The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1911-01-20
WEAPON OF CHEAP
POLITICIANS

very plainly the trend of popular desire.
Hon. w. A. Blount of Pensacola led
Hon. N. P. Bryan by nearly 5000 votes
and John n. G. Stockton by over 5000
this in total of less than 10000 votes
in the entire state.
Mr.. Blount had plurality in 70 coun-
ties of the state; Mr.. Bryan in II and
Mr.. Stockton in s. Mr.. Blount had
majority over all in IA counties, Mr.
Bryan in six and Mr.. Stockton in seven.
Mr.. Blount lacked less than 1900 votes
of having majority over both his COM
pettorS in the state.
In his home county of Escambia, out
of total of $500 votes, Mr.. Blount re-
ceived all of them but 29S. He carried
his home precinct solidly.
In Jacksonville and Duval county, Mr..
Bryan's home city and county, MIR.
Blount received, in total of I, 476 votes,
but III less than Mr.. Bryan and l27 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 major
ity of the votes cast in the state makes
necessary second primary. This will
be fought to finish in primary 10 be
held on the 31St inst.
That this fight will be "naSty" one
is already apparent. The old, but seem
ingly ever new, howl of ''the corpora
tons 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; at is fact that |
have been and am such attorney, but |
have no regrets because of il nor apollo
geS for it. My connection with it has,
however, been entirely professional and
concerned in no wise with its policies
AS lis lawyer, ! have served ii faithfully
and honestly, and TO the best of my
ability, and in the manner land not
otherwise as | have served my other
clients. Ii has been one of my clients,
and nothing more, and has notinfluenc-
ed the independence of my thoughts or
actions. \ x X | think
that the unprejudiced will fail to see in
such relation with that railway company
any Inconsistency between my duties TO
it and the performance of the highest
duty as a citizen TO the public, or any
reason why should not be elected 10
serve the people. My freedom from
any SlaviSh adherence TO that railroad
company is best illustrated by the fact
that for twenty-five years | have been
actively and publicly assisting in the en-
deavor to construct railroads into PenSa-
cola, which would have been competi-
tive with it, and in the effort, have con-
tributed thousands of dollars in cash,
and tens of thousands of dollars in per
Sonal and professional time and ser
vices"
Mr. Blount further states that in the
event of his election he will resign his
attorneyShip for the railroad and give his
full time to the service of the state.
Railroad companies usually employ
men of high ability. The state does not
always do SO. Perhaps, however, if the
state gave greater care TO the character
and ability of its officials it could profit
by the experience.
Mr.. Blount also has an enviable record
as public servant In 1885 he was a
member of the Constitutional Conven-
ton, being elected without opposition.
From 1887 to 1891 member of the ES-
Gambia board of public instruction.
Fom 1884 to 1894 and from 1897 to 1900
city attorney of Pensacola. In 1908 and
1905 state senator. In 1SS9-1S90-1Sq1
chairman of the commission TO revise
the statutes of Florida. In 1901 and 1902
member of the commission 10 recon
struct the Capitol building at Tallahas-
see 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 as
yet had small opportunity TO show his
worth as a public official. The only
public office held by him was by APP
pontment of the late Gov. Broward-
four years as a member of the State edu-
cational 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 10 his fellow cit-
zenS. He appears TO like the game Of
politics. But to the mind of the News
he has not started TO play this game fair.
The cry he has raised of the corpora
lions against the peepul" has no place in
the present campaign. 1t is raised for
political purposes. This is Mr.. Bryan S
mistake. His insinuation that Mr.. Blount,
because 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 pub
lie service.
Mr.. Bryan has started that sort of cam
paign and Mr.. Blount will of necessity
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 fight 1t is the weap-
on of the cheap politician. Its use will