The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1910-06-03
JUDGE DAVIS
LIFTS BROW Ard
Into the Limelight and Gives
Him a 30-Cent Appearance.

Ex-CongreSSman Rob't w. Davis
Our Bob The peerless orator, racon
teur, advocate and statesman, known and
loved from one end of Florida TO the
other by reason of his long and valued
public service, extensive legal practice
and participation in all the great politi
cal contests in Florida of the past rs
years, delivered an address last Tuesday
night at the Howell Theater in the in,
terests OF Senator James P. Taliaierro.
| The night was threatening. Vivid
flashes of lightning lit up the sky, fol
lowed by rolling, deep-toned thunder.
The sky was black with forbidding
| clouds. This aspect of the weather no
doubt prevented many from attending
the meeting who otherwise would have
been there. They were either afraid of
rain, or were Broward men afraid to
trust themselves at Taliaferro meeting
or both. Any way, not over two
thirds of the seats in the theater were
occupied.
When ii comes TO Judge Rob't w.
Davis, himself, every man, woman and
child in Palatka is for him.
In this senatorial race, however. the
people of Palatka are as divided as the
poles, with no more chance than they
of getting together.
The Broward people are willing to ad-
nit that Senator Taliaferro is indeed
lucky in having the support of Judge
Davis.
All they hope is that those who at.
tended the Davis meeting on Tuesday
night will also come out and hear Gov.
Broward in front of the new court house
TO morrow Saturday night.
Judge Davis was introduced by Judge
E. Noble Calhoun who paid an eloquent
tribute 10 the speaker of the evening.
Judge Davis voice was not at IFS best,
and this he explained was due to the
hard and constant use he had put it to
in the vigorous campaign of the past ten
days.
He began by referring 10 the strong
between himself and the people of Put.
nam county, and the utter unreasonable
ness of the suggestion that this friend
ship could be strained because, for
Sooth, some were now supporting
another candidate than he was for the
office of U. S. Senator.
Judge Davis referred especially 10
silly rumor that had been circulated
concerning reported Goodness" be-
tween himself and his old friends and
associates, F. j. FearnSide and S. ]. Hill.
burn. He told of how, six years ago
when he was making the race for COVER
nor, these true and tried friends, know
ing his lack of money and an organiZa-
ton, had come to his rescue; how they
had left their business and profession,
gone to Jacksonville and opened head
quarters and managed his campaign at
great personal sacrifice-a sacrifice he
would appreciate TO the end of time.
He stated that any reported break in his
friendship for these gentlemen was the
most arrant nonsense and was without
foundation. 1t was silly to suppose that
old friends, neighborS and fellow demo
Gratis could become eStranged simply be-
cause one advocated the nomination of
one man and the others favored the
of another.
Judge Davis said that in all his pre-
viouS campaigns he had discussed plat !
forms and questions of public policy; |
that such had been the plan of cam
from the foundation of the |
government, but that under the modern
primary plan of nominations it became |
necessary to discuss men.
He then took up Gov. Broward'S rec
ord. He showed where the governor
had promised certain things in his cam
paign six years ago, and how he had |
every pledge he had made to
The people AS he closed his reference
to each of Gov. Broward'S broken |
promises, Judge Davis stated that he was
casting no more reflection upon him
han his auditors would cast upon him
self had he been the victor in that
campaign and been guilty OF
he same acts
The speech was a most cuttingly Sc
we're but chaste arraignment of Gov.
3roward's administration. 1t was the |
niShed product of a mind trained in
he use of invective and sarcasm that
,utS into the very vitalS without leaving
In ugly wound; Of one who knows hu-
nan nature and how to sway ii at will;
If the Shrewd advocate who SiezeS upon
very weakness of his opponent and
makes it tell for his overthrow.
II was during the closing half-hour of
lis address, while he was paying tribute
O the faithfulneSS, industry and ability
If Senator Taliaferro, that Judge Davis
oSe to periods OF real eloquenCe.
AS stump speech the Palatka effort
If Judge Rob't w. Davis is entitled TO a
anking place in the annals OF political
,ratory in Florida.