The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-06-04

81 plant against to the Gov
8 I'll ernor and it remained until
ExM NS the opening of this campaign
Ig@sE for one of my opponents, Mr..
Ea@s Reese, to make wholesale
EsA charges against me. During
~ 2 the time have been in office
EA ssgs@zsSSSs Mr. Reese has not only been
a citizen of this county, but
zEgsSssA he was member of the Leg
islature (190O and county
attorney for a considerable
l-@@--@--&4 portion of the time, and |
submit that if these charges
justified Mr. Reese did do his duty himself
to the people by remaining silent and waiting until he
wanted the office before he said anything about my
gect of duty Therefore feel that you will be justified
believing that the attacks of Mr. Reese prompted
by desire get the office and by desire to further
the public interest and in considering the charges you
will do with full knowledge that they made by
who not dislnterested unbiased, but by who
seeking to get votes do not claim be perfect
that have not made mistakes, but do claim that I
have at all times performed the duties of my office
scentously and IN accordance with what believed
be my duty the premises No candidate for reelection
to public office since have been in politics. has been
subjected to many unwarraned attacks have been
this campaign but willing submit the issues to
the voters for their determination believing that will
receive square deal at their hands have conducted
clean campaign and have said absolutely nothing about
any of my opponents and have sought avoid newspa
per controversies with any of them but in justice my
self feel that should submit my side of the case to you
for your consideration, before you cast your votes
FEE SYSTEM
Mr. Reese says he is opposed to the fee system l
defending the fee system for am perfectly will
ing work for salary whenever the legislature fit
change the system Never during the time have held
the office of County Solicitor have sought in any way
prevent change of the fee system salary basis
and refer any member of the legislature incud-
ing Mr.. Reese who in the legislature in 1907,
whether have endeavored in any way to influence them
to change the fee system If Mr. Reese wanted to
the people and merely get an office for his pri
gain he could best do it by going the legislature
and changing the fee system, which is the only place
where it can be changed and then, he would be in a
splendid position to back the people of this
ty and ask them reward him for faithful service He
tells you that he has been opposed the system for
many years. and that when he in the legislature in
1907 he voted bill which introduced to regulate
the fees of the clerk of the circuit bill place
the clerk salary basis He does tell you that he
introduced any bill to put the county solicitor or any
other county officer salary basis that any such
bill pending before the legislature In of his at
tacks Mr.. Reese says that Every time the legislature
has tried to put this thing of business officers from
all over the state have gone Tallahassee and fought
against it. He might at least have been fair enough to
tell you that was not of those who fought against
it, and he might least have been fair enough to tell you
that never sought to influence him while he
member of the legislature any other member of the
legislature not to change the fee system Of course
have collected the fees allowed by law and if told
you that wanted the office for any other than
Tor the money it would not expect you to believe
because you know human nature as we'll as do If YOU
summoned the jury, although you may not make
but $3.50 day. you do refuse the $500 allowed you
by law; although you only three mile the
railroad you do not refuse the Eve allowed you by
law although you excused from without
ing on the jury during the day you do refuse the So
allowed you for the days service have received what
the law allows and and have done only what
any other person would have done holding the office
ALLEGED FRIVOLOUS PROSECUTIONS
When the law is violated the solicitor has no discre-
ton except to file information If the law bad law
has to be repealed by the Legislature The solicitor
has no right what laws shall be enforced what
laws shall not be enforced If he attempts do he
would be putting himself above the law-n1akine power