The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1914-05-29
TO THE VOTERS
! Of PUTNAM COUNTY

In CllS my laSt WElICell appear w
you before the primary on the End
of June, wish to call your attention
to some thoughts, which seem to me
appropriate to the occasion.
As the time approaches for you to
nominate by your ballots, those who
shall be your representatives for the
next two years, it is well not to lose
sight CT the main issues involved, the
most important of which is that the
offices to be filled were not created,
nor do they exist for the benefit of
the candidates, but solely and alone
for the benefit Of the public.
One would often think from the
efforts made by some of the candi-
dates, that it is absolutely necessary
that HE should have the particular
office to which he aspires. Some can
didates will indulge in the most bald
personalities, as to their own alleged
merits, or the dement's of others in
order to obtain your vote. Some go
still further and actually misrepres-
ent, and for no other reason on earth,
but that they may obtain vote. Now
such methods would not be tolerated
in business for a moment. No buSl-
ness man or firm would consider it
anv recommendation for an appli-
cant to attempt to boost himself by
reciting and magnifying the short
comings of his competitors for any
place. Such course would be eX-
eremely detrimental to his reputation
for decency and integrity. Yet it is
allowed in politics. We see men who
pride themselves on their business
ability and reputation-the minute
they go into politics doing this very
thing, and the raw conceit of it; Civ
ing THAT as reason why you
should vote for HIM. In this cam
paign you have heard much about
why it is necessary to send a BUSl'
NESS MAN to the Legislature. Any
man can understand why success
full business man would be better
+ qualified to fill a position requiring
the exercise of business ability, fol
: instance, the governor and his cabi
net the clerk of court, sheriff ant
collectors office which are more o.
| less, business positions, and need mel
: of clear judgment and strong execu
tive ability, but the Legislature re
ouires and needs different line o
talent. The great legislators of tn
S past have not been men of consplcu
Gus business shrewdness or ability
5. as for instance Socrates, Cicero, Pitt
Jefferson, A. H. Stephens, Gladstone
5 and many others Of our own tim
- and country. The business man a
: such, can see but one side of a prof
<. lem--his own, the legislator shout
It be able to see all sides of any ques
ton and act according TO the dictate
n of Mercy, Justice and Truth, regard
less of the effect on his own pecur
= iary interests. No doubt the made
:, quacy of many of our laws has bee
{. due to the fact that we have sent
sc the Legislature men who were NJ
broad or liberal enough to take
re public-spirited view of any question
is good enough business men perhal
d. under the local conditions wit
,5hich they were familiar, but fa'
~ lues, miserable failures as makers
laws for the public good.
he Now, the idea ! wish to imHre
nd upon you is this; the office is your
created for your benefit and yo)
re vote should be cast accordingly, II
of fbf any man because he wants "
49, to, or because he thinks he shou
La We it. AS you know, there are ii
candidates in the field in PuCna
county for the important Office
legislator. There will be many que
NV ti0ns of large public import for co
e- sideration before your next legl3l
&C. ture, and is it not pretty APT 10
The case, that the man who is mo
. 10 anxious to go for personal o" bu'
re- rcss reasons is least likely to ser
public interests unselfshly and wit
to cut regard to his own interests :
ek doubt you have heard that many lie
~ islators have made great busine
progress while acting for Ihe Peep
we And l suppose a man OF keen bu
nj ness instincts would make use OF
such opportunities. i am not askl
ef your vote for any personal or bu
u ness reasons. l have declared
~ platform, and upon that, and upon
lis reputation for honesty, fairness a
5. my fidelity to what few pubIp; dutl
is have been mine to do, ] ask your VIC
ur or June End, next. l pledge mys'
to do the best can to serve TIE pc
r pie of Putnam County.
Faithfully yours,
ay A. D. CURRY.
L.