The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1919-05-16
Russell Challenges the Combina-
ton.
Russell Central Campaign
Committee

ZION.
Russell Central Campaign
Committee
Jackson. Miss. May |, 1919.
O. G.. Johnson Headquarter,
\. II. Longino Headquarters,
Ross Collins Headquarters.
Jackson, Miss.
Gentlemen:
Il have been challenged and
have met one of you gentlemen
at Okolona. and have now in
Vited Mr.. Johnson 10 90 with me
to Ripley on Monday, MAY 5th,
my regular speaking appoint
ment, but as YOU gentlemen, as
everyone in Mississippi knows,
are all three running against me,
and all three have the same plat
form, that is, anything on earth
to beat Lee NJ. Russell for Gov
ernor, | think il is nothing but
fair that YOU should meet me
turn about, and SO | here and
now challenge all three of you
TO meet me in that manner at
every speaking appointment that
| have from now until August. "
Il enclose herein a list of my
appointments for the next week,
that is, beginning Monday, May
9Th, and if you gentlemen accept
this challenge | will keep you
posted time ahead so that you
can meet me turn about as | have
suggested.
Il will be pleased to hear from
you as / am sure the people of
Mississippi also willsbe."
Very truly yours,
LEE NJ. RUSSELL.
Lieutenant Governor.
The above challenge gives a
pointer as to the campaign now
being Waged in Mississippi for
governor The people have
demonstrated at the polls that
they believe in a fair tote and a
free for all opportunity for every
candidate 10 fight. in the open.
They will expect thatthe three
candidates who are charged in
the above challenge as having
combined 10 defeat Lee NJ. Rus
sell for the governorship will
meet him face TO face, one
one at time, and in Joint de-
bate. Each candidate has an
nOunCed his platform, some of
them lodging the main issue Of
taxation by opposition TO the
present system and proposing no
plan TO take care of this vexing
problem. Mr.. Russell is above
board on this question when he
states in the third plank of his
platform, 'All property should be
Justly assessed; the tax burden
should be equal On all property;
tax dodgers should be OutlaWed."
He proposes a specific plan to
accomplish this righteous result.
One Of the candidates of the
combination, Mr.. O. O. John
ston, answers this straight from
the shoulder pronouncement by
simply inveighing against the
present state taxing commission
as now constituted at Jackson.
He offers no substitute, but wish
es the people TO leave this matter
entirely to himself and a wise
legislature" which he urges them
TO elect In short, he is asking
them TO elect "a pig in poke"
The people, however, are likely
10 be "aS men from MiSSouri;"
they will want, at least, to know
something OF the principle pro
posed in the plan, and the char
acter of the machinery that is
contemplated to carry ii out.
The day of faith in politics has
about wagged out, especially
with men who have records
which show that their personal
political preference outweighed
the peoples will in the official
vote which they cast for a United
States Senator in 1910. By all
means, let the three gentlemen
charged and challenged by Lee
NJ. Russell meet him, one at a
time. in joint debate. Let each
have a fair tote and a free for all
opportunity in the open.
In August thereafter. let the |
people go 10 the polls and decide |
the winner in their righteous
Judgment. knowing what he has
stood for and expecting him to
perform it,