The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1906-11-09

words Of admiratiOn for Congressman
Clark'S manner Of handling the drainage
question In his speech ct the courthouse
last Saturday evening. The breadth,
depth and honesty Of his treatment Of
the matter 10 admitted by all who are
not 30 utterly biased In favor Of the
Governors scheme a. to be incapable
Of ratioaal conclusion. Indeed, his
argument completely revolutionize6 the
opinion Of many In the audience who
had gone to the meeting thoroughly in
favor Of the amendment, but left It con-
vinced that its passage would be a crime
against the people OF Florida. They
saw through the weakness and fallacy
Of the Governors position when viewed
through the clear lenses Of truth and
reason which was held before their
eyes Clark's language was bold, un-
flinching, wonderfully powerful. Every
word echoed with the honest conviction
Of the speaker, and therefore carried a
moral weight and momentum which
could not be resisted. He struck at the
root of the question. There was no
fiim-ham game. No shutting about
with "ifs" and "buts," with explana-
tions and excuses. He stood on the
broad plane of the peoples rights and
held in view the dangerous menace to
those rights involved in the amend
ment.
In this connection The Tribune wishes
to call attention to what seems to be
the exceedingly thin and delicate cuticle
that covers the moral anatomy of some
of our Florida statesmen. They are
men standing high in public trust, whose
opinion is looked up to by the people,
and who, undoubtedly, the people may
reasonably turn to for the expression
of an opinion when grave political is
sue is before them.
Why is it that Frank Clark is the on
ly Florida Congressman bold enough
and sufficiently inspired by feeling of
duty toward his constituents to make
public attack upon the pet scheme of
the State Administration?
They, more than any other men IN
the State, are the best qualified to
know the facts about the drainage
amendment. They are also known to
be opposed to the amendment.
Then why this lack Of zeal in the well
fare of their State? Is it trucking
to certain elements in power? Is it
fear of some to hurt their precious
selves?
Verify, they need some pachyderma-
tous treatment to cure their exceeding
constituencies.
There are other prominent citizens
in the State who are equally derelict.
Take the lawyers, for instance. Fully
four-ffths of the bar of Tampa are
opposed to the drainage amendment.
They are of a profession whose opinion
would carry the heaviest weight in in
huencing the people on such question.
Yet, almost complete silence from the
fraternity. The press of the city and
of the country has been at their SER
vice; would gladly have printed their
views They would have been well
coined on the stump by admiring audi
snces. But no, they have held their
peace.
They wonld, apparently, prefer sad
ding an obnoxious law upon the State
to risking what? The enmity of the
powers that be? What else can be the
cause? They have generally been ready
and willing to express opinions upon
the slightest provocation.
In the opinion of the Tribune this is
all wrong, and these extre nely sensi-
tive gentlemen have come to false
conclusion However much Governor
Broward may be mistaken about the
drainage amendment, he is a man, and
would be the last to resent an honest
expression of opinion by any overt or
unfriendly act.
~~~-~~~~~~--~-~~~~~>~~~~~
The opponents of the Drainage Amend
ment, while confidently relying upon
the intelligence of the voters, neverthe-
less deemed it expedient to make every
effort to 30 thoroughly inform them
concerning the true intent and meaning,
as we'll as the inevitable effect, IL adopt