that near
ly all the large interpretations and
institutions now appoint the secre-
tary, organizer, ETC., instead of elect
ing them for year. In this way
they protect themselves against in
competency and always have it in
their power to discharge and hire,
until the position is satisfactorily
filled. | am also proud of such rec
concentrations, and know that | will
be upheld by every true member and
officers who want the best results OBJ
tanned would not have accepted of
an office III the society, except the
constitution was changed as above
recommended.
And now | see that c. NJ. Barnett
makes a personal statement after your
article as fellows:
81 personally know that every state
ment in the above article, relative to
the acts of the convention are abso-
lutely true" c. NJ. Barnett, National
President.
Tn view of the defamatory literature
sent out from Barnetts headquarters
making grave charges against the wri-
ter and later his own reputation of
this and his attempt to throw the re-
sponsibility on the employees of his
headquarters, as he has done in the
statement as follows: "Mr. Everitt,
| begin 10 see that you have been
greatly wronged. | want to say that
the defamatory literature sent out
from headquarters was sent without
my knowledge or approval. Also,
am your friend and you can depend
upon me standing by you"
| believe further comment is unnec-
essary. 7 wish to say, however, that
a great many good, true and honest
man attended the late unfortunate con-
vention as delegates, but they were
grossly de, eived. So much has, how
ever, bean printed and such undisput-
ed evidence of the conspiracy has
been given that it is time that every
delegate, who was deceived, is putting
himself right with the true members
of the society. Yours truly,
]. A. EVERITT.