The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1920-04-12
Cats COULD NOT
REFRAIN FROM
USING HIS
GU|LLOT|NE
(Dade City Banner J

| NDdue Clty Banner.
The high lord executioner of Flor
ida, after telling his audience in Dade
City, Tuesday morning. that he had a
right to appoint the members of his
family to offices, proceeded to lool,
around for someone to execute, figur-
atively speaking, and his axe fell up
on poor old Fred Johnston, the coun
ty supervisor of registration.
Some person or persons had COM
planned on Uncle Fred, possibly be-
cause he is so honest and frank that
ne will tell any one just what he
thinks and is quite apt to add a few
cuss words for decoration; or posi-
biy, because Uncle Fred has lost part
of his right hand through cancer and
IS not as efficient as he used to be.
Evidently Governor Cats knew Of
no flaws in the records of our other
county officers that could make any
one OF them liable to suffer political
death on the gubernatorial guillotine,
so what Mr.. Johnston's condition was
pointed out to him he did not hesitate
but with his known promptness in
using his executive knife embraced
this opportunity to behead Uncle
Fred.
Fred Johnston is a Confederate vet
eran who answered the call of his
country at the outbreak of the Span
war. and served as teamster. He has
held the Office of county supervisor
OF registration several terms, which
is pretty conclusive evidence that he
was reasonably competent and salts
factory to the electors of the county.
In the last year or so he has been in
poor health and had to sacrifice part
of his right hand on account of can
GER. He has hadto get friends to help
him with his books and he recognized
that he had made his last race and
did not intend to try for Office again,
but he would like to have filled out
his term. No one likes to be kicked
out of an Office even II the kicker ties
a pillow on his foot to soften the
blow.
So, after the governor had told how
he cared for bis children even as a
tabby cat careth for her kittens. and
having been informed of an opportun-
ity to use his executive blade, went
up to Uncle Fred. inquired as to his |
health and suggested very kindly,
alphabetically, courteously and DO
litely that he vas unable to look af-
ter the Office any longer and II Uncle
Fred would send his resignation to !;
the governors Office that It would be
accepted. Uncle Fred had the good
sense to make no fuss but told the
governor emphatically that he would
resign and resign then and there. AS
The precinct registration books were
being returned to the supervisor and
here is work in that Office needing at
tention' the governor cast about for
someone to appoint. He learned that
Joe Greer was candidate for the Of
ice and offered it to him, but after
little reflection Joe saw a light and
old the governor he appreciated tn.
great honor Of receiving the appoint
nent from the distinguished governor
'ut he most humbly begged to be ex-
used.
Some one then informed the gov
rnor that j. E. Kitchen was also a
and the governor said that !
lie would appoint Mr.. Kitchen, and I
atching train left the city.
However, when Mr.. Kitchen heard 7
I the honor to be thrust upon him. q
alter in the day, he expressed a de- t
ided inclination to dodge also-not q
accept the buck. Now we fear that l
Governor Cats will have to look far '
her for someone to take Uncle Fred's a
ooks from him. :