The daily news. [volume] (Pensacola, Fla.) 1889-190?, 1900-03-12
An Honored Veteran.


is DR.. John L. Crawford. who for many
years has brought to the high Office OF sec
rotary OF state an ability and devotion CT
purpose too uncommon to be ignored, too
valuable to be discarded at the eleventh
hour. The best years OF this distinguished
democrats life have been given TO the pub
lie service; and in all that time, whatever
the differences Of personal opinion-what-
ever the eKigencies Of fsctiOnRl politics
that may have arisen, no man can point to
one lapse from duty, one scant suspicion of
unfaithfulness, either TO the people or TO
the party OF which this high-miEded and
devoted democrat is SO distinguished a
member.
such a record is to be prized-such CHAR
scteristics are TO be made the most OF; and
in urging upon the community the claims
OF DIR. Crawford TO the nomination fer Sec
rotary OF state this year, the News believes
II simply voices the sentiments of the vast
majority Of the people OF Florida; and that
when the democracy Of the state il once
more in convention assembled. his name
viii be received in a manner that Will fully
demonstrate the estimation in which an
official whose public record, and whose life
and character are singularly pure and free
from blemish, Is held by the community
which he has served so long and well.-JHck
sonville Evening News.
Every word of the foregoing elo-
quent tribute to the character Of one
Of the most beloved and distiu-
guished democrats in the state is
heartily endorsed by THE NEWS;
but its truth does not lead Us TO tae
conclusion reached by our esteemed
contemporary, that DR.. Crawford
should be made, for the fifth con-
oecutive time. his own successor. If
there is any virtue in the democratic
doctrine Of rotation in office. its pin.
clples apply with more force TO DR..
Crawford than to any public official
who has ever held Office in the state
of Florida.
DR.. Crawford was first elected in
1850 to succeed Mr.. BloXham, who
held the office during the first term
under democratic rule. He has been
reelected continuously ever since,
and when his present term expires
will have served throughout the ell
tire period of ~ years-almOst a
quarter of century. His salary
earnings for the whole period Will
amount to $3.50. During a large
portion of this period, his son, Hon.
II. Clay Crawford, has served in ;le'
office as his secretary, realizing
therefrom, during the eight yeaIs
ending with the current term, $500,
making total for the two of$47,3jU.
When the office was administered
by Mr.. BlOXham, the expense was
81 500 per anuUm; now it amounts to
more than double that sum. These
facts are not in the slightest degree
di~creditable 10 either II the pey-
sons named; on the contrary. the
fact that they have performed the
duties connected with the office 81
throughout 80 long pc
Rod, is distinctly TO their credit.
But the facts, in themselves, consti-
tute no reason for bestowing the Of
fee upon Dr.. Crawford again.
Besides all this, no indication has
a. yet come from Or. Crawford that
he desired to be his own successor
again. To one of his extreme age,
suffering from the iutirmitieS at
tendant thereon, il i-quite fair to
presume that change would be
welcome.