The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-05-12
SIDE OF THE STORY

u
It is not necessary to remind the
reader that the Star Is supporting
Senator Fletcher for reelection to
the Senate, but that is probably all
the more reason why 1t should give
Mr.. Stockton's side of the story with
accuracy and without comment
Mr. Stockton, as announced, was
at the bandstand at o'clock Mon
day evening, and with him were sew
eral prominent citizens. 1t looked
at that time as though he would
have no audience, but as soon as, af-
ter Mr.. Gary's introduction, he be-
gan to speak, people came forward
from the sidewalks and corners of
the square until hundred or more
were gathered around the band
stand.
Mr.. Stockton is not an orator. He
has evidently trained himself to
speak and think at the same time,
and it is plainly work for him. At
the same time, he is a good taIker.
He says what he has to say clearly
and interestingly, and impresses all
by his earnestness. He. does net
deal in generalities, but goes to his
point.
1t must also be evident that Mr..
Stockton is not an office seeker, in
the generally accepted sense of the
term. AS all know, he does not
need the office he seeks nor the mon
ey there is in it. He is successful
business man, and there is no reason
to believe that he will better himself
financially by taking any Office in the
gift of the people of Florida. One
. cannot help believing that he is en-
!. tirely sincere in what he proclaims,.
that he has planned out great con-
structive' work for the people of
Florida and seeks office because he
sincerely desires to put his, plan into
effect.
Mr.. Stockton began his talk by as
sailing the position Senator Fletcher
took against the progressives in re-
gard to the measure entitled "A Bill
to regulate Commerce" which was
mp before the Senate in June, 1910.
This bill, first entitled the presidents
bill, because it was framed with the
advice of the attorney general and
by the desire of the president, was
intended to give more power to the
Interstate Commission and reform
many abuses of railroad traffic. 1t
was thoroughly worked over in Con-
Sress, and was supported by the pro-
sgressive element. The bill passed the
Senate June 3, 1910, by vote of SO
to 10, and among the votes against
1t was that of Senator Fletcher.
Mr.. Stockton then paid his re-.
spects to the rural credits bill in
which Senator Fletcher has been so
much interested, and declared that
it would be of no help to the farmer.
He advanced the Sound theory that
a system of loaning much money to
many creditors at. low interest and
on good security would rebound to-
the prosperity of the country. He
declared his intention, if elected, to
frame and introduce measure that
would be of real use to the farmers.
He gave the example of some coun-
tries where his plan had been sue
cessfully tried. 1t must be remem
bered that Mr.. Stockton is practi-
cal and successful banker, and his
opinion is entitled to consideration.
AT this point in his speech, when
Mr.. Stockton had just won hearty
round of applause from his audience,
the fire alarm sounded and the
blaze from the burning machine
shop lit up the north end of the
city. The crowd melted away like
magic; all regretted to leave the
speaker but William ]. Bryan could
not hold an audience under the cir
cumstances.
1t seeming to the Star that it was
only justice to Mr.. Stockton and his
friends among its readers that Mr..
Stockton should have an opportun-
ity to present his ideas in full, re-
porter went with him to his room at
the Harrington and interviewed him
at length.
Mr. Stockton declared that he did
not consider Mr.. Fletcher sufficient
Iy a business man to represent the
interests of the state. He cited an
instance of his working for pro-
vision in the tobacco tariff, Which, by
requiring manufacturers to pay in
spectors, something the big firms