The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1894-06-15
MAJOR ABRAMS ADDRESS.

The opening address Of the reform"
movement in the state campaign of
1894 was characteristic Of the man
who made it. Msjor Abrams is al
ways vigorous and fearless, and always
strongly imbued with egoism. But
personal prejudice, whether frankly
acknowledged or not, and personal
contempt, despite or hate are rarely
interesting to an audience, save in an
imperscnal way. They do not stir up
the common enthusiasm which leads
to action. Our own grievances are far
more important to us than those Of
others, and it is for the leader, for the
sake of his leadership and the success
of his cause, to remember this to the
sacrifice of bis egoism.
Perhaps Major Abramsis too strong
ly individual to allow himself to be
merged, yet the wedging van Of an
army with the full strength of thearmy
behind it is more effective than de-
tached guerrilla corps, and we must be
forgiven so many words by way of
suggestion to the wise.
Despite all criticism Major Abrams
words on Saturday last were full Of
force, and his arguments were quickly
convincing, save to those who came
not to hear him with open minds. 1t
is noticeable that reporters and editors
who have remarked adversely on his
address have contented themselves
with small criticisms, have INDUCED
I in strained sarcasms and petty ridieule
of his motives, his authority, his man
ner-and the size of his audience-for-
sooth; but from answering him they
have held aloof.
This opening address consisted chief
ly in an arraignment CT the railroad
corporations of the state fol their
blindiy fyranical attitude toward its
people, thus sounding at once the key
note of the reform movement.
The immediate, or expedient RENEE
dy, d railroad commission, was but
lightly touched upon, but given the
conditions, the strained relation be-
tween carriers and shippers, and the
need of remedy, anu its general
character are obvious. IT but remains
for the ''reformersp in subsequent adj
dresses to develop the details of the par
ticular form of railroad commission
they would propose.
While the railroad corporations and
and their clients are ridiculing and vii.
flying the "reformersn they are blind
to the fact that, perhaps, these ire
formers" may in the long ran, prove
to be their best friends. If the ''re-
formers succeed in securing the pas
sage of a railroad commission act at
the next session of the legislature, or
even at the next thereafter, they will
do much to save the railroad corpora
lions of Florida from the dire peril of
day of reckoning at the bar OF a
long suff ring, but finally exasperated
and perhaps Infatuated people The
policy of 1.-THE people be damnedn is
storing up wholesale condemnation
in recoil, just as "cnrses come home
to roost.p
A railroad commission is measure
of safeguard not for shippers only, but
for the railroads also. The strained
relations existing between the two are
unnatural, symptoms of political dis
ease and onlinous of ill. 1t would be
the part of wisdom for the railroad
corporations of Florida to unite with
shippers in supporting a commission
measure embodying details of mutual
give and take, of meeting on common
ground. Failing that, they must not
be surprised if ultimately a minis
sion is established, in spite of their OPP
position, and of character which
shall even give them taste of the OPP
preston they have been so long and so
abundantly melting out to others.
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