The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-04-10
GLAND
Candida IS IoDA
(contlnned from Page ID

to secure a membership On tnak cona-
mittee-the most important Of al
committees to Florida. with its tre-
mendous interests and many niles 81
coast. He said it was his intention
to do everything in his power to se-
cure 4 public building for Lakeland.
but that Mr.. Phillips would call that
putting his hand In the pork bar
rel, and would not do anything SCI
reprehensible as endeayoring to get
public building for Lakeland, or
other Improvements for his district
He referred to the millions he had
secured for Florida as a. whole, and.
Tor his district in particular Mr..
philips had said his position wasn't
50 very important. and in the next
breath declared that the Rivers and
Harbors chairman had the interests
of the whole country in MS hands,
That Mr.. Phillips was not running
on his own merits-did not appeal TO
the voters on that basis but instead
attempted to rob him Of his char
acter Referring to the charge that
he represented the corporate inter-
ests while In Congress, he CHALLENGED
Mr.. Phillips to give one specific in
stance in which his vots was in far
vor Of the corporations as against the
people, He voted against the trusts,
and also voted in favor Of the law
taking passes from Congressman. He
denied representing any railroad or
corporation, and stated emphatically
that he had no pass. express frank or
other improper privilege Of any kind.
He challenged Mr. Phillips to give
any Instance. quoting the page Of the
record, In which he had voted for
any corporate or special interest. He
defended his vote on the pension
matter, because the Democratic plat
form declared for 1t, because d Demo-
cratic committee favorably reported
the bill, and because he thought It
right to pension all the old soldiers
He has now a bill which he hopes to
pass. granting federal pensions to
Southern soldiers He denied ever
having voted for Cannonism a.
charged by MT, Phillips. He closed
with An eloquent appeal for the sup
lport Of the voters OF this section.
Mr.. Phillips was given few min
lutes rejOinder. ana he declared thai
he would be glad TO set dates fol
Joint debates, and meet Mr.. Spark
Imam for full discussion Of the IS
lsues. He also took up some points il
AEr. sparkman's speech and comment
led on them
M. sparkman replied briefly am
feeiingly. saying that Mr. Phillip
knew when he issued the challeng
THAT 1t would be impossible for hi1
To make engagements FOR public De
bates, A 1t would be probably out 9
his power to make any more speeche
during the campaign. He did AZ
give the reason, but those informe
knew that II II because his wife
very seriously I'll IL a hospital at pa
timore and he may be summoned
her bedside at any moment
Hon. w H. Milton. candidate X
governor, was next introduced. M
Milton devoted most Of his speech,i
the convict lease system. He d
: clared that he was In favor Of abo
ishing the lease system, but that l
! did not agree with his opponents thi
the best place for them was on u
|, public Highways. He stated that II
scheme was impracticabIe from sta
B to finish That the expense In Il
; first place, would be heavy, and thi
the results not commensurate wit
the labor He further declared Chi
the humiliation that would be &
perlenced by the cunvicts If thu
were required to work under Il
gaze 81 the passing travellers on Il
highways would be great. Mr. MI
Ton declared that q much better pie
. would be to conduct State prise
& farm a. the Everglades, where tho
ands Of acres Of sugar cane could
raised, and that the money derive
therefrom spent on the publicsro
Be vent into this scheme at son
length, and closed BY asking the su
lpcrt Of the voters.
Mr. ". = Sears, Of Kisgimmee, "
h the next speaker. He spoke IL ,
d half 81 the candidacy Of John y
Watson for the GovgFnorahip N
seers, Fl very forcefutmannsr s
forth the qualifications Of the cand
date. stating that he was a success
ful business man. ana that II Il
people desired a business administr
ton Mr. Watson was the man