The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1886-11-25
Hon. Samuel Rasco for u. De

Hen. Samuel RaoCo Tor Us es
SENATOR.
MONTICELLO, FLA, Nov. -, 1854.
Editors Rorsdsam.s The election of United
States senator to succeed @. W. Jones wHI
soon be the allabsorbinS topic In the minds
of the public. The names Of seyeral disun-
guished gentlemenlhave already been mentioned
In connection with thin exalted position. There
is no man in the State to whom the Democratic
party Is more indebted than to Samuel Pasco;
and in considering this question, would Il not Be
well for the people Of Florida to reflect whether
the time has not now arrived for the promoaioa
of this gentlemanf If An individual can place
a great party under an obligation to him BY pa
triotic devotion, valuable public services and I'M
selfish sacrifices, then there IL large balance to
the credit of Mr.. Pasco. Before 1873 the Demo-
cratic party was undisciplined, easily routed in
any campaign no matter who were its candidates.
II was then Mr.. Pasco was called 10 act - chair
man of the State Executive Committee. Having
had little or no experience In politics. his executive
ability, untiring industry, were known TO lew,
but through their influence the appointment was
made. Soon followed complete and thorough
organization Of the party, which had a. much
to do In securing our success abashe excellence of
our candidates. Victory followed. Nobly did
he contest step by step every effort TO wrest from
US its fruits, until our Governor was inaugurated,
and 1t was proven beyond doubt that the Til
den electors had received the honest vote Of
Florida OF course he was not alone in this great
fight Other gentlemen, then better known to
the people of Florida and to fame rendered val
liable services. But II Is well known by those
acquainted with the history of the struggle over
Floridas vote in 1875 that the chairman OF the
o.
as in name the leading spirit among the Demo
cratic representatives whether Floridisns or Wis
iting statesmen After peace and quiet was re-
stored to our distracted country, Mr. PascO went
quietly back to his law Office. Four years later
he received fiatteriug vote in the Gainesville
ter several Intellectual ballots, his friends with
drew his name, and on their motion w. d. Biloxi
ham was nominated.
Again he was placed at the head of the Exec
utive Committee and also nominated as first on the
Hancock electoral ticket Again he carried
the Democratic standard to victory, receiving the
highest vote on the electoral ticket. In 1884
many of his friends thinking the time for his pro-
motion had come carried his name before the
Pensacola convention with strong support
enough to give him large plurality when the
balloting opened on the second day. All who
were at that convention remember well what
followed. The withdrawal of all names
but those two who had the highest
votes, the strength of the Withdrawn candi-
dates all uniting against him and conse-
quently giving his chief opponent a majority.
Who can ever forget the scene that followed
then, as he entered the hall and made the mo-
ton TO nominate Gen. Perry by reclamation?
Again he accepted the Craftsmanship of the
Executive Committee and another Democratic
victory followed. The following year he was
chosen from his own county, without opposition,
as delegate to the constitutional conven-
ton, and that convention honored itself as
well as him by electing him unanimously
without distinction Of party its presiding
officer. His speech on taking the chair
was deservedly commended, not only at home
but by several of the leading journals of the
country.
1t is well known that he discharged the ar
duous and difficult duty of president with i'm
partial firmness, with firm but kind hand and
with marked ability. He did much TO- make the
new constitution conservative in tone and his
influence was felt in the conferences which took
place over the differences which were developed
during the session of the convention. When the
convention met he was personally unknown TO
many OF his associates, but when they parted
such had been his courteous bearing that he
won the regard, friendship and confidence of
nearly every member. He Is about the only pub
lie man who has been outspoken in the adoption
OF the new Constitution since it was framed, many
hesitating to take decided stand in its favor,
IL.
very few who have assisted the people in forming
correct judgment upon its merits. His articles
fav0rlng It's ratification were read with profound
interest all over the State and his speeches made
in Its favor in the counties of the First District
during the campaign were convincing and effect
i've. After all the years of doubt and uncer
tanty, during which Mr. Pasco has pursued a
steady and consistent course upon this subject ii
must be exceedingly gratifying to him to zee the
cause triumph by majority exceeding 10000.
Mr. PascO will enter the Legislature from JEFF
ferson. formerly Republican county. For the
first time since reconstruction it has given a
Democratic majority. The change has been
effected very largely because the party was
thoroughly united and placed very strong and
able ticket in the field, of which Mr.. Pasco stood
at the head. There is reason to believe that the
change in the politics of the county lie permanent
MIR. Pasco has not sought the Senatorship, nor Is
he in the attitude of a candidates. but it Is one of
those positions which are seldom declined, and
it would be graceful and becoming thing for
the Legislature of Florida to confer this high
honor upon one of Der faithful servants.
His diligence, perseverance, executive capacity,
knowledge of the wants of the people, his
strength as a writer, his scholarship, his integ.
rity, courage in avowing his sentiments, his
fidelity to his party and to his friends his high
character, all point to him as man we'll en-
dowed with the qualifications to make a useful
and able Senator His unrewarded public SER
vices both to his party and the State place him at
the very head Of the column of those who deserve
promotion. The places he has already filed
have been honorary and complimentary, but
burdensome, and the writer honestly hopes and
believes that the time has now come when he
can and ought to be elevated to position of
substantial honor and continuous usefulness,
where his whole time and ability will be given
in behalf of the State and people for whom he has
labored so long, 80 faithfully and successfully.
With Call and Pasco in the Senate, Davidson
and Dougherty in the House, the State of Florida
will he taken care of. 8. IT
The Biggest and Best Of Them All-Old John
Robinson and His Ten Big New ShoWs-