The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1916-10-16
CONSPIRACY AGAINST CLARK

There is strong reason TO believe
that conspiracy, which has its prin-
cipal backing among renegade demo-
Gratis, is on foot to defeat Frank Clark
for Congress.
AS everybody knows, Mr.. Clark is
the democratic nominee for the second
district. Marion county was added to
the district in 1913, since which time
he has shown most decided DISPOSE
ton to do all in his power as con-
gresham for the county. Mr.. Clark
has been in Congress for dozen
years and is recognized as one of the
best and strongest men in the House.
He is chairman of one of the most
important committees and has mem
bership and influence most useful to
his state on others. He was renomi-
mated by large majority in 1914.
This year he had no opposition, and
according to the primary law became
automatically the nominee.
Two or three weeks ago, in Jackson
vile, the prohibition party of the
state, in a convention attended by
possibly dozen members, nominated
Francis P. Coffin for congressman
from the second district. This of
course was all right and regular, but
what isn't is the tactics being employ
ed against Mr.. Clark not only by his
opponents but by men pledged to sup
Iport him. Coffin doesn't go on the
| platform and meet Clark in debate,
like man, but slips around and dis
tributes scurrilous literature against
him.
Among the literature is a circular
charging Mr.. Clark with obtaining
leave of absence from Congress, to
come to Florida, to defend the man
Russell who was convicted in the
criminal court in Jacksonville last
March on the charge of debauching
girls. None know any better than the
people of Ocala that Mr.. Clark came
to Florida on their invitation to at
tend social occasion in which all the
people of the town and county were
interested, that he was the honor
guest on that occasion, and that he
probably would not have come to
Florida at that time If it hadn't been
for their request.
| There is no name signed to this cir
cular.
There is only one truth in this cir
cClar, and that is that Mr.. Clark
stopped for day in Jacksonville and
i appeared in court to. aid in the de-
| Tense of Russell. He has positive
Iproof that all the rest of it is malic-
lious lie. It is evident that whoever
compiled the circular is q sneak and a
coward, for it is unsigned.
There is strong evidence that Sid
tney J.. Cats, who claims to be the
democratic nominee for governor, il
laiding Coffin in this war on Clark.
Along with this circular is being dis
| tributed other literature. There are
two slips, going together. One extols
the virtues of Cats, and the other ex.
tolls the virtues of Coffin. There is also
| a dummy state ticket for the guidance
Iof voters. Said ticket names Tram
NELL for senator, Coffin for represen.
tive, Cats for governor and then the
democratic state ticket with the name
| of Justice Taylor left off. The same
ticket appears on the back of the cir
lcular.
i The circular bears the imprint OF
| the Raiford Tribune. The two slips
land the dummy ticket were all evi.
IDENTIFY printed in the same shop, al
the type and paper are identical.
The Star has information that
Cats viii elf he has not already done
/ SCI pass the word to the faithful te
support Coffin and knife Clark.
i Coffin was in Gainesville Saturday
and Mr.. Clark wrote to him and hae
placed in his hands the following let.
tier:
\. October Ii, 1916.
Mr.. Francis p Coffin, Johnstown, Fla
i Dear Sir: A friend in Starke send.
me copy of a circular, which it il
said you have been circulating In
Bradford county, and presumably it ii
/ your intention to circulate it in Other
counties in the district. This circular
| is entitled what Would You Do"?
| Under that heading, the circular
proceeds to make statement about
| the trial of one George w. Russell, al
Jacksonville, Florida. in March of thi.
year, and refers to my alleged con
Injection with that case. You make
various other statements about me II
the circular referred to, and you con.
lclude these charges with this state.
ment: Il have official records to prove
ievery statement made, and these vii
| be shown to persons desiring to sci
them"
Il want to say to you that this circu
! lar is a tissue of falsehoods, in so fal
as it refers to me, from start to inish
and ! desire to put you on notice now
| that it is my purpose to be in Starke
!, Florida, on Monday, the 23rd day Of
this month, which is the first day 81
the fall term Of the circuit court 81
Bradford county. And at such time