The Leader, enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1915-1921, 1916-12-29
TO The PEOPLE OF
BEN HILL COUNTY

LII gong out OF ONCE as Sheriff
OF Your county on the first of i an
uary, 1 wish to thank the citizens
of Ben Hill county for the many
favors that have been extended to
me. As you know | have been
Sheriff OF this good county since
its organization, with the excep-
ton OF two years, making in all
eight year. During this time it
has always been my disposition
to conduct the Sheriff's office in
accordance with the law; to per-
form my duties in fair and i'm
partial manner, to treat my poll
teal enemies in the same manner
in which | have treated my
friends.
My task i'll performing the du-
ties of Sheriff has not been an
easy one, as / have had strong
enemies, who have never failed
to try to embarass me in the per-
Torrance Of my duties. Regard
less OF the consequence to myself
and my future success, / have
worked with only one purpose in
v1ew--to see that the laws of our
state and county were enforced.
In this connection, in the en-
torcement of the prohibition law,
| have had great odds against me.
People who claimed to be staunch
prohibitionists have joined hands
with the liquor people and have
criticised me for my earnest en-
deavor to enforce this law. Re
gardless of this lack Of assistance
| have worked hard to enforce
this law, and | want to tell the
people Of Ben Hill county that
there is less liquor being sold in
your county at this time than ev-
er before. 1t is not my desire to
appear egotistical, but ! feel that
the people should know that this
happy condition of affairs has
been brought about by the vigi-
liant and earnest efforts of the
ShcrifT's Office and its assistants.
| know that some of the people
have seen fit to criticise me Sc
verely about my stand on the IL
quor questlon-some who profess
to be the staunchest prohibitions
ists-but | have done my duty as
| have seen it and regardless of
the criticism that has been direct
ed at me, feel that consciousness
OF having done my duty and I
know that when the good people
of Ben Hill county take a careful
thought of the past conditions
and the manner III which ! have
conducted the Sheriff's office that
they will realize the work / have
done All history has shown
that when man tries to perform
the duties of his office, in the face
of public sentiment and endeavors
to carry into effect reforms which
have been brought by the law
makers, he has met with criticism
with obstacles and difficulties, but
when sentiment has changed, like
it has in Georgia, and the people
realize the benefits of such re-
form. then extend to the officer
doing his duty the right hand OF
fellowship and apply to him the
praise of "well done, thou good
and faithful servant"
AS go out of the office of Sher-
If desire to extend to the people
OF the county my appreciation OF
the many courtesies and kind
nesses that have been shown to
me and | want to assure every
man that | am for Ben Hill
county first, last and all the time.
and my future desire is-to see Ben
Hill county grow and prosper,
and | assure the people that they
will always find me ready and
willing to assist in any movement
looking toward the material, edu-
cational and moral Improvement
of the county.
| leave the office with ill-will
toward no one. | love the people
of Ben Hill county and | want to
assure the people chat | am firmly
convinced that in the new sheriff
they have man who will con-
tlnue to carr on the good work
which / have started.
Wishing all the people of the
county prosperous and success
full year, | am,
Respectfully,