The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1912-02-09
PUTNAM COUNTY
FOR SAM HILBRUM
Mass Meeting at Court House
Wednesday night Pledges
Enthusiastic SuppOrt.

|
to endorse the candidacy of S. ]. Hill
burn for congressman.
The call for the mass meeting was
signed by several hundred voters, rep
resenting every precinct of the county.
The evening was disagteeably cold, but
| in spite of this the court room was
filled when the meeting was called to
order by A. S. Willard. Mr.. Willard
stated the object of the meeting and
said he was glad TO see such represent
alive audience present, including so
many ladies, remarking that when the
ladies graced an occasion by their pres.
ence it was evidence that good cause
WAS being advocated. The organization
of the meeting was completed by the
election of Mr.. Willard chairman and
Fl. M. Fearnside secretary
Hon. ]. N. Blackwell was the first
speaker. He said that il behooved the
Democracy of Putnam county and the
second district TO bestir itself not only in
behalf Of Mr.. Hilburn'S candidacy, but
because the National Democracy needed
perfect organization to carry the party
TO victory. The enemy, he said, was
demoralized, and cooperation was all
that was needed TO make Democratic
victory certain. "The time is oppor.
tune for us 10 nominate Honorable Sam
uel ], Hilburn as the standard bearer of
our district Democracy" he said. "We
should give him big majority, not only
in this county, but in the district, and
there is no reason why we should fail"
Harold E. Merryday was the next
speaker. He said it was not only desir-
able, but in manner imperative that
Mr. Hilburn'S home county give him a
big majority Mr.. Merryday said it was
not necessary for the people of his coun-
ty TO show Mr.. Hilburn how they felt
toward him, for that was already known
TO him and TO them, but ii was neceS-
Sary 10 show the people of other coun.
ties OF the district in what general eS-
teem the Putnam county candidate was
held in his own home. LET us show
Them" he said, 'that we are determined
10 push him 10 success in this campaign.
Let US see that every person of age is
registered and qualified to vote, and
then see TO it that he voteS."
Mr.. Merryday introduced resolution
forming the Putnam County Democratic
League, and endorsing Mr.. Hilburn for
congress. The signers of the call for
the meeting were by resolution made
members OF the club, and those present
who had not signed came forward and
inscribed their names on the roll.
]. c. Calhoun made a ringing speech
in which he said it was of the greatest
importance that the people of the sec
ond district put a man in congress whom
they knew would do things. ."We
know that Sam Hilburn is that kind of a
man, he said. "We want deeper water
in the ST. Johns river, we want to de-
velop the commerce of our district;
there are great many things that are
needed and should be done. Let us of
Putnam county do all we can TO put Hill.
burn in Congress; let US say rather that
we are going 10 put him in; get every.
body TO vote that can vote-iuSt put him
in, that's all; we can do it, +"
Judge M. l. Coke expressed his pleas
ure at seeing so many present; "For such
a representative gathering 10 come out
here tonight when it is so uncomfortable |
shows that the people of Putnam county
are going TO stand by Sam Hilburn. You
all know him; you know him because
you have tried him. could add moth
ing TO his popularity by anything that |
could say; he has made his reputation |
for himself, could say nothing more
i'll were TO speak for an hour. This |
meeting is evidence that the people are |
with Sam Hilburn in this race"
Judge V. Walton said he wanted to
see Sam Hilburn in Congress not only
because he was citizen of Putnam
county, but because he belonged there;
a man of high character and unqueStion-
able ability, clean.
Editor Henry Mckenzie ofthe Palatka
Times Herald referred to Hilburn's rec
ord in the legislature and in county af-
fairS. He said that Hilburn had worked
Tor the good of the people; that he was
always found on the right side of public
affairs; he was recognized in both
OF the legislature as leader.
One single law that Hilburn had been
Instrumental in putting on the statute
books was that requiring the advertising
oi public lands prior to their sale had
'aved thousand of dollars 10 the school
und of The State, said Mr.. Mckenzie.
Editor w. A. Russell of the Palatka
News stated that ii pleased him much to
yet up and give his enthusiastic testi-
nonial. He said il was pleasing TO read
he comment of the newspapers out of
he district as we'll as in it on the candi.
lacy OF Sam Hilburn. He read para
yraph from the Lakeland Telegram,
which advised the people of the Second
district that if they wanted to "get
frank Clark'S goat" the way to do il
vas TO concentrate on Hilbnrn, who
vas the ableSt man in the race. "Now,
We want TO get Frank Clark'S goat"
continued Mr.. Russell. Crank Clark
las way of getting busy just before
1t took Clark two years to
all attention 10 memorial of the Flor
da legislature for the Haw Creek canal
frank Clark is bulldozer, but he
Knows now that he has an opponent that
lie can't bulldoze, He's got TO meet
sam Hilburn before the people of this
district, and the people are going to get
lis goat''
]. C. Calhoun Offered a resolution,
which was unanimously adopted, calling
lpon the other counties of the district 10 i
ally TO Hilburn'S support, and following
oud applause and calls for him, Mr.
1ilburn took the platform and addressed
he audience in brief. Among other
hingS he said that one of Mr.. Clark's
friends had written let
er TO the Jacksonville papers in which
le said il would be a calamity 10 send
nan 10 Congress in Mr.. Clark's place
Ifter MIR. Clark had had eight years of
experience. Hilburn said he had had
ome experience in law making, so far
IS that was concerned, but he contend
ID that he could accomplish as much
without experience as Mr.. Clark had
With his eight years of experience. for
.lr. Clark had done nothing. He traced
he record of Mr.. Clark on several plat
orm pledges the Improvement of the
81, Johns river beyond Jacksonville, his
Efforts 10 get refund OF the cotton tax
= 81.