The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1902-1905, 1902-08-07
MIR. WALLS UNCONDITIONAL SUR
RENDER,


In the light of recent events and the scrambling
acrobatic performances of some people to land in
the band wagon, the News is now compelled to agree
with it's esteemed local contemporaries statement
that 'the dispensary is dead issue" 1t is dead
very dead.
The News also desires, in this connection, to con-
graduate the people of Punam county that this is
fact At the same time it is not unmndful of the
hsrculean efforts of this esteemed contempt
rary in bringing to pass result which causes so
much rejoicing. Our own efforts seem puny
As published in last weeks issue, over his own
signature, John P. Wall himself, while not abandon
ing any of his "personal convictions, does aban-
don the dispensary, and pledges, IN event of his
nomination in next week primary, not to advocate
such bill ''before the people nor in the legisla-
ture"
This is good. 1t is unconditional surrender of
every thing but his personal convictions" and
every one who knows John P. Wall knows that 'his
personal convictions count as little when placed III
the scale with public office as counterbalance.
The News would be dereect in its duty, even at
this time did it not again state the facts regarding
the origin OF this lately buried dispensary
1t was the scheme of few designing politicians to
build up political machine in the state of Florida
on foundation of whisky, for purposes of plumber.
In its inception and purpose 1t constituted at once
the most gigantic far-reaching debasing and viii
famous piece of legislation ever evolved from the
brain of man. John Wall not the father of the
BILL but to his shame be it said that up to within the
past month he has prded himself on the conspcu-
GUS part he had IN passing the iniquitous measure
through the House. 1t may be that his part was
that of mere tool but the charitable view to en-
terrain regarding man of his cunning, would be to
credit him with part in the plot.
1t was the scheme of it's originators to work the
measure on "highly moral lines"-to go before the
people in the guise of temperance refOrmers. But
it only bluff and the News the rst and for
time the only, paper in Florida to call the bluff
and sound the alarm. 1t has kept up constant
campaign of education since and the recent defeat Of
the measure gives this paper no little satisfaction.
The News congratuates Mr.. Wall on his 18th hour
conversion, but not until he surrenders "hs personal
convictions" i'll this matter, will he be entitled to
the respect of that part of this community which
demands of its public servants honesty and decent
regard for the welfare of the state
Mr.. Wallis career i'll the legislature has been a
most striking exemplifcaton Of that "insolence of
Office which particularly disastiful to that class
of our people who are broadly American in sympa-
thy, and who hold rigidly to the opinion that a
'public office is public trust'' and not 'prvate
snap, and while the News would not presume to
offer him advise it believes that if he would in flu
ture be more circumspect regarding the disposal of
'his personal convictions" there would be some OPP
portunity for man of his supurb nerve even yet.
The dspensary is not issue next Tuesday. Mr.
Chesser and Mr.. Wall are both pledged to work and
vote against the measure should it again raise its
head in the legislature.
Only one of these men can be selected. Both are
democrats. They each have personal convictions"
The victory of either will be purely personal. Put
nam county democrats who have paid their money
will take their choice.
In the meantime the News again congratulates the
moral element of our community the fact that the
dspensary is very dead. This paper attended
the obsequies without batting eye.