The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-10
DIVISION OF ORANGE COUNTY.
MOVEMENT DUE TO DISSATISFIED
POLITICIANS.

Portions of Orange and vOlusia to
Form the Proposed New County.
The CaII-StOckton Faction at Tai
InhasSee Expected to DO All They
Can to Further the Movement-The
SO-CaIled Orlando Rings Grip on
County Affairs One of the Princi-
pal Causes of Discomfort.
Orlando. Fla, May "a movement is
on foot to form new county out OF por-
tons of this (Orange) and Volusia coun-
ties. The matter has been in contempla-
ton for considerable time by leading
men of Sanford and the northern portion
of this county, who have become dissatis-
fled with what has been termed the "Or-
lando ring" and its manipulation of local
politics and the public affairs of the
county.
1t has been unfortunate, perhaps, that
the republican party of Orange county has
been in so small minority. There being
no outside enemy to make war upon dis
sensions have been created within
the ranks of the dominant
party. Through these dissensions
for adroit manipulators to control a fac
ton, and draw to it enough of the con-
sentative or rather passive element to en-
able it to control conventions and select
candidates in the interest OF the few lead
ers. This policy has practically deprived
a very large percentage of the democratic
voters Of any real voice in conventions or
in the councils of their party. They have
hpn OFF
longed to the opposition party. And yet,
being loyal democrats they have accept
ed the dictation of the wire-workers and
voted for their candidates and their meas
ures.
For two or three years there has been
a growing discomfort with the existing
state of affairs, especially in some of the
outlying precincts, and now that the op-
portunity has offered, of breaking loose
through division of the county, it is not
strange that it Is improved and that it
finds SO much favor.
Under the apportlonment of 1887 1t has
been impossible to create any new coun-
ties during the past decade. But now that
the time for new opportionment has
arrived, several divisions and the forma-
ton Of several new counties in the state
are talked of, and will receive the atten-
ton of the legislature now In session. If
all OF the representatives, who are inter
ested IA these moves, combine, they
will form a pretty strong team.
1t is no secret that ex-senator Call has
no love for Orange county. The same is
true of his successor in the senatorial
race, John N. c. Stockton of Jackson
vile. 1t IS believed that the supporters of
either of these gentlemen could be readily
induced to favor a division of Orange
county and a consequent gripping of her
strength, for even a very small and indi-
n
can readily be seen how a three cornered
exchange might be effected. which would
help the Call-Stockton contingent and the
movers in the division. without directly in
volving or compromising Orange county's
representatives. 1t may be an interesting
game to watch
A meeting was held in Sanford a few
nights ago, the result Of which was to put
twenty-five active men in the field to Sc
cure signatures to a petition for the di-
vision This was followed by a similar
meeting in Orlando, and the sending out
of force of workers to secure signatures
to a remonstrance. These forces are now
in the field and are making a vigorous
canvass. Representatives of each of the
forces have been sent 70 Tallahassee to
watch the movements at that end of the
line, and the wires are kept warm with the
communications that are passing between
the watch dogs and their friends a home.
of the strongest counties in the southern
part Of the state in all democratic gath
erings of prominence By voting her
strength as a unit and by holding ii in
reserve for the arrival of an opportune
turn of affairs, she has welded much
power IN the counsels of the party. The
local leaders have welded the power with
exceeding adroitness to their own profit.
The local leaders of other sections have
grown somewhat jealous of Orange coun-
tvs power, and of the preferment of her
wire workers. This fact may be taken
advantage of by those who are working
for the new county TO draw aid from the
ranks of those who have old scores to set
tie. But aside from this it would be
misfortune to the county to be robbed of
her power and prestige, and 1t would be
unfortunate to compel the taxpayers of
new county, unwittingly, to be drawn in
to a trap whereby they would be COM
PEELED to increase their own local taxes
for the erection of public buildings and
the maintenance Of an additional county
organizatio through the wire working of
politicians, who are more interested in
feathering their own nests than In pro-
noting the interests of all of the people
of the state.