Fitzgerald enterprise. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1895-1912, 1910-11-15
THE TRUTH ABOUT HOKE SMITH

charles against Governoreect Smith
The following Seys report read carefully and lay 1t
awav for reference chapter history worth preserving here IS
Thomas Watson the past weeks been publishing TO
the world the most unparalleled of accusations against Cover
elect oke Smith that have appeared print in the South for
Specific charges the lowest immortality and awlessnes were
made October IS and November discussed by MIR Watson
each week in his publications.
The charges almost beyond human belief
No publisher would have thought of reproducing them without
proof that would stand in court of law.
The Georgian kept faith with the people Georgia IN giving
them the unbiased news .
If these CHARGES were true uncomfortable duty to
print them and to join Mr. Watson effort to drive oke smith
from the eovernohp which he has been elected and oblivion
In pursuance duty began such inquiry as would eno 10
establish the truth fasity of these charges
The charges be printed here We consider them imprint
Hoke Smith accused being moral ep who has wrecked
deported unfortunate victims all Who during his
as governor advantage of the sister of state prisoner We
she was pleading for pardon for her brother
Mr. Watson in his accusation brings print the of
pie but be caused great suffering and by
publicity The Georgian will not use the names IN these statements
On November the following letter received from Mr. Watson
marked PERSONAL - o..-o, to,o
Ny Dear Mr. Seey-t my understanding that you stand for the
oraies for better type public office and for cleaner poll
tics Therefore view Of your purpose expressed the
by you time since appeal to you TO take SIDE win ne
The state seehng indignation against Smith Seize the
psychological and help mel Very truly yours
THOS E. WATSON.
The following reply was Watson the date shown
November 2, 1910.
Mr. Thos Watson, Thomson, Ga:
Dear Sr-n response letter of the 3s beg assure
YOU rightly said that stood for the moraes and OF course
by that The Georgian as we'll
The charges your publication have completely dunn
founded and surprised quite unable yet conceive that
they be You being of legal mind will agree with me that
right consider that they untrue until they are proved
But this retarded any investigations have been
making efacs have been unable to establish any facts
all house. and wi" be glad to have you give me any
ono could refuse to do all in his power to remove such blot
VIII you outline any proofs that will stand legal
attack and obge Very truly yours F. l. SEELY Publisher
In response the following received The given
in this letter by Mr. Watson printed We do believe the
parties should the embarrassment this kind Of notoe would
= ,g ,o,o
Dear SRI appreciate thoroughly your conscientious scuples
and your reluctance believe that charges true
statement as to Smiths immoral reputation while
Have interview with whose address 'ss is o7- =
damage received railroad accident and who beat
his wife half death when he learned OF the intrigue between h
Smith The latter obtained cousve divorce o the couple IN MACON
Try to get a statement from Mrs - whose address
was Given me as Box So the who the
Office obtain pardon for her boheT Yours trTy
The following letter reached US in the mail
Thomson Ca November g. 1910
Dear siPease have confidential with Walter Andrews
young in oke Smiths office the time OF
and find what he knows ABOUT the Case loulS
THOS E. WATSON.
These were Mr. responses that he give
his proofs which he claimed to have
The first man mentioned Mr. Wasons letter of the 9Th was
and willing to take the time to write sent the
two following kilograms within few minutes of each other
-, Nov 8, 1910
F. l. Seely Editor Atlanta Georgian Atlanta, Ga:
knew absolutely nothing charges Jersonan pertaining
immoral conduct of Smith while of the interior
Nov g, 1910
Atlanta Georgian. Atlanta Ga:
Have wired of his attacks Hoke Smith
The second whom he referred us wired as follows
Washington D. C, Nov IL 1910.
F. I. Seey Georgian, Atlanta:
giving statement till ne has to- wants to keep
thinks he will write Watson If