The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1901-08-09
THE ocALa BANNER AND ITS CRITICS

Florida newspaper, SO far as it has
seen, criticised the Ocala Banner for
writing up Mr.. Flagler's enterprises.
Let's see how that is.
We do not keep file of our state
exchanges so cannot reproduce the
earlier articles.
The following is In line with them,
however, and is from recent issue of
the Monticello Constitution and was
reprinted in many of the other papers.
The extract given will show the trend
of the article:
Editor Frank Harris is still whooping up the
different institutions of Flagler, etc.
The Telegraph says that what seems
to have 'jarred" the press gang was
Editor Harris defense of the divorce
law, his readiness to support Mr.. Flag
Ter for United States Senator, and
finally his announcement, by author
ity, that Mr.. Flagler would not be a
candidate.
What the Ocala Banner said con-
corning Mr.. Flagler's political aspira-
tions was in response to an article ap-
pearing I'M the Pensacola Journal in
which that paper raised the question
as to the complexion of his politics.
The Ocala Banner said it was long
gap from bryan TO McLauren, and
both claimed to be democrats; that if
Mr.. Flagler wanted to it would be an
easy matter for him to find place
somewhere in its ranks.
1t closed the article that seems to
have 'jarred" the press gang SO vio-
lently, andsput it so out of sorts, as
follows:
Knowing nothing to the contrary, and aside
from any aspirations he may or may not
have for becoming United States Senator from
the state:of his adoption, hope it is true that
Mr.. Flagier is democrat.
The Ocala Banner would like to see every
good man a democrat, and especially one who
has done so much for the material splendor of
Florida as has Henry NJ. Plagler.
Wishing it possible for one to be
democrat, we submit, is not showing
readiness and anxiety to support
him for an office.
And surely it is not a crime for an
enterprising newspaper TO announce
definitelyland with authority that as
prominent and easily approachable a
man as Mr.. Flagler did not take up
his residence in Florida for the pur.
pOoe of tbecoming a United States
Senator and that he has no such as
pirations.
1t would be no political sin for the
most ultra democratic newspaper in
the United States even to interview
Hon. Marcus A. Hanna as to his pres
identiaI aspirations.
The matter of divorce has not vet
become a .questiOn of party politics in
Florida and the Ocala Banner stands
to-day on that subject where it has
stood for many years.
If he is honest, sincere and con-
scientious, surely an editor of a repu-
table newspaper ought to he allowed
to holdI and. express an opinion even
on so delicate subject as divorce and
not have his motives impugned nor his
politics questioned, and this regardless
of the fact whether he be'on the ram
parts among millionaires or down in
the barricades with the common peo-
pie.
To-day and for as many years as the
editor of this paper can remember di'
vOrce notices have regularly appeared
in the various weekly and daily news
papers of thelstate alleging other than
scriptural reasons for annulling the
marriage contract and yet said pro-
ceedings have.produced no word of adj
verse criticism until nov.
| Is il the principle at issue or GER
| tain beneficiary that has awakened
this sudden indignation? If the prin-
ciple. Why these long years Of silence?
1t speaks bad for a community that
is forced TO organize law and order