The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-04-15

Senator F1etcher's supporters are
parading with more or less glee the
following self explanatory correspon-
dence as published in The Jackson
Vile Times-Union:
LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT.
March 10, 1914.
Hon. Woodrow Wilson, president,
the White House, Washington, ID. c.
Sir: As you may know, the demo-
cratic primary in Florida, in which a
United states senator to succeed Sen
ator Fletcher will be nominated, takes
place June 2.
Senator F1etcher's opponent claims
that the senator should be classed as
a reactionary and that his record in
the senate has been favorable to spec
ial interests and that he is not in ac-
cord with the policies and principles
of your administration.
| should be glad IL YOU would give
me the benefit of your views in this
matter, and allow me to use the same
in respect to these charges.
Very respectfully and sincerely,
(Signed) ARTHUR t. WILLIAMS.
THE PRESIDENTS REPLY.
The White House, Washington, D.
c., March "a, 1914.
My Dear Mr. williams: 1 have
your letter of March 18th and am very
glad to reply to 1t.
/ am surprised that any one should
charge Senator Fletcher with being a
reactionary. Certainly, during the
time / have been able to observe his
course of action, he has supported the
progressive policy of the party not
only with unvarying loyalty, but with
real energy, and has shown at every
turn desire to promote the best in
terests OF the weple through the. in
strumentality I'm 1egislation. 1 have
learned to feel the highest regard for
him and am glad to have this oppor-
tunity of expressing my confidence in
him in answer to your question.
Cordially and sincerely yours,
(SiGned) WOODROW WILSON.
MIR. Arthur r. Williams, Jackson
Vile Fla.
So far as The Journal is concerned,
it has never charged the senator with
being a reactionary though, had it
done so. the foregoing correspondence
would hardly afford much proof to the
contrary.
1t cannot escape notice that the
president takes extreme care to
qualify his reference to Senator
Fletcher by saying that during the
time l have been able to observe his
course of action, the senator has sup
ported the policy of the administra-
ton.
The time the president has been
able to observe" Senator F1etcher's
course dates from March 4, 1913, and
has been exactly Is months and a few
days. Certainly Senator Fletcher
has supported the progressive policy
of the party" during that time. That
is one of the senator's charaeteris ,
tics. He can ordinarily be found with
the majori.y-after the majority gets
in. His politics usually follows the
line of least resistance, as when he
voted for Lorimer and euioEized Bail
ey as the leader" of the senate.
The president of course is not MAX
ing any fight on any present mem
even passively support his program. He
would be a poor party leader If he did
He could scarcely have written any
other letter in reply to Mr.. Williams's
.. inquiry.
But If Senator F1etcher's friends
find 1t necessary to go to the presi-
dent of the United States to get a
certificate of character for their cam
didate, he must be in bad way in
deed. And if the senator is such an
extreme and bona fide Progressive,
why are the Reactionaries of Florida
all throwing up their hats for him?
The Jacksonville Times-Union, SEN
ator Fletcher's chief supporter in the
state. might answer.
Yellow poplar. or tulip tree. the lar