The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1916-08-25
FROM STURK|E
f Orme er Committeeman
States Position on His
Published Letters.
Dade City, Aug. 21, 1916.

Editor Palatka News:
Dear Sir: l want the Democrats
of this State to know that the at
tack made by Mr.. Knott upon me is
false, libelous and without founda-
tion III fact. am not for old Cats
and never will be; l have never
spoken civilly to him or to any of
his henchmen. Under no consider
alton could l ever lend my aid to one
who has conducted a campaign Of
hate and ignorance, as Cats has
done; then to have one | have trust
ed as have Mr.. Knott, to come out
and accuse me Of such an unholy al
liGnce with an itinerant old hypo-
critic, aside from being breach of
professional etiquette of the broad
est nature, is very painful personal
affront, and more than | can under
stand.
have supported Mr.. Knott in sea-
son and out of season, and have pub
licly defended his action in institu-
ting this contest and his whole course
from the commencement of the suits
and expect to continue to support
him until he is declared the nominee
which l think he will be, regardless
of this unwarranted and libelous at
tack he has made upon me. In do
ing so, l am defending the Demo-
cratic party and not Mr. Knott indi-
vidually, and would defend any one
else under the same circumstances.
There is no reason why Mr.. Knott
should get so desperate as to assail
| frin bo i,o1x
will not gain him any friends, but on
the contrary, he will lose many
friends by this unwarranted attack.
| have faith in the integrity of
cur courts and am going to abide by
their decision.
| am forced to submit to the fact
that my correspondence with Messrs.
Knott and Adams was tainted with
ver-enthusiasm in Mr.. Knott's be-
half, but was writing to them un-
reservedly, as | would to a friend
and client, and did not have the
slightest idea that either of these
gentlemen would violate a confidence,
but | find that | have been mistaken.
| have no personal knowledge of
any votes anywhere being tampered
with. The ballot boxes in this county
arc intact.
Mr.. Knott says that l did not re-
ply to Mr.. Adams communication
wherein he requested me to secure
the mandamus. This is absolutely
false. Immediately upon receipt of
the communication | went before
Judge Reaves and secured an alter
native writ and had the same served
upon the county judge and supervi-
sor of Registration, thus securing 8.
copy of the tally sheets; these CO.
pies being made by the county judge
any my stenographer, Mr.. A. G.
Knight, | not being present during
the making Of the same.
| want the Democrats to UNDER
stand that l am not lined up with
Cats and have never entered into
any kind Of an agreement or frame
up with him or any of his henchmen,
but, on the contrary, have fought the
principles that he advocates and will
continue to fight these principles un-
til the Democratic party is purged
of such men as Cats and his hench-
men.
!. Please give this matter all the pub
licity possible and make such COM
ment on it as you shall see fit, as l
desire to be put in my true light be-
fore the TRUE DEMOCRATS, and
want the Cattites to know that do
not favor them in one single particu-
lar.
/ will thank you to mail me a copy
of the issue containing this letter.
Very respectfully,
R. B. STURKIE.