Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1914-11-19
TO THE VOTERS OF
MARION COUNTY:

With heart full OF gratitude fol-
the magnificent vote you gave me OF
November Bird, am unable express in
words how much ! appreciate the con-
fidence you THEREBY expressed in my
capabilities to properly represent tht
good people of Marion County, as well
as my honesty of purpose to do what
| | believe to be best for all concerned.
When the good old democratic party
of Marion County made me its staud.
ard bearer by bssto wing the nomina.
tion upon me. without opposition, |
| promised to do my best to hold aloft
the banner of democracy, and to make
an honest effort to achieve success, and
| thereby demonstrate that the demo
cratic party had been restored to thu
confidence of the good people of my
county.
When I accepted the nomination, I
fully appreciated the fact that must
have the enthusiastic aud unanimous
support of the democrats, and must
get substantial support from the re-
Lublicans believing the county to be
republican by at least 300, and in the
August election, that distinguished
iurist, Hon Robert Burrows, demo-
cratic candidate for Supreme Judge.
whom every regular democrat eonsid-
cred it an honor to vote for, lost the
county by a majority of 500, which
showed beyond doubt that the county
was largely republican, and as the
county had not for many years been
represented by democrat, / felt that
my party would very much appreciate
the election Of their choice to the
House of Representatives. l keenly
felt the responsibility placed upon me
and went to work with brave heart,
canvassing the county, pledging the
people that if elected, l would give
them clean administration, and
would favor all legislation that was
good for the masses and especially the
people of my own county
1t was thought by some from the be-
ginning that would not have the
cordial support of certain democrats,
because they claimed to have personal
grievances against me. This seemed
almost unbelievable to me when I re-
membere1 that these same democrats
had always held themselves out as
"the most regular of all regular dem
ocrats,' and seemed to entertain pro-
found contempt for that element of
independents, and who had dared
to vote against the nominees of the
party. Furthermore, it had not been
two years since | had been encouraged
by these same people to make the race
for Representative, and had pledged
me their hearty support. Sometime,
after receiving the nomination, l be-
gan to hear rumors that there were
certain democrats in the county, who
notwithstanding their previous record
for regularity, we're soliciting differ
ent republicans to make the race
against me, pledging them their sup
port When the crisis came and the
election drew near, they went out OPP
emily in the field and made an active |
against the democratic NOM
inee for Representative for Marion |
County, and 1t is said. went to the ex-
treme Of swapping votes in the Gov
ernor's race in order to get votes fol |
the republican nominee for the Legis-
lature. and this is somewhat indicated
by the result, as Governor Hooper
carried tire county this year by more
than $50 votes, while two years ago,
he had Iy majority of ten.
made this race with the strenuous
opposition of every Election Commits
,ioner in the County. The fact that
Orme, perhaps the most unanimou
democratic box in the county, was
without official ballots until 2:t5 in
The afternoon, it is said. deprived me
" at least twenty votes, and notwith
tanding the fact that the county was
'epublican, about 300 majority, aud
paving thrown ont by the JUICES of
he election 10 votes | feel / am Ell
titled to, the official count shows only
majority of three votes against me
To those of my Own party who as
umed the right to fight me, and
hereby destroy democracy's opportun-
ty to elect her candidate, I feel they
we're not fighting me personally, but
be democratic party, and leave the
with them and the par
y to be worked out in the future.
l made good fight and feel that il
had been given fair treatment sue
ess would have been ours, and
yould have gone to Nashville, not as
be representative of any faction or
lique. but in the interest of all the
God people Of Marion county, and
'ould have been just as active in
heir behalf while there, as was dur
az the campaign
With gratitude for both democrats
nd republ leans who voted for me, and
ithout personal malice toward any, /
Ii,
Very respectfully,
w. Fl. WILSON.
outh Pittsburg. Tenn, Nov. is, 1914.
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