The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-01-24
HUDSON GIVES
POSITION ON
RESOLUTIONS
Says State Committee Was
Confronted With a
Serious Situation.
DEMOCRATS ONLY
IN PARTY PRIMARY
Voters Should Be Treated
as Individuals and Re
igion Not an Issue.

Hon. Fred M. Hudson, one cf the
candidates for governor, having re-
ceived an inquiry as to his opinion az
the religious test clauses" required
by the State Democratic Executive
Committee in his answer says, among
other things;
Your circular lettar reached me
after some delay. note that Won
request my opinion upon the reaolu-
ton passed by the Democratic Exsru-
tive Committee Of this state fixing
the qualifications of voters TO pledge
their support to the party nominees.
l assume that you desire my opinion
only as to those parts Of the resol6-
ton which relate to membership IN
certain secret societies and 20 reli-
gious opinions as tests Of Democracy.
| assume that you seek an answer
to these questions, not because Won
consider the answer Of any great inn
portance in itself, but as an index Co
something else, as the Gileadites de-
termined the identity Of the Ephriam-
ties by requiring them to say "Shib-
boleth." ! suppose You want Co know
whether, In sympathy at least. am
Catholic or a Guardian Of Liberty.
I am neither, but to make my position
plain to all who wish TO know 7 shall
first answer what appears 60 me Is
be the main question,
My answer is not partisan. II viii
probably not satisfy the extremists of
either side. II has the fault Of taking
middle ground, often a serious fault
from the standpoint Of political ex-
pediency. The man between the lines
Is apt to be shot at by both sides.
But / believe that ] am stating the
case as it Is and that my conclusions
are correct. That is my apology.
This brings as back 70 your original
question. Answering, Il Ia my honest
opinion that instead Of adopting q
drastic resolution at the committee
meeting, we might we'll have prscticed
forbearance. When Il comes 70 the
practice Of forbearance. somebody
must begin. move that we all be-
gin now.
To answer more IN detail, few
hours before the meeting Of the com
mittee, I was asked by a gentleman,
who knew that such a resolution
would be introduced. for my opinion
Of the resolution. II was his opinion
that it would tend to help my candi-
daey. I answered plainly that
thought such action would be inad-
visable. Ny advice was not further
sought nor given. Now that the
committee have acted, have nothing
further TO say.
It is my solemn conviction that the
question behind this immediate con-
troversy cannot be settled BY roso-
buttons and counter-resolutions
But the committee was confronted
with q serious situation. They believed
from public utterances that an effort
was being made TO induce the Guard
ians Of Liberty to oppose Woodrow
Wilson in the general election II they
could not defeat him n the primary.
It was their duty TO protect the party
from disruption How 70 do Il was an
open question. There was room Tor
difference Of opinion. The greatest
service that any one can render now
is to assist IN allaying the existing
autagonism.
But for me, as q candidate, the erux
Of the whole matter and the one
pertinent question Is, what has the
governor or a candidate Tor governor
TO do with all this7 Only this, 70
far as can see.
I may be asked whether I win APP
prove the use Of public funds for sec
tartan purposes or whether under
any circumstances ! would appoint a
Catholic TO office.
/ wish to make my answer 20 these
two points specific.
I would not approve Of legislation
appropriating public funds to sec
tartan purposes. The constitution
clearly forbids such use Of the public
funds and any officer guilty Of 10
should be held accountable for main
feasance in office
I would not knowingly appoint "a
office any person who comedies 70 the
Pope the right TO annul our laws or
holds any similar un-American views.
But the mere fact that the applicant
(Coutiuu@d on PnRe gix1