The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1894-09-28
CLOSING THE CAMPAIGN.
SPEAKING AT BLITOHTON AND
PLEMINGT0N.
Big Dinners, Big Enthusiasm and the
Banner Popular Everywhere and
the Paper Of the People.

AIT Iu0etluS aHU III al luiOTuldl HILL
ner talked over the proposed amend
ments to the state constitution. The
ones demanding that foreigner must
receive his naturalization papers be-
fore becoming voter was approved,
also that the amendment that the
counties instead of the state pay the
costs of all criminal prosecutions
within their respective borders, and
receive all the fines and forfeitures
arising therefrom.
The amendment, which says the
one will tax for the maintenance OF
our public school which now goes to
counties accordading to the children
of school age, between the years of six
and twenty-one, but proposed to be
changed so that the counties of the
state shall only receive their pro ratio
of the one one mill school tax accord
ing to the number of children actually
in attendance.
The amendment as proposed will
deal the fund out equally and justly,
put all the counties in this school ques-
tion on their merits, cause such coun-
ties as Leon, Gadsden and Marion,
who have school children of school
years largely in excess of school child
rem in actual attendance on their met
al, get an educational move on them
and the more children they put to
school the larger will be their pro ratio
of the school money.
As it is now, Leon county has 10000
school children of the ages prescribed
by law, but only about 5000 enrolled
in her school, and gets about $4,000
in money, while Marion, with 1000
school children has $500 enrolled and
gets about $4,000.
Mr.. H. w. Long made very inter-
esting talk, and in course of it impart-
ed much useful and valuable informa-
ti0n.
Captain Cribbett gave very pertinent
figures on railroad building, and said
the orange growers of Florida would
never get much relief in the way of
rates until they went to work and
built road of their own from jack
sonville through the orange belt of the
state, with needed branches and line
of steamers from Jacksonville to Phil
adelphia and New York.
He said it was feasible and could be
done if the growers would take stock
according to their crops and the road
was operated on the most economical
business system and salaries. With
such aid they would need to bond the
line for over 5000 mile, and with
such light fixed charges theroad could
afford to carry freight at SO per cent of
present rates and keep even with the
world. The sturdy Chaplain is red
hot on the question.
NOTES.
The meeting was held in Captain
John Brooks store, where this reporter
was RECALLED with the finest orange
cider that ever tickeled our gullet.
Cotton Plant precinct will yield a
crop of at least 5000 boxes of oranges.
She has registered voters, fifty-two
democrat, thirty populists and forty
negroes. There is no question as to
the result.
Mr.. and Mrs. Will Long will accept
our thanks for most sumptuous and
toothsome dinner.
We We're quick to discover that the
Banner is the paper of the people.
BLITcHToN PRECINCT.
Friday witnessed us at Blitchton.
The people of this admirable commu-
nifty are always on deck. The meeting
was a good one. DR.. s. I'll. Bitch pre-
sided and made very instructive
talk. He referred to his late canvass in
Sumter county, and the fine and en-
thusidstic audience that met him at
Centre Hill, Bushnell and Wildwood
and is more than satisfied he will car
ry the county by over 200 majority and
with 1000 majority in Marion he is
destined for our next state senator.
The man who is keeping the Banner
readers posted on the progress of the
campaign parked his oratorical artil-
lery, dwelt mostly on county matters
as taxation affected them, spoke of
Marion's needs of county farm
and the economy there would be in it.
Making all county officers sallaried
instead of commissioned and paid in
perquisites and adjust them on the
same basis first class business house
conducts its business. Pay according to
services rendered and turn all fees into
the county treasury and publish
monthly detailed statement Of each
Office. He deems the county treasu-
rer's Office sinecure and would abol-
ish same.
John Stevens, candidate for county
treasurer, made nice talk and told
in frank and manly manner why he
voted for populist Tom Perry two
years ago for sheriff. He said he and
Tom had grown up boys together, had
been school mates, belonged to the
same lodge and church, had always
been neighbors and the best Of friends
and his was complimentary vote
and had no political significance. Now
he saw his mistake, was sorry for it
and would not be guilty OF the same
act had he to do it over again.
Prof Stroller closed with few tell
ing remarks.
NOTES.
A splendid dinner awaited all who
would partake.
The school house is receiving q new