Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1919-05-15

1Hcil lcC us COuSlueI CIlc uSNI pIlIdoC
of these flaring headlines, land Is
Literally Skinned by Johnston. :" What
was the purpose of the writer? Do
you consider that statement fair? DO
you believe it? Aren't you convinced
that the reporter thought many read
ers would only glance over the head
lines and be thereby misled? No one
knew better than he that his state
ment was absolutely untrue, and that
his real intention was to lead the
voters of our state to believe that
Johnston had really defeated Russell
in joint debate which was equally as
untrue Just a day or two ago one
of the best citizens of Scott County,
who was in Carthage to hear this de-
bate, told the writer the audience was
free in cheering each candidate, and
that, in his opinion, the voters went
away from Carthage unchanged in
their opinion of the two candidates.
Since writing my last article | met one
of our state candidates who, though he
is a friend of mine, is "rantanker-
Gus" supporter of Johnston, and he al
so said that the above facts are true.
As these admissions were made by
friends of other candidates that Gov I.
Russell, one of whom is very staunch
friend of Johnston, aren't you inclined
to believe that their statements are
much more just than the gentleman
selected to report for Johnston And
after studying the intention of the re-
porter as suggested from the above
headlines, aren't you convinced that
my statement, "They want Johnston to
run against Vardaman for the Senate
but if they can't get him they will
take Longtime" in the last issue of this
paper is true? Further on in this re-
port it is suggested that Johnston has
accepted the gauntlet ard with the
view of forcing the Lieut.. Governor
into the back ground. Though this
report is unfair and intensely faction
al, the writer is too intelligent to be-
ieve that Johnston will ever force
russell anywhere. He thoroughly I'M
derstands that Gov. Russell is equal
to any emergency that may come dur
ing the campaign. He knows the
Governors qualifications, determine
ton and record He is not Ignorant
of the fact that the Lieutenant Gov
elnor has climbed the ladder from his
fathers farm in one Of the hill coun-
ties of North Mississippi to his pres
ent position. Then why try to mis-
lead the people? Our people must ev-
identity understand that, with such in
spiration and help, he will dare to do
all that may become man, and must
therefore win.
However, these old mossbacked ants
have some good qualities, one Of whlcl-
is sticking close together. 1t is not
uncommon to hear them say they don't
know whom they will support for
Governor, but they say they have de-
cided definitely that they will not sup
port Lee M. Russell. And they even
boast that they will see to it that no
former Vardaman supporter will be
elected to office in Scott County and
that Notwithstanding the unusual large
majorities Senator Vardaman has re-
eeived. Why should they insist that
no ex-Vardaman supporter shall be
elected? Haven't many of our best
men supported Senator Vardaman -!
Aren't many good men supporting him
to the present Those fellows seem
to forget that $4,000 men, who voted
in 1911 failed to 60 to the polls in
1918. They also overlook the fact
that Pat Harrison lacked more than
5000 votes receiving half the number
of votes polled in 1911. Though Pat
was elected by less than half of the
qualified electors of the state, they are
wonderfully rejoiced. Some to the
extent that they believe they can de-
feat all former Vardaman men. But
watch the vote in the coming primary
and see Lee Russell elected governor.
A SCOTT COUNTY VOTER.