The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1907-04-12
GOVERNOR WOULD
MUzZLE THE PRESS
what Oar Florida Newspapers Think
Of His Proposed Leais-
lati0n.

OF all the foolish and unreasonable
propositions advanced by public Off
eial in ages is that of Governor Brow
ard 10 which he suggests that the Legis-
lsture pass bill placing a great big
muzzle upon the newspapers of the
State, and all because the majority of
them have chit him hard' on his out
rageous drainage scheme. Of course
the Legislature will pay no attention to
his s'whining lamentations, I" but as a
matter of record it shows the smallness
Of the man whom the people elected
Governor Of our great State. Fort
White Herald.
Governor Broward has sued the Times
Union for $50, 900 libel for a cartoon
which appeared in that paper recently.
Well, numerous newspapers have been
sued for libel by many persons who bad
grievances, fancied or otherwise, with
out serious results to the newspapers, -
Washington Verdict.
Geel Won't that suit of Governor
Broward's against the Times-Union
bring out matters that will not look
good in print The fur will sho' fly
Dade City Star.
News comes from Tallahassee that
the Governor is suing the Times Union
for divorce and $50, 900 alimony. He is
making the Floridian the correspondent
Jacksonville Eloridial
Governor Broward of Florida comes
ont in his message, in which he advo-
Gates draining the Everglades, gagging
the press, building good roads, paying
rural school teachers better salaries
and deporting all negroes TO some new
country. There are only two of these
that are practicable, namely: building
good roads and paying the teachers
more. There are other improvements
needed more than draining the Ever
glades; the public will not stand for the
suppression of freedom of speech; and
as to deporting the negroes, If it wasn't
for the negroes in Florida every turpen-
tine distillery, saw mill tobacco farm
and cotton plantation would have to
shut down and go out of business; and
since il is owing TO these four indus
tries have increased SO per cent in five
years, we can readily see what would
happen to the taxable values should the
mainstay of labor be dispensed with. -
The Guidon.
Why should Governor Broward attack
the fundamental principles of American
his present position? Is he so dazed by
the apparent success of the President
that he would follow in the same path
even at the humble distance prescribed
by the relative strength of the nation
and one of its least populous States?
The Governor has assured us that he
was not learned, in the beginning, but
he has dipped into the classics of late,
and quotes frequently the names of Ly-
eurgus and other ancients. Evidently
he doesn't think himself unlea1ned
now, for he breaks a larce on the shield
of Jefferson, and denies the Organism
Of which he once boosted to deny the
press the right to speak it's opiD-
ion ,of him Gag the press, Gov
ernor? H. what democratic school did
YOU find that thought? Looking back
on your own experience, now, would
you think the candidate or the paper
more wrongcd in the course Of the last
debate? II papers made consuming fun
Of your claim TO exact knowledge Of
the Everglades. of your amazing prof
cheney in engineering science, which
could furnish the exact cost of The
drainage OF millions Of acres. OF that
knowledge Of law which settled OF
hand the title TO lands equal in extent
TO some sovereign States and cOmpl-
Gated by court decisions Of which you
never beard, didn't you fight back?
Didn't the candidate respond 10y saying
the newspaper was q hireling, had been
bought to deceive, had no conscience
and no patriotism or decency. Now,
we grant that these examinations
were exchanged But we note that the
people sustained the charges Of the
papers which had relation 10 the subject
before the house charges against the
papers were only those the attorney for
the defense always launches at its OPP
ponent when it has no case. But why
have the law silence the paper and not
the candidate? And, If this favor was
to be asked, why bring forward an in
stance which shows how much more
valuable the paper may be thai this
particular candidate to the people at
hrge7-St. Augustine Record.
The message of the Governor of
Florida Is long, but It is interesting,
and for that reason its length will be
excused IL deals with many subjects,
and all Of them are handled vigorously
end comprehensively. II may be that
nany Of his constituents may not agree
with all his recommendations and sug-
gestions, bot they will accord him the
praise for tranlCness and clearness in
the presentation of his views. Perhaps,
eventually, he win come TO the eoDelu-
sion that he made . mistake Ia intro
&ucing into 3 state paper Of such inn