The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1905-12-22
A TRIBUTE TO sPARkMAN.

Wants Him Returned to Congress
Very Popular in Tampa.
From an article of some length in
the Tribune ON the subject a day or
two ago may be drawn a very correct
idea as regards the congressional sit
uation in the first Florida district
That papers suggestion that Con-
gresham Sparkman is entitled to a
unanimous democratic denomination
doubtless voices public opinion with
accuracy. Coming from such a source,
from paper which preferred another
candidate in the last campaign, the
statement has peculiar force.
It is understood that Congressman
Sparkman is candidate for a renom-
ination. and it is absolutely undoubt-
ed that he viii be triumphantly sue
eessful- The only possible rem ming
question is whether the campaign will
be marred by the quasi candidacy of
some other aspirant, or whether it
shall take the shape of q proper trib-
ute to the character and services of
a man who has deserved everything
of his constituents.
In reviewing the services of the
congressman for the several terms he
has been in the house it is impossible
to detect an instance or occasion in
which ne has not understood the in
tereStS of his constituents-Singly or
collectively-or one in which he mas
not Safeguarded or promoted those in
terests as the circumstances demand
ed 1t is not too much to say that,
broadly considered, Congressman
Sparkman has not made a mistake,
nor ever been found lacking in ag-
gressive and effective push when it
was needed. In view of these circum-
stances it needs no volume of words
to set out the proposition that he
should be accorded a denomination
without the slightest opposition. His
value to his constituents and his abil-
ity to promote their interests grow
with his length of service. This is a
fact attested by universal experience,
and it is one upon which much weight
was laid by his supporters in the on
ly campaign in which he has encount-
cred opposition that was intended to
be serious.
The people of Tampa. his home city,
are especially indebted to Congress-
man Sparkman for his able work in
their BEHALF. of which it is not now
necessary to enter into particulars.
He was fully redeemed and performed
every promise he has made them, even
in the face of what seemed tremend-
Gus obstacles. There is every reason
to believe he will continue able and
willing to extend the same good work.
And this not only for Tampa, but for
every corner of his district. His mem
bership of the rivers and harbors COM
mittee will doubtless be coterminous
with his membership of the house. and
it SO happens that right in this line
lie the greatest and most imperative
needs of his district and 1T follows as a
matter of course, that his willingness
and ability to serve his people will
not be abridged.
The Times has no doubt that the
suggestion of an un-questioned renOm-
meet the universal approval through
out the district, and it congratulates
both the congressman and people that
such is the case. 1t brings the rela-
lions between representative and con-
stituents to that basis which is one
of perfect mutual understanding, con-
fidence and trust, a situation in which
no man is an outsider or to be dis
regarded, no point or port but its
claims are of as much weight as any
others. In short, affairs in the first
district have reached a stage Of pro-
gresisve equilibrium where every in
terest can be and is being taken care
of in harmony with similar care for
every other interest. 1t would be the
widest folly to attempt to shatter or
diSarrange such a conditiOn.-Tamp