The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1907-01-11

NAeAA IA ciAA NelS'--' Alt ID ~ II tOl ali
alike. and all must obey it. or else
they shoulder The responsibility vol
unfairly. and should therefore accept
the consequences which legitimatelv
follow with the best grace possible
lin such cases if anathemas are 10 be
pronounced, let them pile them upon
their own heads and not upon me-
In my advisory capacity there are
number OF matters 10 which
wish 10 cal, tie attention of your hon
orable body. In my opinion some of
them at least, most deeply concern
the future growth. progress and pros
peritv OF our city.
Ocala's Excellent Natural Advantages.
Ooala geographically, is environed
with natural advantages which if ufi-
lied. viii place her on the forefronJ
of most. ii nor all Of The interior
cities Of Florida. Situated near the
center Of the state and peuinsular.
upon an elevation above the sea level
a great as any and greater tnau most
OF the inland towns Jf the state. with
large and prosperous phosphate. ;ur-
Pentino and lumber industries. with
fertile soil and a climate which en-
ableS cur farmers 10 produce success --
fully many valuable agricultural prod
ucts. an endless variety OF choice
vegetables and citrus fruits. We must
upon reflection acknowledge that Ma
ture has dealt with an exceedingly
generous hand towards this locality.
In addition TO all of this. We have
TWO Of the most beautiful and inviting
bodies of water to be found anywhere
in all the wOrld-Lake Weir and Sill
W" Springs-almOst at our doors. The
. latter calls loudly 10 us T. utiliz, the
means which il offers to Guild M the
! commercial interests of tge city ana
community.
The Question Of Transportation.
! This brings me to the question OF
transportation. It is unnecessary
that | enlarge upon il. The city and
community are well acquainted with
the situation-with the oppressive and
discriminating freight rates and mis-
cradle service we are now having with
the railroads. which as matters stand
are our only dependence am thor.
ioughly convinced that the needed re-
lief is within our grasp. if We bur
have the will to reach out and take
hold of ii. BY a determined and unit
ed effort a company can be organized
which can acquire and run a line OF
river steamers from Silver Springs out
into the sea if necessary, and the
same company can build a trOlly line
TO Ocala from the Springs, and con
tlnue it on to Lake Weir if desired
| am satisfied that this scheme is
practicable and with proper, well Iii
rected effort capitalists can be found
who viii readily undertake it. for the
simple reason that it will pay. The
L. :. government can, and doubtless
Will. DO its part by appropriatina
funds To clean out and do whatever
dredging may be needed in OcklaWa
ma and Silver SPRINGS run. In my
opinion once such an enterprise be
comes an established facJ. the trans
pOrtatiOn question will be solved
and solved in such way as 20 re
dOund 10 the lasting building up anC
prosperity of Ocala and Marion coun
" as Wei as other neighboring terri
tory. But 70 accomplish il. it vii
require the hearty. united and persis
tent effort of our citizens and the in
yeStmen1 of some Of their money
in many ways. From its natural 10
cation. our city Will then become {
distributing point for large territory
and wholesale businesses Will be bull
iup and increased. population will com,
in. money put into manufacturing en-
terpriseS and the city will grow il
extent and wealth and all propertie:
greatly increase in value.
But We must be up and doing witt
united and common purpose. and NJ
longer each one struggle for himsel
and in the struggle hope for "th,
survival of the fittest." but labor t,
} the end that all may be "befitted {,
. survive
do not know that this matter comes
within the province OF the city coun
Gil, but | earnestly suggest that an,
aid and encouragement that you
body can give, as well as that yol
as individuals can do. will engag