The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-12-28
miami Herald)

Senator F. NJ. Hudson, who mas
heen in the city for short time, put
who will leave for Tallahassee To-Day
did not seem at all disturbed by the
raising of the question OF his ehsl-
, bility TO hold the office of governor II
he should be elected to that POSITION
next year, when seen by represeh-
tative of The Herald, yesterday
morning.
He saio tnat ne thought that The
Herald had covered the point exact
ly and correctly in one OF It's eol-
toria,s. and had no doubt OF the
soun5ness of it's conclusions, that he
is eligible.
Asked as to his candidacy for the
nomination for the governorshlp the
senator said that he had been nam
pered. somewhat, by a recent attack
nj ,yphoid fever, but that he was
now able to resume the campaign ne
had really begun several weeks ago
He added that he was merely around
making acquaintance and was
roo,lv not much of hand to solicit
votes. and was standing on MS rec
ord made by twelve years in the pub
lie service.
Asked specifically to state his posi-
t;on On some of the questions before
the people and especially on the
question of Ever glades drainage
Senator Hudson said:
Ear many reasons have refrain
cd from issuing platform declara
tions so far in advance OF the PIT
mary election to be held next june
have not thought it advisable U
stort rolitical agitation in the stat
too carly. But the number VINO ar
inouiring when my platform Will ap
nearand what it will contain, is SUI
ficient to indicate that ! have man
friends who do not altogether shar
my opinion on this point. nav
not vet prepared a platform. VINE
T do. it will deal with at least on
subject of particular interest to Dao
county and the east coast, namei'
Everglades drainage.
"The acts of congress whereby u
United States granted to the state
Florida all swamp and overno"'
lands within her borders imposes
the state a solemn obligation ana
sacred duty. The grant is coupl
with condition which requires !
state to use the lands in question
effectuate drainage. The lahsua
of .re grant is by no means unc'
tain and to my mind admits OF
one Interpretation. The meaning
II is that these lands and the p
ceeds of sales constitute spec
fund TO be used for drainage p
poses,
at follows that every acre
these lands should be regarded
pledged to carry out the purposes
the grant.
"This obligation is not lesser
hut rather heightened. by the de
rati,n of the courts that the pc
70 enforce the duty rests with
state alone.
"These are the general princi
affecting Everglades drainage
which have stood since 1902 "
7 entered the State Senate.
81 have not recently been az
IN uublishing my views becau
supposed that my record procia'
them.
Il was an active advocate
Everglades drainage and supp'
of Governor Broward's drai
maasures when it appeared prol
that nv course would result II
retirement from the senate,
time when drainage was unpo
in the state and particularly
Dada county.
Il had occasion to proclaim
same views on the floor OF lhe
ate in the session OF l9lo, when
tical expendency dictated IN
should keep quiet. | ncurre'
obvions risk of alternating pc
suono,t in several counties
was affected by the bill | was
ino a bill to appropriate cert
tbe |. fund for their relief.
!. posed the bill solely because
sidered those funds consecrate
sinele purpose, drainage.
"When it comes to details
not welded to any particular
nroee&ure. and ! do not desire
because | wish to preserve IN
unh'Ysed attitude that ! would
term, upon any great busln'
dertaking. l wish 10 be open
ed. in position to learn as
ae 10 all questions OF method
icy. ready TO change preco
oniniors whenever the ca
drainage will profit by
chance,
s.However. | am unaltera
favor of the prosecution OF tn