Holmes County herald., 1959-07-09
vFW Rally Drew Big
Crowd, Many Speakers

Rally and barbecue which was
sponsored by the Lexington VFW
Post attracted more to pstate can
didateS than most other similar
Post attracted more top state can
Three of the gubernatorial can
didates made appearances on the
speakers stand during the day, as
from 500 to 700 people milled a.
round during the all-day event, ate
barbecued chicken, drank soda
pop and Cokes and listened to a
steady stream of candidates soil
citing their votes.
"Blowtorch" Robert Mason of
Mcgee started the speaking off
with a 5 minutes talk. Mr.. Mason
had notified the arrangement COM
mittee that he would be unable to
attend, but showed up bright and
early Saturday morning after
spending the night in Lexington.
He was given five minutes to talk.
BaSing his candidacy on the Bible
and the Constitution, a copy of
each he held in his hands, he said
he stood for strict segregation.
Brown Williams, seeking the Of
flee of 1t. Governor, spoke at 1878
after some of the unopposed coun-
ty candidates made short talks. Mr..
Williams said he is for the speeding
up of bl~acktopping of country roads
and that the office for which he
seeks is no place for moderates.
He said we must all stick together
if we are to maintain segregation,
A second candidate for the states
highest office made an unexpected
appearance and was granted speak
ing time at 5 pm. Paul johnson,
who has run for Governor twice,
made his bid for the listeners votes
for the office of 1t. Governor.
Carroll Gartin, who flew in for
his speech, took the stand at 1885.
In his shirt sleeves, he said he is
offering no apology in his appeal
for the Governors seat. He said
he is not a newspaper politician,
and believes that our smaller COM
munitieS should have more help in
seeking industry for their towns.
He said there is no substitute for
experience and claimed he is
more qualified for the office than
either of his opponents.
After speeches by w. E. Andrews,
Jr., candidate for Tax Collector
and Fielder Dearman, Highway
Commissioner, talks were suspend
ed until about 2 o'clock.
G. L. Tutor, for Supt. of Educa-
ton, ARMS Hawkins and Henry
Bucklew, candidates for 1t. Gov.
and H. L. Backstrom failed to show
up for their allotted time and beat
and county office seekers were
given an opportunity to have their
say. ALI candidates for Supervisor,
District One, made talks. They
were Roy Brown, seeking re-elec-
ton; Clover johnson, Peyton
Jones and Lee Mayo. Each of the
candidates for Sheriff, including
Mrs. Andrew Smith, Douglas
Smith, Y. B. Bruce, Ben Moore
Hammett and Coyier Farmer,
made short talks and asked for
the peoples support.
The two candidates for Repre-
sentative, Post 3, w. G.. McMullen
and Tommy Slack, preceded the
local candidates with speeches.
Other afternoon speakers were
Bill Davis, for Tax Commissioner;
Leland Speed, for State Treasurer;
Evelyn Candy, for State Treasurer;
r. E. Rusty" Guymon, State Tax
Collector DR.. j. V. Duckworth fol-
Commissioner of Agriculture.
Paul Johnson made his appear
ance just prior to Ross Barnett
who flew here to speak. He arrived
just a little over an hour late, but
a large crowd still was or han6
to hear him. Mr.. Barnett said The
states tax structure should be re
worked to put it on ar equal basi;
with other southern states in order
to attract more industry. He rap
ped his opponent, Gartin, and The