The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1912-04-12
THAT NUCENT LETTER EXPLAINED
s. T. Sisrunk, Candidate for Reelection Clerk OF
Circuit Court.

let us have a friendly campaign"
told him that | would be very glad to
do so, and shortly afterwards he be
gan his present method of campaign
ing
If my friends all over the county
had not so urgently insisted on my
running again for the office, and my
groves had not been so greatly dam
aged, would not be candidate.
l realize fully that 1 made two mis-
takes: First, by signing the letter re-
ferred to, without having in it all con-
ditions specifically mentioned, but
knowing Mr. Nvgent, as / thought /
did, did not think it necessary; Sec
ond, by writing an letter at all rela-
tive to the office, as it belongs to the
people of Marion county, and not to
Mr. Nugent nor myself.
After the letter referred to was
signed and delivered to Mr.. Nugent,
he never gave me any assurance, in
writing or otherwise, that he would
not be candidate in the primary of
1908.
Every man knows his own con-
science, and under the circumstances
and facts in connection with this mat
ter, / do not feel morally or legally
bound not to run, and most especially
after the unwritten, but thoroughly
understood, conditions have changed
from what they were at the time the
letter was written.
My friends all over the county
have urgently solicited me to become
candidate for reelection to this Of
fee in the approaching primary, and
have said that this office does not be-
long to any one man, but to the peo-
pie of the county, and it is their right
to select an officer to act as a SER
want of the people. Therefore, | have
acceded to the request of my many
friends, and am candidate for re-
election. 1t is my purpose and inten-
ton to conduct a peaceful and digni-
fed campaign, as ! am very bitterly
opposed to political "mud-slinging, .
and am asking the support of the
voters of Marion county on my own
merits, and not on the dement's of my
opponent.
A great many things have been
said rejecting on my character, but
shall pass them by unnoticed, as
people of this county have known me
from birth, and the voters are the
judges as to whether am qualified in
every respect to fill this office, and
render good service to the people
What little property | have been
able to accumulate by economically
handling the earnings of the office is
in Marion county, with one small ex-
ception. The people of this county
certainly will not be deceived by un-
warranted statements that | am very
wealthy; however, l wish the charge
We're true. l help bear the burden of
taxation, and have always donated to
schools, churches and other charita-
bic causes just as literally as my fl
nancial condition would permit
l have home, and it is in Ocala,
adorned with the presence of lovely
wife, and two handsome children, the
ideals of my heart, and of whom / am
very proud, all being members of
churches in Ocala, including myself.
/ shall endeavor to see as many of
the voters of the county in person as
possibly can: however, it will be abb
solutely impossible to make house
to house canvass, on account of the
duties of the office requiring so much
of my personal attention.
l hope that each and every voter
will give my candidacy careful con.
sideration, remembering there are al
ways two sides to every proposition.
and not let small and petty things,
which the voters have nothing to do
with, influence them in any respect.
| have served the people of this
county as faithfully as | knew how.
and feel that my efforts to conduct
the office as it should be, and has
been, conducted receives the approx
al of the people.
If the voters see fit to nominate me
as clerk of the circuit court in the
coming primary of April 30th, it will
be greatly appreciated, and l assure
you that will serve them in the very
best way l can from my knowledge
and experience of the affairs in the
office. Thanking my numerous friends
for the great interest they have man.
ifested in my candidacy, | beg to re-
main,
Yours very respectfully,
S. T. SISTRUNK.