The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-01-27
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, CHEAP POLITICIANS AND
THE METHODS EMPLOYED
Palatka News
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Mr.. Blount had a plurality in 20
counties of the state; Mr.. Bryan in IL
and Mr.. Stockton in s. Mr.. Blount had
a majority over all in IA counties, Mr..
Bryan in 6 and Mr.. Stockton in Z. Mr..
Blount lacked less than 1900 votes #
having a majority over both his COM
petitors in the senate.
In his home county of Escambia, out
OF total of $500 votes. Mr.. Blount
received all of them but 29S. He car
ried his home precinct solidly.
In Jacksonville and Duval county,
Mr. Bryan's home city and county, Mr..
Blount received, in a total of 3,47S
votes. but 1T less than Mr.. Bryan ana
1877 more than did Mr.. Stockton.
These facts indicate that the Florida
senatorial wind is blowing strongly in
the direction of Mr.. Blount, but the
fact that Mr.. Blount did not receive a
majority Of the votes cast in the STAKE
makes necessary a second primary.
This will be fought to a finish in a
primary to be held on the 31st inst.
That this fight will be a nasty one
Is already apparent. The old, but
seemingly ever new, howl of the cor
porations vs. the peepul' has been
raised.
Mr.. Blount is charged with being the
attorney OF the L. & n. Railway Com
pany, charge he does not deny. He
admits it. He says: TT is a fact that
have been and am such attorney, but
/ have no regrets because of it nor
apologies for it. My connection with it
has, however. been entirely profess
sional and concerned in no wise with
it's policies. AS it's lawyer, l have
served it faithfully and honestly, AMI
to the best of my ability, and in the
manner land not otherwise) as I have
served my other clients. 1t has been
one Of my clients, and nothing more,
and has no influenced the independence
OF my thoughts or actions. I
think that the unprecedented will fail 20
see in such relation with that railway
company any inconsistency between
my duties to 1t and the performance If
the highest duty as a citizen to the
public, or any reason why I should not
be elected to serve the people. My
freedom from any slavish adherence TO
that railroad company. is best illus
trated by the fact that for twenty five
years I have been actively and publicly
assisting in the endeavor to construct
have been competitive with it, and in
the effort, have contributed thousands
OF dollars in cash. and tens of thou
sands Of dollars n personal and pro-
fessional time and services
Mr.. Blount further states that in tn !.
event of his election he will resign mis-
iattorneyship for the railroad and give
his full time to the service Of the state.
lot
men of high ability. The state does not
always do so. Perhaps, however, if the
state gave greater care to the chara ctei
and ability OF it's officials it could profit
by the experience.
Mr.. Blount also has an enviable rec.
ord as public servant. In 1885 he
was a member of the constitutional
convention. being elected without oppo-
sttion. From 1887 to 1891 he was a
member Of the Escambia board of pub
lie instruction. From 1884 to 1894 ana
from 1897 to 1900 he was city attorney
Of Pensacola. In 1903 and 1905 he was
state senator. In 1S991S90-1S91 he
was chairman of the commission to re
wise the statutes of Florida. In 1900
and 1901 he was a member of the COM
mission to reconstruct the capitoi
building at Tallahassee. His record is
clean.
Mr.. Bryan is younger man than Mr.
Blount and from all the News can learn
is lawyer of fine ability. He has s.s
lyet had small opportunity to show his
worth as public official. The only
public Office held by him was by ap-
pointment of the late Gov. Broward-
four years as a member of the state
educational board of control. There IS
not only nothing against his record In
public or private life, but there is
much In that life to commend him to
his fellow citizens. He appears to like
the game of politics. Butte the mind
Of the News he has not started to play
this game fair. The cry he has raised
OF the corporations against the pee
pull" has no place in the present cam
paign. 1t is raised for political pur-
poses. This is Mr.. Bryans mistake.
His insinuation that Mr.. Blount, be-
cause he has had a railroad as one of
his clients, would be so biased of mind
as to be untitled to serve the people
faithfully, cannot be applied justly IN
view of his long and conscientious
public service.
Mr.. Bryan has started that sort Of
campaign and Mr.. Blount will of neces-
sity be on the defensive But Mr..
Blount's best defense is his record.
Mr.. Bryan will not successfully assault
that.
The News regrets that Mr.. Bryan
should start such a fight It is the
weapon of the cheap politician It's use
will lower him in the estimation of
thoughtful people. These people admit
that corporate control Of public Of
hcials is one of the great evils in our
government but they are not going to
say that an honorable attorney cannot
have a railroad corporation. or a mur-
derer, for a client. and still retain his
honor unimpaired, or that such clients
have so biased his mind as to unfit him
for honorable public service.
If anything was needed to emphasize
Mr.. Blounts character as an official
the vote of confidence by his home
people will supply that need.
Attention, Colored Knights
of Pythias.