The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1910-10-14
THE JENNINGS
EXPLANATION.

The Hon. T. Albert Jennings of PEN
Sacola is ''von OF der most innocentest
mems on der road"
In letter TO Editor Columbus B.
Smith OF Madison and published in the
Sunday Times Union, T. Albert states
that while he was not present at the
recent gathering of the "singularly pure"
apostles of booze and more of it, held
in Jacksonville and the entire expense
OF which was paid for by Pleasant Holt
out of the campaign funds OF the organ
lied liquor interests, he nevertheless
accepts the honorS conferred upon him
by that gathering-the vice chairman
ship and place on one of the impor.
tant campaign committees.
Mr.. Jennings further says that he
truly regrets the effort that is being
made 10 bring the proposed amendment
into politics." probably because he
knows that his decisive stand in favor Of
the cause OF the organized liquor inter
eStS of the state will naturally antago-
nize those members of the legislature
who oppose this booze protecting Gle
ment, and will cause them TO vote
against him for the speakership.
Mr.. Jennings is a temperance man; in
all his life he says he hasn't consumed
as much as a pint OF intoxicantS." But
Mr.. Jennings, were he not so innocent,
would know that the issue in Florida is
not one of personal temperance. The
issue is one of law. Ii iS-Shall the pco-
pie OF Florida protect the legalized sa-
loon within its borders, or shall ii pro-
hibit Outlaw the saloon altogether.
There is no middle GROUNDING com
promise. T. Albert has elected 10 favor
the legalized saloon in Florida He is
an avowed candidate for Speaker of the
coming House in the Florida legislature.
For this office he has the active support
of Pleasant A. Holt and all his licuten.
ants in the campaign now being made
by the liquor interests OF the state 10
perpetuate the saloon. They admire
Mr.. Jennings very pronounced views in
favor of their cause. They would be a
lot OF ungratcful men not TO recognize
his worth as a citizen who has contri-
buted some responsibility 10 cause in
sore need OF that one thing. Vide
their special pride in the "Rev" John
NJ. Caldwell and the Superanuatcd Sun
day school superintendent from Marion
There is no doubt but that the local
Hiquor optionists in the legislature will
generally give their support TO Mr.. Jen-
nings But their number will not be
sufficient TO elect him. He needs
others. Hence his attitude as a "teeto-
taller" who personally abhorS booze, but
who is willing TO throw his influence in
favor OF perpetuating the booze traffic
on the ground that prohibition would
never prohibit among,a class who OPP
pose such law.
In his letter 10 Editor Smith, Mr. Jcn-
nings admits that "the saloon is a social
evil-that it is a menace TO organized
society,"" yet he opposes its outlawry
because ii is "drcam of an Utopia that
is impossible OF naturalization.
Well, we will see what we will sec
on Nov Sth next. Then, on the first
Monday in April next Mr. Jennings will
learn that the Florida Legislature is not
going TO elect as its Speaker a man who,
when the fight was on, threw the
weight of his influence in favor of "a
menace TO organized society"
They will elect a man who stood up
boldly and fought the evil.