The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1908-09-11
IEONORED FLoRIDIAN
REcRBTS OPPOSITION
Van Aid ColohoI wales In Fi6At for
Iasties.

that had been done Colonel Sidney /.
Wailes, which places FlOridians before
the world &c regulators, and we now
give 10 our readers some more bona
evidence, that our position as regards
the matter was a correct one, and that
our criticism Of It were just against
those who cast the repudiatIng clouds
and stains upon our name. Read what
Captain John B. tombstone, legislator
and editor Of the Pasco Democrat, now
says Of IL in the Jacksonville MetropO-
lis:
Colonel Wales, am glad to see
you, for this meeting gives me an OPP
pOrtunity 70 make most humble apOl-
Ogy that have been due you for seve-
raj years. ] did not intend 10 merely
make the apology privately, but IN jus.
tee to you and myself intend TO let
every Floridian / can reach know Of
my seton, and from now on ] am going
to do everything in my power TO right a
Florida legislators, did you.
II wlsh to apologize TO you for hav-
ing allowed myself TO be inveigled into
q caucus of forty members Of the Leg
islature of 1903, the outcome Of which
was to rob you Of money that was
justly due you from the State Of Flor
ida, and for voting against your just
claim for fees well earned in the cOllec-
ton of an immense sum Of money which
was even at that time in the treasury
Of the State. This is the only act Of my
legislative career that am ashamed Of,
and merely to state that / am ashamed
Of that act, although / never intended
acting dishonesty withyou, does not ex-
press my feelings. And think there are
many other good members Of that Leg
islature who feel just like / do, and
who will follow my course in making
gxAgy amend possible.
For some time past have been pre-
Yfring for publication in my newspaper,
the Pasco County Democrat, a full and
complete statement Of how l, with
many others, came to make the sad
mistake Of entering that causus and
casting my vote against your Just claim,
hich has ever since been thorn in
my side, although at the time thought
was doing my duty. If there is any
way IN which I can correct that great
intustice to you. am at your service :;
and from now on am going to do ev-
erything possible 20 correct II on my own
responsibility. Your claim Is q just
one, and sincerely hope the State of
Florida will no longer disgrace herself
by persisting IN an unjust reputation
Of her debt"
The above remarkable statement was
made last Saturday by Captain John B.
tombstone, the veteran legislator and
editor Of the Pasco County Democrat,
who was q visitor TO jacksonville, 20
Colonel Sidney !. WALES, the aged, tot
tering and practically poverty-stricken
man, who has for Ave years been vRinly
endeavoring TO collect fees earned un- !
der q bona ode contract for the eOllec-
ton Of the vast sum Of 81, 089, 900 from |
the United States Government, which |
amount was turned over TO the State Of |
Florida, and for which he was offered |
the measly sum of SIS, 900, One-half of |
which was to 20 to the Beard estate, |
A statement Of this character from
Captain tombstone, who is known |
throughout Florida for his absolute
honesty, patriotism and ability, is in.
deed an unusual one, and shows that
other good and true men allowed them
selves to be led into doing Colonel
Wales a great injustice and casting
discredit upon the State.
CAPTAIN TOMBSTONE INTERVIEWED.
For several years past, and particu-
larly since connecting himself with she
Metropolis several weeks ago, the wri-
ter has made II q point to interview
every man prominent in Florida pOlit-
cal lie, whom he met, with regard TO
the Wales claim, and In almost every
instance be has been told that Colonel
Wales has been the victim Of outrage
ou0ly unjust treatment, and not one
who holds payment Of the claim n dis
favor has given q valid reason for his
position on the subject. Following his
usual custom, the writer asked Captain
J tombstone for an expression on the sub
jet, knowing that gentleman had vo-
ted against payment Of the claim In
1903, but not knowing that the able
legislator had met Colonel WALES dur
Ing the day.
Captain, what d your present Opin-
on regarding payment Of the WALES
claim I" The writer asked.
u an glad indeed that you brought
The subject 70 my attention." was the {
.eply, "gor accidentally met Colonel
Wales this morning on Bay street, and !
lad the pleasure Of apologizing fof my (
|0rmer attitude on the question, and Of I
,Ioring nay assistance IN the matter OF
having hir8 justly treated BY the next
-oEla|atufe. The only act Of my legis-
ative career, Of which am ashamed