The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-05-26
Speakers Tell Where
They Stand On "No
Fence" Law, Conpul-
sorry Dipping, Reappor-
tionment, Reforestation
and Various Other
Questions of Present
Day Interest

The school house at kathleen was
the scene of the formal opening of the
Polk county political campaign, and
the place was filled with an interested
audience, about a dozen of whom were
women. The candidates spoke to an
attentive, but not highly enthusiastic
audience.
The meeting was presided over by
Henry B. Lewis, prominent citizen of
the community and member Of the
Democratic Executive Committee for
Kathleen.
John NJ Keen, present state repre-
sentative and candidate for reelection
was the first speaker. He began by
explaining his position on woman's
suffrage, saying he had opposed it be-
fore the enactment of the federal
amendment, but had favored it since
and had introduced the bill enfran'
chising the women in the Florida leg
islature.
Mr.. Keen outlined his platform as
follows: Favors an increase in millage
for the schools; opposes compulsory
cattle dipping; favors live stock sani-
tary board; in regard to automobile
license, favors a return of 80 per cent
license money to county where it orig
mated; opposes continuance of state
road department, believing each coun-
ty should bond for it's own roads; fav-
ors reapportionment giving Polk coun-
ty larger representation; opposes the
enactment of mo fence" law; favors
reforestration and protection of young
timber; favors office of fire warden.
Mr. Keen was followed by his op-
ponent, Thos. W. Bryant, who began
his address by stating that he is not
an habitual office seeker, and gave a
brief autobiography setting forth that
he is Polk county product, having
been born at Socrum.
He quoted Mr. Keen as having said
at Rockledge week ago that the mo
fence" law is the only issue of the
campaign, and went on to say that he
himself favors compulsory dipping to
comply with federal demands in order
that Florida cattle may reach outside
markets; that he favors local option
with referendum on mo fence" law,
each county to decide the matter for
itself; is for intelligent reforestration,
better schools and a favorable reap
portionment. He stated that he had
no pet" legislation, but is interested
only in the welfare of Polk county
and Florida.
Mr. Keen made a denial of the state
ment that he had said the mo fence"
law is the only issue.
A. J. Morgan, candidate for re-elec-
tion to the legislature in Group 2, re-
viewed briefly the work of the legis-
lature for the last two sessions. and
stated that he had carefully weighed
all issues and voted in line with his
convictions. He is opposed to a mo
fence" law and would consider the
enactment of such law the greatest
calamity that could happen to the
state He also opposes tick eradica-
tion unless the board includes prac-
eFSca Pttlemen. He is personally for
att dipping but is politically OPP
n josd ITO it because he believes the
J iattk men are against it. Is opposed
10 the tax equalization board.
Mr.. Morgan's opponent, B. X. Bul
lard, who has been resident of Lake
Wales for eleven years, made a clear
statement fhis position on various
matters. He favors reforestration,
proper reapportionment, and the re-
turn of rs per cent of auto license
money to the county. Favors mo
fence" law and tick eradication and is
for referendum on both issues. He be-
lieves each school district should have
the right to increase taxes to care for
it's school needs, and favors better
teachers and better pay.
John s. Edwards, candidate for re-
election to the Office of circuit judge,
outlined the responsibilities of the Of
flee, which call for fairness, fearless
ness and impartiality He referred
to his record in Office, saying that he
had established Rule Day." sounding
the docket ten days in advance and
setting causes on definite dates; had
established a rule which assures coun-
ty of better jurors, and has compelled
litigants to be on hand on time with
court convening at a definite hour. He
has no platform, for his duty is to
enforce the laws, not to make and un-
make them. He promised to be fair,
fearless and impartial in office.
Kelsey Blanton, candidate for the
Office of circuit judge, stated that
he is a native of Polk county, and
dwelt on his record as. county Judge,
saying that he had brought the office
up to a functioning institution. He
said he had no platform, his ideal be-
ing to expedite the business of the
court. He also said that he had no
fault to find with the present circuit
judge, but is ambitious to serve in
that Office himself.
Park Trammell, candidate for re-
: election to the United States Senate,
being a. statewide candidate, was
present only as an interested auditor,
but he was asked to speak and made