The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1904-01-29
THE sage OF MaRTEL.
Gives Advice to Fellow. Democrats
The Pepper Box Should Not Pre-
vail Against Sound Reason.

Ndu R6SSOn.
Editor of the Banner: In the prema-
! ture and heated campaign for Senator
ial honors that was opened several
| months ago, take it that all good cit
| liens Of Florida regretted that any
should feel called upon to eject into this
ill-timed campaign the pepper-box and
mud singing instead of personal merit
| and qualifications. 1t seems to me to
be bad taste and the manifestation of
a conscious want Of merit on the part
| Of any candidate for any office TO re-
sort to such political tactics. Are we
not all, as members of the great demo-
/! cratic party, descendants from the same
| Caucasian race, and inheriting the
| blessings Of self government, brethren,
| bound by the same common ties of
by the blood of our fOrefathers in the
Revolutionary war, that gained their
| independence, and has as a result,
placed US in line with the most power
| full and progressive nations of the
| world? Would it not be in line with
! our material progress on all lines as
, wise, far-seeing statesmen. to not only
grasp the great political issues of the
| day and not only discuss those issues
! before the people, but with the sagacity
Of profound statesmen, as educators of
| the people, in anticipation of new is
sues that the. present must neces-
sarily develop, but to formulate
public sentiment to meet and dis
pose of those issues when they
come? say yes, and believe that the
sovereign people of this state, at the
primary to be held May 10. will rise in
their might, and by their ballots rele-
gate such disturbers of peace and good
will to the rear.
AS to the three candidates for Sena-
torial honOrs who first appeared upon
the rostrum, believe that either has
sufficient ability, if their intellect was
conferred upon conservatism and pro-
found craftsmanship, to represent
Florida with honor to himself and cred
it to his constituency.
There is but one Ben Tillman to use
a "pitchfork' and hold his own and
command a degree of respect among
his fellow Senators. 1 am of opinion
that in view of Florida's great need
hi Of I,a r,fl
her rivers and HORRORS, and, last but |
not least, in securing national aid i'm
the construction of improved roads, and
the construction of ship canal across |
the most eligible point of Florida, that !
it would not be good craftsmanship to !
swap horses while crossing the river" |
and place instead of tried and true rep
resentatives a pepper-box in the Unit !
ed States Senate, because, forsooth, his !
fiery venom might drive from US our |
best and most efficient cO-workers.
The history of Florida comes down |
with an unbroken democratic precedent |
in giving her representatives in Con- !
gress a second term. 1 do not claim /
that Senator Taliaferro is entitled to /
the credit solely Of all that was done |
beneficially for Florida during his term |
in office. A PascO, Dougherty, a Bull |
lock and others did their best. did well, |
and under the same circumstances that |
Senator Taliaferro was surrounded. and |
the same unity of action that prevail
ed among our Congressman, would !
doubtless have done as he did, succeed
ed. A Mallory, a Sparkman and Da-
Wis stood shoulder to shoulder with
him, and each is entitled to the hearty
encOmium of all the people, of well
done, good and faithful servants" and
by their votes at the ensuing primary,
say. We reward merit, unity and sue
cess; return and continue to do as you
have done" II. w. Long.
Martel Florida.