The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-05-23

Colonel William NJ. Toomer, candi-
date for congressman at large, last
nignt addressed the largest political
gathering held in Pensacola during the
present campaign. The night was
clear, the band was in attendance and
Colonel Toomer's reputation as a pub
lie speaker brought out a large crowd
which remained until the speaker fin
iShed his remarks. John G. Oliver
acted as chairman of the meeting and
In his Introduction of the speaker
asked that the voters cast their votes
for him
Colonel Toomer's talk was full of
interest. He discussed the issues but
slightly, which he said he had pre-
Eented through the press, laid special
stress upon the Importance of the Of
fee Of congressman at large, told of
his business, professional and political
record, and decoted some time to dis
cussing his opponent. L'Engle.
The speaker expressed his pleasure
at having the opportunity to address
such a large crowd but said he realized
it was not personal compliment, sim
| ply showing the people are interested
in politics. So often he said they are
| interested in local affairs but do not
| LAY attention to the men who are TO
make the laws.
| He said he had been in the race for
six weeks and his competitor had
! failed TO present any issues for him
| to discuss, while he had outlined his
/ positfon upon various public questions
! Mr. L'Engle, he said, had published no
! platform and has a delusion he can
| win the office by using his mud ma
chine to attack his opponents. OF the
six candidates In the FIRST race ne said
I1Engle was the only one who thought
volumes of venom againSe treiifssss7----,--
Captain OBrien, the speaker said,
had written him he would vote for him
| If he is in Pensacola at the time of the
second primary, and he told of his for
| mer visit to Pensacola, saying he re-
| fused to speak here because O'Brien
could not be here at the time. IF
should be in the second primary ]
| knew I would need the votes here far
| worse" he said, and would come after
! them then"
BUSINESS CONDITIONS CHANGING
| Colonel Toomer touched upon tAe
| grave responsibility which confronts
| the Democratic party in making laws
| to control the big businesses which
modern times demand and said that
| the men to handle these problems
| should be able to cope with the situa-
tion. One of the candidates seeking to
| help solve these things, he said, was
conducting a campaign of "bragadocia,
| egotism and mud while the other,
he said, was a student, business man
4 and a patriotic citizen"
He then told of his familiarity with
\ the antitrust laws and of his service
as assistant district attorney when a
| trust was prosecuted which sought to
| destroy one of Florida leading indus
| tries, and of his prosecution OF COM
bination between a steamship com
pany, the A. c. l.. and the Seaboard
| railroads. In these cases he said he
| had been successful and cited them as
| cases where he had represented the
people in a modest and limited way.
/ Pensacola's prospects of develop
/ nnent when the canal is completed
| Colonel Toomer grew eloquent in dis
| cussing, saying the people could not
| realize the benefits which would come
| from the opening OF the canal, ana
| with the new railroads he said he
| could see nothing which should stop
| this growth unless il be a demagogue
| in the United States congress. He
| promised, however, II he Is chosen to
| use his business training and familiar
ity with the law to stand hand In hand
! with Emmett Wilson to work for the
| Third congressional district which
| needs a great deal. It would give him
| especial pleasure to help Mr.. Wilson
get the money spent for the postoffice
1 building for Pensacola which has al
| ready been appropriated. He promised
| to help oppose the disseminating OF
| me Atlantic and gulf naval stations
| In his published platform the speaker
said he had written what he thought
a good amendment to the Sherman
antitrust law, the purpose Of which
is to make the law operative against
the parties or combinations seeking
CONTINUED on Page Two.)