The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-03-24

1t became the law of the party and
the state.
He was appointed surveyor general
under Cleveland's administration, in
which capacity he called attention to
tho almost unlimited possibilities of
the Everglades. and worked out and
submitted a plan for their drainage.
He was an active supporter Of the late
n. B. Broward during his race for the
Office of governor, in his drainage fight
and In both of his campaigns for the
Office of United States senator. He
also actively supported Senator n. P.
Bryan during his campaign a little
more than a year ago.
Milton himself was in the United
States senate but few months, but
during that time he procured surveys
for New River at Fort Lauderdale, for
a ship canal across the state, and for
an inland waterway from st. Andrews
which latter is now well under way.
He allied himself with the progressive
Democrats in the senate, and voted
and spoke against the emergency cur
rency bill, which bill was largely in
the interest of national banks. He is
a national banker, but he felt that this
was a pernicious measure, giving. the
banks an even closer hold upon the
people than they already have, and,
therefore, he worked and voted
against ii.
CANNOT QUESTION PAST CON-
DUCT.
might continue to enumerate his
work and achievements unto much
greater length. But II is not neces-
sary here. I think you are probably
familiar with most OF them. I have
mentioned these specific things mere
ly to bring out the fact that his past
conduct has been such that there is
no room for question as to what stand
he will take In the future. 1 know
him well, as a friend, as a business
associate, and as a co-worker for the
common good. AS a man his life is
clean and his heart is warm; as a
friend his loyalty is unfiagging; as a
public servant his record is untarnish-
ed and is replete with devotion to prin-
ciple and striving for righteousness in
private life, In business. and in poll
tics.
He will not compromise a principle
which he believes to be right. I have
often seen him under fire in this way,
but one illustration will be sufficient
to make my point clear. In January,
1910, a number of friends OF the late
n. B. Broward CHANGED to be in Jack
sonville on business, and he asked
them to meet him at his offlce one
evening for the purpose of discussing
the advisability of his entering the
race for the office Of United States
senator. / do not now recall the en-
tire personnel Of the little gathering
that evening, but among the number
were A. j. Knight, W. H Milton, John
Crawford, NJ. A. Brown and myself.
Mr.. Broward, before finally consenting
to make the race, assigned number
| OF reasons why it would conflict both
with his business affairs and his per-
sonal inclinations. In the course Of his
| conversation he said that certain men
who had been his most powerful po-
litical opponents had assured him that
| It he would stay out Of the senatorial
| race, he could name the next governor
| of Florida. He added to this state
ment words to the following effect: "I
don't know how you gentlemen feel
about the matter, but I would like to
see Bill Milton eletced governor: and
I feel that if We could get him elect
ell, we would have accomplished more
| for the people of the state than could
| be accomplished by the election of a
senator. Personally I DO ont take
| kindly to this compromise proposition
| though, as 1 have already stated, am
| disinclined to make the race, but /
! submit 1t to you gentlemen for your
| consideration and advice"
| Mr.. Milton promptly replied to the
| effect that, while he appreciated the
compliment paid him, and while he
4 realized that such g. deal, If carried
out, would probably assure his cleo
ton, in case he should decide to enter
/ the gubernatorial race. he could not
/ sanction it; that IT would be a sur
render of principles for which he had
| fought all his life; and that he was
in favor OF making the fight then for
i what we considered best, and letti,fs
! future fights take care OF them
/ selves.
Il 1 trust that in telling of the little
conference, which will probably now
/ be referred to as an "ante-mortenl
Il caucus" 1 have not violated any conf
Il dence. I mention it merely for the
/ purpose Of showing the man Milton
/ under fire of strong temptation.
NO SLATE WAS MADE.
II And speaking of this little confer
! ence reminds me Of the OFT and widely
published statement that on the night
following Ex-Governor Broward'S
funeral, his friends, in what has been
referred to as the Pail bearers eau
Gus" made a full political slate. in
GLIDING Bryan for senator and Milton
for governor. No such slate was made
The facts are that a few of Mr.. Brow
ards friends, who had come TO Jack
sonvilie to pay a last sad tribute OF
honor to his mortal remains, held g