Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1915-06-11
A DEMAND EFFECTIVELY MET.

Elsewhere we today print Governor Brewers
reply to Col. W. A. Montgomery's demand, made in
o recent interview, that the former should keep the
record as to the State penitentiary straight.
The controversy between the distinguished gen
tlemen is proving a discussion which is furnishing
more information to the public than credit to the
cause for which the Colonel contends, and he is win
ming no laurels for himself az a polemic or az au
honest, faithful official, intelligent in the discharge
of duty and 'thrice armed" in having his quarrel
just.
As it now is, the BEACON is inclined to think
"The quarrel is a very pretty quarrel as it
stands we should only spoil it by trying to explain"
We will make no attempt at explanation.
We will only make the comment The answer
If the Governor to the challenge is not merely an
acknowledgement but it is a reply so responsive
and unrelentingly non, evasive in its presentation of
facts, plainly bearing the impress of truth, that it
would be simply crushing to a man less aggressive
and sanguiue and.less overweeningly prepossessed in
his own favor and his own causes than Is the case
with Col. w. A. Montgomery.
Tenacious of opinion and persistently wrong
headed when once he has reached an erroneous con.
clusion, and having great faith in himself, he has an
abnormal confidence in the soundness of his. own
logic and argument, however fallacious they, lESiact,
may he.
Indeed. it seems the Colonel finds no difficulty
in persuading himself of his own Importance and
readily takes himself too seriously. The result is
the same as that which is common to men of ex.
cessive personal vanity, to wit: He becomes involved
in needless controversies and gets himself into un-
necessary trouble which a saner and more discreet
person would escape.
He is an exceedingly kind hearted, sympathetic
gentleman, loyal to his friends, and a pretty good
Halter of those against whom he cOnceivcs q dislike.
And his partiality for some other persons, to-
ootber with the strenuous ~animosity he bears, and
is only too willing to manifest to Governor Brewer,
betrays him into unwise u~tterances and unsafe
actions. and he does not show to much advantage in
the fight he Is making against Governor Brewer in
his effort to be helpful to his political allies, of which
Lieutenant. Governor Bilbo is easily the leader. Be-
: tween the two, Bilbo and Montgomery, there is,
however, a wide difference. The one is a misleadel
of the people the other is one of the people mis-
? lead. The one is q gentleman of honest Intent,
4 though weak in discretion and the other is-wel, a
self. confessed bribe .taker, a self confessed spy and
: i,former. and q stencil in the nostrils of decent pe0
ple who love truth and honor and decorum, and are
= familiar with his record.
t The BEACON is not the champion of Governor
f Brewers administration, but we may be permitted
S to say the Governor is rendering the State a distinct
service by the clear and logical manner in which
e he is putting the people on guard as to of!cial
n mismanagement, imbeclity and corruption.
No one believes that Colonel Montgomery il
s dishonest or unpatriotc, but outside of himself ant
h a number of Bilbo's followers, who hate the Gov
|ernor as the devil hates holy water, there can b.
e found but few persons possessing the temerity II
e attempt to defend the Colonel's official conduct as
e member of the Board of Trustees of the Peniten
tiary as wise, capable and efficient.