The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1919-10-08
CARD TO THE
PEOPLE FROM
TELFA|R STOCKTON

JacKSOnVllle, Fla, OcC. btn, 1919.
To the Democrats of Florida:
For the past several months many
of my friends throughout the state
have urged me to enter the race in
the June primary Of next year for
United States Senator to succeed |
Senator Fletcher. The request for
me to be candidate has come princi- !
pally from those who believe with me
in Democratic principles.
The present condition of the Demo-
cratic Party in the State of Florida
is very peculiar one. There is q
certain faction covertly advocating
socialistic doctrines whose attitude
towards capital is very radical, and if
this faction prevails in controlling
politics in this state it would be very
detrimental to the interests of the
State of Florida. Very little can be
hoped from them except disorganiza-
ton, business depression, and keep
ing much needed capital away from
the State Of Florida. Opposed to this
faction are the reactionaries con-
trolled by corporate interests and big
, business The most active ones of
this faction do not believe in progress
sive legislation Of any kind but think
that capital should, have the prefer
ence in all legislative matters and
that drastic legislation should be en-
acted against labor, or at least that
none of labor's demands should be
complied with. Unfortunately the
extreme element in each faction has
been very much more aggressive
than the rank and file of such faction
and they are furnishing most of the
candidates for office. l do not believe
that the majority of the people who
vote for either faction would support
it if they had fair opportunity to do
otherwise.
There is no doubt that great ma
jority of the people of Florida believe
in progressive legislation, but that
such legislation should be in acord
ance with Democratic principles hav
ing due regard for the rights of labor
| and of capital without discrimination
The best interests of the citizens Of
, this state should not be put in jeop
ardy on account Of the fight between
the radicals and, reactionaries, ant
they should not be restricted to thu
alternative Of making a selection be
tween the candidates of these twt
factions, but should be given an op
portunity of supporting Democratic
principles in which they believe.
If the voters of this state who be
lieve in pure Democratic principle
will only act in concert, they ar
y strong enough to elect a Unite
= States Senator, Governor and othe
t. important officers. If they do no
unite, but submissively support car
didate from either of the other tw
fractions who does not represent thei
views, they can never hope to b
properly represented and must sui
NIT to the domination of the Party b
the extreme element of one or tn
lother of these extreme factions.
If there were two primaries and
should enter the race, representa-
the Dmocratic voters, | would hay
- no doubt as to my nomination, but
:. find that great many Democrat
who are not aligned with the radical
or reactionaries will support the on
for fear the other will win, readil
agreeing to vote second choice for
true Democratic candidate Secon
4 CnOlCe NOleS w Hol COuhI cACope ~
\ the two candidates receiving the mo
first choice votes. Second choi'
votes, however numerous, cast for tt
Democratic candidate, if he is not OF
of the two high, men. would not coun
Whether / decide to make the RAJ
or to support some other Democrat
candidate, l most earnestly urge q
true Democrats who believe as
to give this peculiar political situate
in this state very careful consider
\ ton; that they get together in eat
community and fully discuss the ma
ter, and, if possible, that they ayr,