The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1908-01-17
snnR PnLIIICAL HIsTORY.

MleM III NlUIlNa INNHi NAAB Na1A N'tt't
cal history. gives the following inter
estlng review OF the great Call hghi
Of 1891. most Of which Is familiar n
those who were interested IN the out
come OF that great political contest:
"Mias Jefferson Bell who, u must
be remembered by those who read neT
communications 10 the press on poliu'
cal topics, "a part and parcel OF the
Br6Ward administration. being pension
clerk IN the once Of Comptroller
Groom, in a recent article, says IN
substance that Hon. Frank Clark VII
be returned 10 Congress with rather
an easy victory over bis opponent Nj.
FarFls, but intlmates that he ought
not 10 be. because Mr.. Farris IS yin
eere ard Mr.. CLARK ls 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 clOuded
By the dense BrOward fog that en-.
veiops the lady, az she draws her sal
airy as pension clerk by the grace
u an administration that would be
delighted 10 see Clark defeated by
Farris or anybody else.
Whatever may be said Of the pop
ular Congressman from this district.
his most bitter enemy wOdld never
charge him with being an lnsincere
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 we're standing shoulder 10
shoulder with him az we faced an en-
envy, or facing him as we engaged In
sharp conflict, We have al all times ad-
mlFed the man on account Of his abso-
lutte candor. and his absolute fidelity
20 the cause he espOused Friend nor
foe OF Frank Clark. during his long
and active political career Ia Florida,
has ever had 10 hunt him up when an
issue vas pending for settlement, or
when a battle was ln prospect IN
county or State convention; In caucus
or conference; In State legialativ hall,
or IN the Congress Of the nited
States anywhere and everywhere
Clark has never been put IN the
doubtful column; nor can a single In !
stance Ga bis career be- pointed out /
where be- ever mounted a 'band.wagon.
or before taking bis stand on public
question. he even put his ear 10 tfa
HfOund' 10 discover which way the
crowd was heading No. Miss Jeile; |.
you dent know the man. You're too |
young An years and political life. |
Somebody has been. fOOllng you.
You're too fair 10 have done this on /
your own volitOn. Take our advice
BE- from Missouri; and the next time
SUMO Observation-Disclosures hanger.On Of
tie present Administration talhs ~
you about Frank Clark, you say,
Show met"
thinking along this line. and anent .
the appOintment Of Willie Bryan 10
the United States Senate by BrOward .
IN payment OF political debt brings
20 our mind some Of the stirring .
scenes OF the long ago, and 10 show
Miss Jeflo Just how inRinCere this man
Clark 81 we shall relate some Old.tlma
political history.
Back I'm 1880 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. aud the Legislature 10
be- elected that year. and which Was
10 convene In April. 1891 was 10 elect
bis successor. senator Call was a
candidate % succeed hlmelf. and Col.
w. ID. Chlpley. OF Pensacola. although
not candidate himolf. was the undls.
Duted leader Of the antiCau forces in
the State The fight was wagcd nm
from one end Of the state to
he other An other issues dwindled
INTO inslRninCanco beside the allah.
lOrblng question of the Senatorial sue.
rosBion.
when the Legislature Of 1891 con.
yenod, Il was organized by the Call
forces. with Hon Joh u. Browne. OF
Key West. az president Of the senate
and Hon. Jno l.. Gasklns. Of Starke,
is Speaker Of the House OF Repre-.
entatltos Prank Clark. then not ten
lays over thlrty.Ono years Of age. was
a representative from Polk County. \
vas made chairman OF the House Ju
iiciary Committee. which position he
llled with great ability. hon. H. ~
fancey held this position In the Gen.
SIC. and the editor OF The index, an
iDeR and avowed Chlpley man. was
bis clerk. and this position gave him
n opportunity 20 know what he n
now writing about. The Legislature
vas composed OF nlnety.nine Demo.
rats and one lone Republicah--Sena.
.or o. y. Smith OF st. Johns county
NJ usNamHua- - a..