The weekly true Democrat., 1908-06-05


follows:
First he isimpulsiye, impetuous, rash,
and therefore likely to do things that
ought not TO be done, things that might
seriously and injuriously affect the in
tereat Of the entire state.
Second, he Is and always has been a
bitter partisan, a fact admitted by his
most persistent supporter, the Talla-
hassee Sun, which recently said that
this characteristic had in times past led
him to say and do things that should
not have been said or done. This one
defect Of character should alone be suf-
fcient to cause patriotic people to re-
ject him at the polls, for such a man as
governor would be very likely to stir
up strife and dissension throughout the
state.
Third, his supporters boast of his in
dependence, which is q good trait in
some men, but bad one in Mr. Stock
ton. as was shown some years ago by
his bOlting the Democratic nominations
in Duval county and running as an in
dependent candidate for the legislature.
More recently, this characteristic APP
peared in his letter TO Judge Stewart,
Of DeLand, in which Mr. Stockton said
IN effect that, that unless the results
were Unsatisfactory to him, he would
not appoint county officers in compli-
ance with the wishes of the people as
expressed in primary elections. We
submit that this kind of independence
Is very Objectionable.
Fourth, Mr.. Stockton belongs TO the |
faction Of which Governor Broward is |
a conspicuous member, and IS in cordial
accord with him on the politics of that
facti6S, and he may be depended On TO
persist in carrying them out These
policies, as we have seen, have result
ed IN an increase Of taxes, the whole
sale pardoning of criminals, outright |
gifts of So, 600 fees of the peoples's
money to favored lawyers, contemptu-
GUS disregard of the results of county
primaries and the recommendations Of
county committees, neglect of official
duties at Tallahassee, the perfecting of
a state political machine" and other
highly Objectionable features, which
are repugnant tC the wishes and spirits
of the patriotic and progressive people
of Florida.
Fifth, as is we'll known, Mr.. Stockton
is the implicable political foe Of Senator
Taiaferro and Congressman Clark; and
should he be chosen Governor, there
would be no harmony, no cooperation
between him and our representatives at
Washington. Indeed, his bitter parti-
san spirit would betray him into efforts
TO discredit them by trying TO thwart
their plans and purposes in Warrington
and thus infict injury upon Florida. II
we want our State TO continue 20 re-
eeive blessings from the national gov
eminent, there must be harmony be-
tween our Governor and our members
Of Congress, and this cannot be If Mr..
Stockton is made Governor.
Sixth, those who know Mr.. Stockton
best, and are, therefore, better judges
than all others of his character, his
fitness and qualifications, his neighbOrs
in his home ward Of Jacksonville and Of
his home county Of Duval, by their
votes virtually advise the people Of
Florida not to make him Governor. In
the late primary, they gave majority
of 15S against him in his home ward and
q majority Of 1853 against him in his
home county. Would any sane person
regard that vote as a Recommendation
As a seventh objection showing Mr..
Stockton's personal selfshness in his
political designs, we might present in
detail the successful scheme Of himself
and his close allies, where they control
the financial affairs Of Jacksonville, and
Mr.. Stockton gets the benefits and is
given pecuniary advantages that would )
not be bestowed upon any one outside
Of his political circle, while his confed-
crate, Mr.. j. M. Bars, under this
scheme is the perpetual city attorney
Of Jacksonville; and we might justly
argue from this that the political trium-
virate TO which Mr.. Stockton nOtoriOusly
belongs, eontemplates a similar scheme
of State financiering for the benefit Of
themselves and their immediate allies.
But the six objections given above,
which have never been answered and
cannot be refuted by Mr.. StocktOn's {
most ardent advocates, ought TO be
sufficient TO convince any one having !,
the true interests Of the State at heart !
that it would be a very grave mistake
indeed to elect Mr.. Stockton Governor
Of Florida.
On the other hand, not a single one
Of the above objections can be urged 4
against General Gilchrist, whose neigh
0ors know him to be high-tOned, hon 4;
Orable gentleman, with no selfish ends I
in view-a man, who. Notwithstanding !
the outrageous ISLANDERS now being cir :
culated against him, cannot be swerved
from a course of rectitude and earnest y
devotion to the interests Of the State =
by all his friends put together, much :
less by the keepers of baF-roOms and !
The agents of corporations. These peO-
pie. If they are supporting him, are do :
ng so because they know him TO be :
iair, just, honorable man, and it is an
slander to say that they will :
control him. -Punta Gorda Herald,
June 4th.