The Southern Herald

Vardaman "Hands Off"
By far the most interesting feature of the address by United States Senator J. K. Vardaman, at the Jackson State Fair grounds, was his refusal to proclaim a choice in Mississippi's next campaign for Governor and in his assertion that he was 'hands off' in the fight.
A big crowd was present, the grand stand being almost filled and fully ninety per cent of those there were hoping for a direct answer--and certainly got one.
The man who fired the startling question was Mr. D. T. Anglin, a prominent citizen of Brookhaven, and he asked it after the manner of a man who really wanted to know. His manner was polite but insistent, and there was much surprise when Mayor S. J. Taylor, followed by a policeman, performed an unusual gymnastic stunt by climbing over the light wire fence, seeking out Mr. Anglin and warning him not to ask any more questions. Mr. Anglin was reminded that Senator Vardaman was a guest of the fair association, and was not to be interrupted with unpleasant political questions.
Senator Vardaman looked worried when the query was fired at him and some of his friends on the stand urged him not to pay any attention to the questioner; but he said he preferred to answer. He then proceeded to say that the election of Mississippi's next Governor was the people's business, not his, and they should vote for the man whom, in their judgment, will make the best Governor.
The incident was of deep significance, inasmuch as at least four of Senator Vardaman's prominent followers are either active or probable candidates for Governor, and have been anxious to know whether he intended to show any favoritism in the coming gubernatorial campaign.
Former Chief Justice R. B. Mayse, of the supreme court, introduced the Senator.