The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-08-06
CATTs-coURT CANDIDATE

Referring to the proof Mr.. Knott sub
nnitted to the highest court of Florida in
substantiation of his claim that certain
votes had not been counted-a proof ap-
parently so we'll founded that the tribunal
in question decided only a recount of the
ballots could decide the question, daily
newspaper has this to say:
"He asks the courts to MAKE him
the party nominee. But the people Of
Florida will not accept a COURT
nominee"
Bear in mind that Mr. Knott never has
agitated the question of Mr. Cats consti-
tt1tiona1 eligibility, nor is he doing so now.
The Journal printed recently an interview
with Ex-senator John S. Beard discussing
the law on the question, but this was en-
tirely without the authorization or the
knowledge of Mr.. Knott The discussion
was not political in character, it was purely
didactic: seeking to interpret the const1tu-
ton of Florida which provides that no one
shall be eligible for governor who has not
been citizen of the state for FIVE years
preceding the election qualification Mr..
Cats will not have complied with until
Tune, 1917 Had Mr.. Knott taken appro-
pirate steps to declare Mr.. Cats candi-
dacy illegal, in order to overcome his pres
ent majority, there might be some rhetori-
cal excuse for saying that Knott was ask
ing the courts to MAKE him the nominee
But Mr.. Knott simply asks that the
votes be recounted. The people have al
ready MADE. their choice Mr. Knott
simply wants to find out who that choice
is.
Mr. Cats on the other hand does not
want the recount. Stripped of all piffIt
and partisanship, the reason why he does
not want recount is that he is afraid hi,
majority will be upset; and in using every
legal resource possible to prevent recount
is he not putting his nomination up to the
courts?
One argument Mr.. Cats uses agains
the recount is that the Bryan primary Law
under which the election was held was I'm
constitutional as regards the second choice
vote. He therefore appeals to the court!
to throw Mr.. Knott's request out and al
low his nomination to stand Is not thi
putin gthe nomination squarely up to tn
courts?
Failing to gain that point, Mr.. Cats
through his attorneys, has advanced thi
remarkable plea, in the mandamus cas-
brought by Mr.. Knott last week to requir
the clerks in certain precincts of Duval an,
Putnam counties to reconvene and recoun
the votes:
Namely, that Mr.. Knott wasn't eligib1
to run after all! Thus explained:
Mr.. Knott signed an oath, when he an
nounced his candidacy, declaring "I an
qualified to fill the office of governor"
The oath did not say, argued Mr. Cats
counsel, 4 will be qualified but the Ian
guage is in the present tense. But, say
learned counsel, he could not be qualife
unless he had previously resigned as comp
troller
Fortunately this plea fell of its ow
weight Had it carried, we would hav
confusion worse confounded: for it woul
automatically throw out Governor Tram
melrs election. for he was still governo
when he ran for the senate
Is not this putting Cats nominatio
squarely into the hands of the courts?
Had Mr.. Knott pressed the question {
Mr.. Cats ineligibility, we would be abb
to understand the psychology of this pie
of Mr.. Catts-if not the logic. But M
Knott has done nothing of the kind. H
has accused Mr.. Cats of nothing. he hs
not questioned Mr.. Cats qualification
The only thing Mr.. Knott is interested
is, KNOWING what the people have d.
Cided