The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1908-05-27
HOKE'S LOSING POLICY
An Affidavit Which Shows H.
None Too Careful to Get Facts
A Slander Refuted.

A Slander Refuted.
During the progress of his snaocs
IN Washington, Ca, a few dave 49,
and in his speech in Dawson Tnoose
while he was discussing the distu
ch1sement feature of his platforn,
Governor Smith said: "a Rornt,,
can meeting at Marietta a few n,oal-
ago urged the negroes to paw nm tbo;~
taxes and vote for Joe Brown 60
Governor. The remark at Washiu
ton was promptly challenged nv n
M. Fitzpatrick, an ardent spnnor+o.
of Mr. Browns candidacy. who s+ots,
to the Governor that if he wonIS
prove his statement relative n 49,
Marietta meeting he would vote g.
Hoke Smith rather than Joe Brown
Governor Smith referred to h.
scrap book and read a Marietta enc
cial which was printed in the AtIonto
journal making the charge as renort
co. put unsupported by any name
Not satisfied with Governor Sr,i.,,
statement Mr.. Fitzpatrick, of Wash
ington, wrote to D. C. Cole. the cboir
man OF. the Republican committee of
CoDo county, and also the postmastor
at Marietta, and received tba foIIo1r
ing sworn statement of the affair.
Georgia, Cobb County.-Person.
ally comes d. G. Cole, who hninr
sworn, deposes as follows: am
chairman of the Republican commit
tee of Cobb county, Georgia, and at
tended the Republican conven+ion
held at the court house on AnriI 81
I9oS' at Marietta, the only Repub-
llcan convention which has been held
in Cobb county this year. At said
convention no resolution was adont-
ed endorsing the candidacy of los
eph M. Brown for Governor. and M
such resolution was introduced or
discussed. (Signed D. C. COLE"
Sworn to and subscribed before me
this 18th day of May, 1908. 7 also
certify that Mr.. Cole is postmaster
OF the city of Marietta. is one of orr
most highly respected citizens. whose
statements are entitled to full faith
and credit. (Signed)
JOHN AUTREY, Ordinary"
This shows Mr.. Smiths methods
In this campaign perfectly. He has
said almost everything possible
against not only Mr.. Brown but
against his followers. He seizes upon
every rumor against Mr.. Brown.
and without investigating pro-
claims it as the truth, backing it
l'somet'mes, as in this case, by a clip
ping from his own organ, which he
may first have got to publish it.
II he cared for the truth he might
nrst try to establish it, as did the
gentleman from Washington. but
this might not suit his purpose. as in
this case. In a campaign composed
principally of vituperation and abuse
ne prefers to use the slightest pre-
text to class the supporters of Mr..
Brown with negroes. To further
intimate that negroes will have any
hand in the June white primary is to
rise to the height of disingenious-
ness.
1t is a very short-sighted policy
not only to abuse the opposition in
ones own party, but to tell tales
mat can be so easily refuted. When
the above affidavit is read in Terrell
county how much effect do you sup
pose will be left of the speech that
he took so much trouble to make
here? How much discount, also, will
II make upon all the statements made
IN speeches elsewhere? Surely the
imminent prospect of defeat must
have caused our Governor to lose his
head.