The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1910-09-30
The Recent Local Option Convention
From the Floridian.

From the Flordian.
The most interesting feature of the
meeting OF these gentlemen OF singular
purity" however, has been omitted from
any of the accounts VIC have been able
to find II is being told all over Jack
Sonville, though, and ought to find a
place in SOME chronicle of the times,
so as not TO be lost entirely TO posterity.
We give ii in the words of the man who
told US:
The meeting was called to order and
all the prelimnaries gone through in
proper shape. Nominations were made
for Chairman and eventually, as the
state has been told Mr.. H. w. Long was
elected. Then there occurred scene
that should bring tears TO the eyes OF
any who had believed that gratitude
was virtue gone out of existence, be-
ing conclusive proof that gratitude is
still a plant most tendcrly nurtured in
the bosoms of these various gentlemen
OF singular purity" for, as OF one accord
and with one voice, the entire Convcn-
ton rose in its places, and offered a
vote of thanks 10 Mr. Pleasant A. Holt,
for his kindness in paying their tranSpor-
tation from and TO their homes, and
their hotel bills while in the city.
IN. b. The only part of this story
that we know 10 be true is that Mr..
Holt DID pay the bills for transportation
and hotels, and if he was NOT publicly
thanked by the gentlemen of singular
purity" he ought TO have been. For
confirmation of this we refer any inter.
ested inquirer TO Mr.. H. c. Griffin OF
Dade City, Mr.. Griffin was approached
by an 'outSider" and tainted with being
the guest" of Mr.. Holt. He replied,
well, il was all right for them 10 offer
10 pay my expenses; travel on pass. ="
But your hotel bill is also paid" pur-
sued the interrogation This Mr.. Griffin
denied. "Well, without asking any
more questions, or leaving my seat here
while YOU do, went on his tormentor,
'I'll bet you what you like that il you
will walk up to that desk, uhc CONVEX
sation occurred in the Aragon Hotel
and say that you are a delegate to this
Convention and want to know what
your bill is, you'll find ii has been paid. !"
Taken" said Mr. Griffin, and went off
to get confirmation of his own state
ment. In a moment he was back, crest
fallen "Thcy said there was no bill"
he announced in "Chase-ned" tone.
And that brings us TO the Hon. Frank
Chase, Duval County's representative in
the Legislature. Said one of the curious
TO Mr.. Chase, "Say, Frank, now did you
fix it? Did you buy mileage books and
distribute them? Or authorize the agents
at various stations to furnish tickets, or
what? Tell us how you fixed it," Mr.
Chase grinncd rather sickly grin, stuck
his hands in his pockets and slowly
spoke: 81 don't reckon its any use to
lie to YOU, so I'll tell you. Ii don't
make any difference HOW we fixed it,
but we FIXED it,"
When the Convention had adjourned
and large number of the gentlemen
of singular purity" had returned TO their
homes, a few of the choice and leading
''sprils" decided 10 celebrate the sue
cess of their efforts 10 save Article 10
of the Constitution of the State OF Flori-
d." and incidentally TO put the State in
the hands of the Whiskey Trust, with
the negro voters they have qualified
holding the balance of power. OF
course the celebration had TO be some
thing unique and truly representative
of the occasion, and pursuant TO this
idea there was seen, late that night,
moving joyously, if not hilariously,
through the Red Light District, OF which
Ward street is the most noted thorough
fare, magnificent parade of the deni,
zenS of that district, and at their head,
steadily and dignified, but thoroughly
enjoying the situation, THE MAYOR
OF JACKSONVILLE, a "soiled dove"
hanging 10 each arm, while not far be-
hind and similarly escorted, came the
handsome and able presiding officer Of
the Convention of gentlemen of Singu
lar purity" Mr.. William Hines Prices
law partner, Hon. Amos Lewis of