The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1914-11-26
Ex-Judge Reagan Ex-
plains, and Threatens
McDonough, Ca, Nov. 10, 1914.
Editor Jeffersonian,
Thomson, Ga.


newspaper controversies,
nave, SO far, refrained from making
any reply to the criticisms of my
conduct as Chairman of the State
Democratic. Executive Committee
which have, from time to time. ap-
peared in your paper as we'll as other
papers in the State, although some
OF them have been most unfriendly.
But when I am charged with being a
bolter by two of your correspondents
from my own county, in your paper
this week, | feel that a reply should
DE made to these communications.
One or these communications is
signed by E. B. Daniel; no name is
signed to the other, the author
merely signing his name Progress
s1Ve.' Had these correspondents
given all the facts connected with
the matter about which they under
took to write no reply would have
been necessary, but you can never
expect fair treatment from political
bushwhackers. It is true that de-
cuned to vote for Mr.. Bryan in 1896.
This is well known to most of the
people of Henry County for never
made any secret of it. 1t is also
true that I have never made any
apology for it. This is also well
known. [ did not vote for Palmer
and Buckner. This is also we'll
known, and if E. B. Daniel and "Pro-
gressive" did not know it, they could
very easily have found it out. AS is
we'll known by those who were fani-
liar with the party practice, in 1896,
no primary was held for Presiden
Delegates to the State Convention
were selected in mass meeting, and
delegates to the National Convention
were selected by the State Conven-
ton. A meeting was held in the
courthouse in this county and dele
gates to the State Convention were
selected. | did not attend this meet
ing, neither did I attend the State or
National Convention. I never par
ticipated in any way in the nomiEa-
ton for President that year, and had
nothing in the world to do with this
nomination. There was a split in
the party that year. The regular
Convention nominated Mr.. Bryan,
and the Gold Democrats nominated
Mr.. Palmer. l did not vote for either
of them in the general election.
never voted for President at all that
year I thought then that I had a
right to decline to vote for either
of the candidates, as l had not par
tlcipated in the nomination of either
of them, and think so yet, and have
never apolOgized to any one for hav-
ing done so and never expect to. In
1898, when [ was a candidate for
Judge, this charge was made against
me and was thoroughly aired before
Governor Atkinson, with the result
that It was turned down and I was
appointed. It was made again, be-
fore the Legislature, and was again
turned down and I was elected. In
both these contests | was opposed
by one of the best lawyers in the
circuit So completely was the fight
whipped before the Legislature that
my opponent withdrew before the
ballot was taken and I was elected
without opposition. Four years later
7 was a candidate for reelection be-
fore the people and had no opposi-
ton. In 1906 | was a candidate for
the third term and was opposed by
one Of the ablest lawyers in the cir
cult, and was elected by four thous-
and majority. When my term of
Office expired four years later, I
voluntarily retired although / was
assured by the members of the bar
of the circuit that if I would run
again none of them would oppose
me. But had enough of office hold
ing and have never asked for an
office since I deny that T was eveYS