The Pensacola journal., 1907-06-11
. . . : . Q 9 = . . = . > 80
PARK TRAMMELL DEFENDS
THE LAST LEGISLATURE.


Hon. Park Trammell. president o.
/ the senate two years ago, and mem
Der of that body during the recent ses
sion, comes to the defense of the leg
isIaturc, through his paper, the Lake
. land Sun, as follows:
How Uncharitable are some few Oi
Our editors in dealing with the Flor
ida legislature Why to read the
Times-UniOn and a few other papers
that have been abusing the gang
(the IeEislature) 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 a gang of the most ignOT-
ant, vicious, insinceTe, dislOyal and
unqualified men that ever composed
a law making body. The impression
that these few editors are trying to
create we believe is unjust, and tn
attack and criticism unwarTanted. II
is either the fruits of ignorance as to
the real work done by the legislature,
or the outcome Of malice, neither Of
which furnish equitable grounds for
the abuse indulged IN by these few
papers. We expected the corporation
papers to be he dissatisfied with the
passage of laws that will more fully
regulate railroads, and require Of
them more complete performance
Of their duty. We expected some edi-
tors who have personal animCsity for
some members Of the legislature to
have a feeling 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 il not be more
frank and sincere for these papers to
come out plainly and say why and
for what purpose they make these at
tacks? Why not go after the man di-
rectly that it is hoped to injure, take
up his record and see what the peO-
pie think of it? Why not specify the
that II is believed are
wrong and commend those that
it is believed are good instead of max
ing a wholesale charge against the
legislature for reasons that IL seems
TO us are selfish reasons. The very
few papers that are so harsh in refer
ring to the legislature have the right
10 their opinion but as for the Sun, We
differ with them, and will say that We
believe the legislature which ad-
jOuTned last week was composed of
as able patriotic and sincere men as
ever formed a Florida legislature. and
we viii say further that this body
would compare very favOrably with
he legislatures Of other states.
We offer the suggestion that during
the session just closed, class Iegisla-
ton met stronger opposition, and leg
SlatiOn in the interest of the masses
vas mere popular and was more gen
orally supported by the members of
x. = a ho r,fL
any Florida assembly for many years.
10 wonder the corporation people
abuse the legislature, as the sentiment
by this body indicated
most cOnclusiveIy that the peoples
interest and welfare was being con-
served more fully than in days gone
~.
When you read abuse and criticism
hink q moment, recall the policy of
he paper. consider the personal ami
mostly OF the editor, Fif he has any. /
md often you can read more between
ne lines. than is apparent in the
words written. While in some in (
taECes we disagreed with the major I
" of the legislature vet taking their T.
'ntire work into consideration we
hink the body deserves credit and .
OJ abuse. In all kindness We ven
ure the assertion that these few edi- .
ors who are 50 severe in their abuse,
would not have improved conditions
n the least had they been among the
7wmakers.
Be air. don't be always finding
aulC with yerybOdy's work except
our own. You cannot fool the DeO-
lie and turn them against those who
re loyal and true to trust cOnfded
D them.