The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-03-31
vox PoPULI.
SARCASTIC OBSERVATIONS
ON PROGRESSIVE PENSACOLA


SARCASTIC OBSERVATIONS
ON PROGRESSIVE PENSACOLA.
Editor Pensacola Journal:
AS Mark Twain would say, 1T is
amusen," the way some people kick
because they think Pensacola is not
progressive enough. The idea, to in
sinuate for moment that Pensacola
is not an up-to-date city, Absurd
Pensacola, the Queen City of all the
Southland; whose skirts are laved and
washed in the clear waters of the
gulf and the sea; at whose feet the
silyery sands reflect back the sun
beams ladened with ozone, health and
beauty; and in whose skyScrapers a
million dollars worth of business is
but an item.
As Mark would say, HE is an anu
sen cuss," that would say such things
about Pensacola, the brightest gem in
the diadem of all Dixieland, having
the broad waters of the sail-bedecked
bay in front and backed on the north
by the pines and cedars and roses
like unto those of Lebanon.
A former most progressive mayor
OF the city said this gem" was the
Oldest city in the United States. II
he was right, it proves the city to be
progressive one, for has it not with
in that mystical time built FIVE
straight blocks of brick pavement and
promised us some more some day?
What more do they want2 Some peo,
pie are so hard to please. Then the
sidewalks, too. they claim, do not in,
dictate city enterprise and progress.
How blind they must be, Have we not
often seen where some progressive
citizen had nailed down an extra
cleat to stir your corns, Or turned a
plank lengthwise to bridge the chasm
where piaRks are gone, and if the
great storm of 1906 did carry away
some mems sidewalks. aren't they
talking of replacing them sometime !?
Some people are so impatient
Then does not our honorable and
wide7awake Chamber OF Commerce,
and dads of the city clearly demon
strate that they fully comprehend the
situation? Certainly they do. When
Major Mint, Colonel Takeem, or the
Hon. JOcco Val Diem comes to town,
aren't they "wined and dined'' and car
ried out in Uncle Sans vessels and
shown the beauties, the value and the
strategic advantages of her deep, sun
kissed bay, where the Great Creator
has shown the grandeur of his handi-
work and cut deep channels to tbs
sea, and planted the deep waters on
whose broad bosom the great ships
and navies of the world may rest. or
ride in safety in storm or sunshine,
and then direct the eyes of her hon
CRADLE visitors out beyond the whist
ling buoy. where runs the straight
and natural road down to Panama
just where the Creator marked the
way long ago, when the ages were
young-and where the ships of all ma
tons Will hasten to carry the com
merce of America out TO the markets
of the world, as il ruShes through the
pearly gates of Pensacola from the
100 cars of the mighty, mighty Louis
vile and Nashville railroad? How
many more mighty railroads and hun
dred thousand beautifully FURNISHED
cars do they want. anyhow? Some peo-
pie are never satisfied.
OF course, our brothers of the re-
nowned Chamber of Commerce and
our lord and dad of the city intended
TO hasten back with our honorable
guests and visitors and show them
over our matchless system of beauti
full parks, and the golden walks of
East and West Pensacola, which to
see is to engender hopes for another
day. but on which to walk Is heaven
(hardly), but it being late they hast
ened back to the club instead.
Did you mention ''veneered' side
walks again? Well. of course, 1t is
not true that the Perry Rif1es'and
the Pensacola Grays" disbanded just
to save the city's mahogany walks,
or their lives. Progress? Well, guess
so.
The matchless beauties of Swiss
Alps" or India's golden strands are
far out-diamonded here, where you
may sit in the loaded" square and
see what wonders men have done.
Boxed her cutters with sandal woods
and cypress. cut her grass with hoes
and from the shadows of her higher
go south to Saunders
wharf. then turn and contemplate the
inspiring sight, nor fail to ponder for
a moment on the singular benevolence
of many citizens. Patriots within the
gates of the Deep Water City by the
Sea. whose many buildings are charit-
ably given free of charge to the birds,
bats and buns, where fires ne'er &C.
cur, nor sorroWs meier wait
Of course, il is not true that theyI
are spared and saved that they may
he used to bunco Uncle Sans boys
again when. his navy returns, or to
stable blind tigers" when prohibit
ton comes to stay.
No! no. Perish the thought
Progress-So mote it be.