The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1919-11-03
REWARD FOR LOYALTY

One of the funniest things in Flor
ida's political literature is the follow
ing from the Branford Progress:
During Governor Cats campaign
for governor of Florida in 1916 he
did not have more loyal supporter
than the editor of the Branford Pro
gress, and more grateful human be-
ing for such distinguished and infiu-
ential services never lived than our
beloved governor appeared to be at
the time. He kept me constantly in
his memory, and wrote loving and en-
couraging notes during the campaign.
Eut his massive bump of appreciation
Gcgan to show signs of defect immed-
lately after it was definitely known
that he would be the chief executive
Of Florida for four years. The thou
sands of proletarians who supported
kim with the distinct understanding
that their services would be rewarded
with a lucrative office, it is to be
hoped, did not accept of the kind of
position as was rendered me.
Mr.. Cats mapped out policy for
his administration that would reform
everybody and everything that came
within and outside of his constitu-
ti0nal authority, and to make these
desired reforms he needed men in the
different departments and institutions
of the state that would report to him
conditions as they existed. For in
stance, he conceived the idea that
something of a disgraceful and GRIM
nlal nature was going on in the state
insane asylum at Chattahoochee. and
his only means of getting such data
would be to have one of his Intimate
friends and loyal supporters (who
confidently expected to be rewarded
for valuable services rendered') to
become raving maniac and be COM
mitted to that little home on the
banks of the Chattahoochee river for
the unfortunate mortals that become
mentally deranged.
| visited Mr.. Cats at his home III
DeFuniak few days after it was
definitely settled he was elected gov
ernOr of Florida, hoping to be one of
the first on hand to select an office
carrying the biggest salary and least
work, but learned from the governor
after reaching his home in West Flor
ida, that all of the choice fruit in his
political orchard had been gathered
and made into jam. but that he had a
temporary position for me and others
that would be of valuable assistance
to him and highly remunerative to
those who accepted the offer. Here
is the proposition made by Governor
Sidney J. Cats to D. H. Moseley:
Governor Cats: "Mr. Moseley, | de-
sire to thank you personally for the
valuable assistance rendered in my
behalf is one of the most bitter polit-
ical fights that ever occurred in any
state, and you know | was in several
IN my native state of Alabama before
deciding to run for office in Florida.
But what | desire to say to you is
this: During my campaign it was
necessary for me to promise any one
who wanted office that he should have
it in the event was elected governor,
and do you know that there are only
about two dozen offices that must be
divided among at least five thousand
good citizens | promised faithfully to
L
so few apples on the tree? | want
man, and believe you will fill the bill
Creditably to yourself and me to go
insane, be committed to the asylum at
Chattahoochee, and during the brief
incarceration gather for me all the
reformation possible, as / intend to
put a dynamite bomb under that in
stitution if things are not just what
they should be. l will agree to have
you released from the institution as
soon as l am inaugurated governor.
viii you accept of the offer?"
D. H. Moseley: "Mr. Cats. realize
row, since you have made this most
fIattering offer to reward me in such
{. substantial and honorable way for
NY influence in your behalf. that it
would be an act of justice to society
to not only have me committed to the
insane asylum, but hundreds of
others who assisted in making you