The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1911-06-28

abolishing the preparatory schools at
the Industrial Institute and college
for girls and the A. & M. College for
boys on the ground that they were not
necessary when there are so many
high schools doing the same work. He
said that if elected he intended ofer-
ing an amendment to the state con-
stitution providing that each county
keep its school tax for the education
of the children of those who paid 1t.
Mr. Smylie's speech was well received
and he was given considerable ap-
plause when he finished.
Letter From Mr.. Stevens.
The next candidates called on to ad-
dress the audience were those for the
state senate. Mr.. ]. M. Stevens was
first called, but as he was Lot In town
today, being away filling another en-
gagement, he was represented very
ably by Mr. Fielder Cook, who, after
short Introductory, read letter Mr..
Stevens had written to be read to the
voters. Mr.. Cook Is a splendid speak
er and was well heard and given close
attention by the audience while he
read Mr.. Stevens letter. Mr.. Stevens
said in his letter that he felt that he
had prior claim on the voters of
Forrest county in this race; that he
felt that the county and city should be
represented in the state senate, espe-
cially for the reason that the State
Normal college might have a spokes-
man in that body. Many of the citi-
zens Of Hattiesburg thought the city
had made a mistake in paying two
hundred and fifty thousand dollars for
the normal unless 1--WE could get the
cooperation of the public and liberal
support Of the Legislature" Mr.. Ste
vens said in justification of his claim
that he was entitled to the support of
Forrest county: among those who
were interested in having this institu-
ton located was DR.. Donald, and !
naturally approached the Doctor in re-
gard to my proposed race for the SEN
ate, and DR.. Donald thereupon advised
me that he had at one time thought
of running for the senate, and had
made a trip to Jones county looking
over the ground, but he decided that
he would likely have opposition and
could not afford to run for an office
that paid so little, and the Doctor then
promised me his cordial support II |
entered the race. announced early
in order to forestall opposition from
any other county and held an open
field for three months and would not
have opposition today had DR.. Donald
kept faith with me and accorded me
the support which he so voluntarily
proffered. The Doctor himself will
give you the facts in regard to this"
Mr.. Stevens further stated he was
in favor Of anything that will improve
our roads and bridges; Juvenile re-
formatory; the working of convicts
on the public roads; the election of
Judges and other officers by direct
vote of the people; the re-apportion-
ment Of senators and representatives
that South Mississippi might get re-
lief, and that he would. support the
nominee for United States senator as
expressed in the primary.
Or. Donald's Address.
Dr. Donald commenced his address
by at once giving his side of the issue
as brought out in Mr.. Stevens letter
and explaining the circumstances con-
nected with the matter and his subse-
quent announcement. He said he had
told Mr.. Stevens that he did not in
tend to run for any office this year,
but did not refer to any trip to Jones
county to look over the ground. He
stated he had also told Mr.. Stevens
there would be required certain con-
ditions IL he (Stevens) made the race.
Three months after his talk with Mr..
Stevens, Dr. Donald, said he was pre-
scented with petition signed by nu-
merous Forrest county voters INSISTING
that he run for the senate; that he
was visited second time by a delega-
ton from the eastern part of the coun-
ty asking him to run, and that the
petitioners told him they were going
to vote for him and elect whether he
announced or not. He told them that.
of course he could not refuse to serve
them II he was elected. The Doctor
further stated that delegations came
from Wayne and Jones counties ask