The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1908-09-11
THAT FAMOUS CAUCUS.

THAT FAMOUS CAUCUS.
! ''NO sooner had the question of pay
ing the claim been brought up" con-
tinued Capt. tombstone, ethan q caucus
OF legislators was called at the instiga-
ton Of Gov. W. S. Jennings, who OPP
posed payment in every way possible,
and was one Of the unfortunate forty
who allowed themselves to be drawn Ia
lack Of deliberation), Of which resulted
in about the most unfair act Of Florida's
history. And /, sad to relate, was one
Of the star performers.
''The meeting was held IN the Talla-
hassee armOry, and, although Governor
Jennings was not present, bis was evil
IDENTIFY the guiding spirit Of the Won
drOuslY wise executive session. The
merits and dement's i have been una
bic TO discover any dement's since Civ
ing the matter proper study Of Colonel
WALES claim were not gone into. A
majority simply went into the caucus
with the fixed determination Of not pay
ing the fee Of Is per cent OF the amount
collected, and many did not seem to
give thought to the question Of whether
the claim was just or unjust. The ques-
ton Of giving Col. Wales friends an
opportunity TO be heard on the subject
being brought up, one Of the most thor
oughly beloved and thoroughly honest
public men Of Florida, quickly arose
and shouted: Give them all the time
they want; we've got enough votes to
kill the BILL anyhow Col. Wales
claims on the State. which are absolute
~ Just In my opinion, were thus pre-
judged by just as good and honorable
men as Florida ever produced, which
gives me the impression that the wlsest
of men are nothing more than children.
EX-GOVERNOR ATTITUDE.
1.-THE national government turned the
money collected through Col. Wales
efforts over 10 the State during Gov.
Jennings administration, continued
Capt. tombstone, land that gentleman,
while attempting TO get all the credit
possible for the collection, appeared TO
be deeply solicitous for FlOrida's finan-
cial welfare when Col. WALES attempt
ed to collect the fee legally due him
from a contract made with q former
Governor, and acquiesced in by future
Governors and Legislatures He did
everything in his power to prevent pay
ment of the claim, and it is indeed a
pity he hasn't followed the same course
regarding his own business dealings
with the commonwealth since. As at
torney for the Internal Improvement
Board, the work Of which does not re-
quire q great deal of his valuable at
tention, he draws an annual salary Of
IS, 900, in spite Of which he was recent
" paid fee of $1,000 for the settle
ment Of the Louisville and Nashville
claim, and l also understand collected
another fee Of like proportions. Other
officials, including Attorney General
w. H. Ellis, / understand, did q greater
part of the work necessary for collect
ing this claim, but Mr.. Jenningsg got the
fee. My, what q change Of sentiment
poor Florida's finaneesl
Tin closing" said Capt. tombstone,
81 wish to state that / am going to do
everything IN my power to see that Col.
WALES is given Justice, and hope the
next Legislature will either pay him or
pass an act allowing him TO bring suit
against the state, which would probably
be better for ell parties concerned. !
believe many others who voted against
the claim in former years, occupy the
same attitude, and it is my intention TO
publish a comprehensive statement re-
garding the case just as soon as can
do SC"
GREAT nSgUsTICE.
The injustice done Col. WALES is par
shown by the fact that Sena-
tor Hampton, IN 1885, with the acqui-
essence Of Senators Jones and Call, tried
-,
in full settlement of all accounts the in
significant sum of 500, $500, and but
for the persistence of Col. Wales, who |
eventually got 81, 089. 900, settlement
would have been made upon such
basis. "COl. Wales was the only man
living who could have collected this
claim" said a prominent citizen of
Jacksonville, and the information pos
lessed by him alone, il he had never
Ipent q moment on the actual work of
having the claim passed, was worth a
treat deal more than the sum offered
lin by the Legislature. In addition to
Iears of toiA, he expended more than
hat amount In Getual cash In prosecu.
ing the WORK, and the State Of Mary
and gladly paid him so per cent for col
Getting q claim Of similar character by
lct OF the Legislature.
CHANGE OF FEELNG.
That an entire change Of feeling re-
'arding the Wales claim has been
brought about during the past FIVE
ears, and that justice will yet be done,
Yill be evident 20 anyone who takes the
rJuble 70 interview the many prominent
'loridians who visit Jacksonville each