The Weekly Tallahasseean., 1901-11-15
CARABELLE CONTROVERSY

CdTTdDelIo, f1a. NOV. Ii, 1901.
Editor Enthusiastically the
heading "Carrabelle a Port" the editor
Of the ApalachicOla Times boiled over
wretchedly last week. A part of the
trouble was due to something which
our tOwnsman, Capt. Jas. R. Pickett,
had said in the Tallahasseean, and part
was due to the hot nature of facts which
were painful to Apalachicola.
Presuming that Capt. Pickett will
take care of his part of the discussion,
we shall only present from public spirit
some of the reasons and demands
which called for local board of Pilot
Commissioners; and show why the
Times and ApalachicOla have not and
cannot have the influence and political
pull which they so much seek in mat
ters of appropriations for West Pass.
The Times says: 'If Apalachicola
really had the influence West Pass
would have long since been the pride
of every citizen of Apalachicola" Real
/ ly, Well really since ApalachicOla
really has not the influence, then why
not relegate the lost cause, coincide
with results, the engineers, and the
National government in affording Apa-
| lachicOla such relief and benefits as is
deemed wise and best. The Times furth-
er says: That ApalacnicOla is forced
to do her shipping near Carrabelle be-
cause she has not sufficient water at
West Pass, and that the SUPPORT is
placed here for the convenience of cap
tains. Right brother, you really had not
the influence. Now since Carrabelle is
nj oh
captains, and since as you say she has
deep water, and the harbOr then why
not give her all the pilots, and at least
half the pilot commissioners? All we
want is justice, you perhaps, need a
customs house for the convenience of
your river steamers; unless, perchance.
Columbus really has the influence and
can be made port just as well.
The Times further suggests that
Carrabelle would not even be a sub
port were it not for Apalachicola's s
shipping, claiming that we have only
one mill and one naval stores concern.
The facts show that Carrabelle is the
natural outlet for more mills, more
naval stores and more shipping than
ApalachicOla has. However had we no
mills and no naval stores, we would
still have the harbOr, the quarantine
officer, the customs inspector, the ship
ping, and the port for the convenience
Of our tributaries; and really should
have all the pilots and at least half the
pilot commissioners. ApalachicOla real
lvhas no pull and must do business at
Carrabeile so the Times says.
i Brother, this is natural and why not
&c do what you cannot 90? Let's pull
together. If an expense of S230,00O al
your door has brought no results, ther
we are sorry. If an expense Of $4,000
at Carrabelle has done you good, af-
fOrding convenience to your shipping
etc, then we are glad. Pull the scales
from your eyes and view the world in
it's hopeful light.
Falling into its channel of attempted
sarcasm, the Times says Apalachicola
citizens should give Carabelle pilot
and county commissioners, the Court
house, and the whole cObOodle." if such
would secure deep water at East and
West Passes. Wonderful! Now view the
facts. We have the deep water and
would not be allowed even half the
pilot commissioners. We paid too large
: ly for the court house and armOry tC
want them here now. The county jail
> can remain there, the "cObCOdle" here
the influence in Washington, and the
Times can continues as it says it has not
> really got the influence to get. The
: Times claims that Carrabelle is not 9
port. Now if the Times man will walk
around and consult the best authorities
as to the meaning of the word port, he
will really find something-that Cara
l. belle is a port truly, and that AHa-
: lachicola is not a port really. Let the
Times consult his conscience and not {
lost sentiment along these lines.
If seventy years have proved Apa'
lachicola's wants and influence fruit
1 less, and not real, then it behooVes US
: to assist, as best we can, in regulating
the shipping interests Of both places
1 We don't fight Apalachicola. God speed
e her every progress. We love her ctti
e zens, and pride in her right purposes
but facts are facts and she really
r hasn't the influence in fact nor imagi
:, nary in the eyes of Uncle Sam ant
, popular reason. CITlZENS.