The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1915-05-19
.VARDAMAN NEUTRAL !
ON GOVERNORS
The Senator Refutes Statements
Charging Opposition to T.
G. BiIbO.

Jackson. Miss, May 6.-Sena,
tor Vardaman gives out statement
anent his recent speech at Pontotoc
that will be read with interest over
the state, In that speech he warn
ed the voters of Mississippi to steer
clear of the CRATER and the hribe
taker and giver, and 1t has been
charged in some quarters that he
was aiming at Lieutenant Governor
Bilbo.
In order to refute that charge
Senator Vardaman gives the follow
ing to the press:
ITO the people of Mississippi:
In order that ! may avoid an
swering a large number of inquir-
les regarding a speech made by me
at Pontotoc on the 7th inst. | have
determined to give the press the
statement which follows:
1t has been my purpose from
the beginning of the campaign for
governor to remain absolutely neu-
tral. -Four of the candidates have
been my friends in the past, and
trust they are my friends still
cheertully acknowledge my obliga-
tions to them for support in the
past campaign. They are men of
character and ability and are SIM
ply able to take care of themselves
in this contest. | had hoped that
would not be forced to say any,
thing one way or the other more
than / have already said regarding
the campaign for the gubernatorlal
nomination, but it seems that my
political enemies will not permit
me to remain altogether silent.
while they contend that | have
no influence in the state, and | am
willing for the sake of this discus
sion to admit it, yet every speech
that make is misinterpreted for
the purpose apparently, of injurlng
Lieutenant-Governor Bilbo by MAX
ing it appear that am antagonistic
to him, which is untrue. For in.
stance, certain words imputed to
me in my speech at Pontotoc are
construed as a condemnation of
BiIbo. which is altogether without
authority of fact. or justification
by any rule of Interpretation of the
English language.
my denunciation of the bribe
taker and the bribe giver had no
reference to, nor was in any way
condemnation of BiIbo. The truth
is, | think Governor Bilbo did the
people of Mississippi a great SER
vice when he exposed the bribery
and rascality of a band of character
assassins and debauchers of IegIsIa-
tors who outraged the legislature
uf 1910, and defeated the will of
the people of the state in the sena-
torial election at that time. For
the service rendered by Bilbo to
the people of the state at that juno
ture of the states history l have
always felt the deepest gratitude
and | think the people of Mississip-
pi share my feelings.
Nov, to put forever at rest
any question about my position. l
want it distinctly understood that
have as much faith in BiIbo's ca.
pacity and fidelity to meet and per :
form the duties of the offices of
governor as any man who is aspir-
ing to it. He has proven his ca
pacity to take care of himself. and
so far as l know, he only asks for
square deal from the people of the
state who are to name Mississlppi's
next governor. hope that the
neutrality-suspicious. of my enemies
will not make it necessary for me
to say anything else with reference
to my position in this campaign.
1t is unfortunate that the race has
ueeD characterized by so much viii
ification and misrepresentation:
this should be eliminated and the
white Democrats of the state per-
mitted to vote their convictions
without reference to anything ex-
cept the qualifications of the candi.
date. +"
JAS. K, VARDAMAN