The Palatka news. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1907-06-21
THE LEGISLATURE
AS VIEWED BY
HON. PARK TRAMMELL
AND
EDITOR CLAUDE L'ENGLE.
BY SENATOR PARK TRAMMELL.

|
How uncharitable are some few o
our editors in dealing with the Flori
da Legislature. Why, to read thu
Times-Union and few other papers
that have been abusing the gang
(the leglslature) as they term it, one
would believe, should they give any
credence to these, papers, that the
people had elected and sent to the
legislature gang of the most ig.
norant, vicious, insincere, disloyal
and unqualified men that ever COM
posed law making body. The i'm.
preston that these few editors are
trying to create we believe is unjust
and the attack and criticism unwar.
ranted. 1t is either the fruits of ig.
norance as to the real work done by
the legislature, or the outcome OF
malice, neither of which furnish
equitable grounds for the abuse in
dulged in by these few papers. We
expected the corporation papers to
be dissatisfied with the passage OF
laws that will more fully regulate
railroads, and require of them a more
complete performance of their duty.
tWe expected some editors who have
personal animosity for some men,
bers of the legislature to have a feel
ing of regret and jealousy that these
particular men were active workers
in the interest of the people, but we
cannot see how these reasons Justify
a general charge and thrust at the
| legislature. Would it not be more
frank and sincere for these papers to
come out plainly and say WHY and
for what purpose they make these
attacks? Why not go after the man
directly that it is hoped to injure,
take up his record and see what the
people think of it2 Why not specify
the measures that it is believed are
wrong and commend those that it is
believed are good instead of making
II wholesale charge against the legis-
lature for reasons that it seems to US
are selfish reasons. The very few
papers that are so harsh in referring
to the Legislature have the right to
their opinion but as for the Sun, we
differ with them, and will say that
we believe the legislature which ad-
jOurned last week was composed of
as able, patriotic and sincere men as
ever formed a Florida legislature,
and we will say further that this
body would compare very favorably
with the Legislatures of other states.
We offer the suggestion that dur
ing the session just closed, class leg
islation met stronger opposition, and
legislation in the interest of the
masses was more popular and was
more generally supported by the
members of the legislature than has
been true of any Florida assembly
for many years. No wonder the
corporation people abuse the legisla-
ture, as the sentiment manifested by
this body indicated most conclusive
ly that the peoples interest and well
fare was being conserved more fully
than in days gone by.
when you read abuse and criti-
cism think a moment, recall the
policy of the paper, consider the per-
sonal animosity of the editor, if he
has any, and often you can read
more between the lines, than is ap-
parent in the words written. While
in some instances we disagreed with
the majority of the legislature, yet
taking their entire work into consid-
Grafton we think the body deserves
credit and not abuse. In all kind
ness we venture the assertion that
these few. editors who are so severe
in their abuse, would not have i'm
proved conditions in the least had
they been among the lawmakers.
Be fair, don't be always finding
fault with everybody's work except
your own. You cannot fool the peo-
pie and turn them against those who
are loyal and true to trust confided
TO them