The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-04-04
Mr.. Lamar is Not
a West Florida Candidate.

The Journal is publishing today an
other communication from its friend,
Mr. A. NJ. Moylan, of Century Es-
Gambia county, in which he continues
his previous argument that Mr.. Lamar
shoul .1Se supported for the senate be-
cause he is West Floridian.
Onr correspondents argument
would be good if it were not for three
things-frst. the geographical location
of a candidate has absolutely nothing
10 do with his fitness or unftness to
represent his state in any official capa-
city; second, Mr.. Lamar is not resi-
dent of what is popularity known as
West Florida; and third, If geograph-
ical location is to be determining
factor, West Florida has candidate In
the person of John S. Beard.
We are not disposed at this time to
discuss Mr.. Lamar's qualifications for
the office to which he aSpires, but
when he is held up as a West Florida
candidate-and particularly to the ex-
clusion of the only candidate who real
ly resides in West Florida word Of
correction is necessarily in order.
An air line from Pensacola to Jack
sonville measures, in round numbers.
1913 miles. Mr. Lamar lives at Mon
icello, in Jefferson county. On this
same air line, Monticello is 200 miles
sast of Pensacola and 1913 miles west
~ To +
lore 81 miles closer to Jacksonville
shan it is to Pensacola 1t is also &c
miles east of the Apalachicola river
he dividing line which separates West
Florida from what is known as mid
de Florida
BY no process Of figures or logic can
MFR Lamar, therefore, be considered
as West Florida candidate, and any
attempt to win votes for him on that
score must necessarily have Just the
reverse effect.
II West Floridians are to choose a
candidate because of location, it nee
essarily follows that John S. Beard
OF Pensacoia-the only West Florfdian
In the race-shouId be their choice
If our Century correspondent really
means what he says about the neces-
sity OF supporting West Florida man.
HIS logic must inevitably lead him to
the support of Mr.. Beard.
The Journal has never been an ad.
vocate OF any man for Office because
or his geographical location. The lat.
ter is a very important consideration
IN the selection of a county seat or
OF state capital, but it has no con-
necuon whatever with the qualifica-
tons Of public servant or of one who
espires to be a public servant.
That mans fitness. or unfltness-
and not his place of residence-is the
only test which The Journal ever ap.
plies.
John S. Beard is a West Floridian-
and the only one in the race-and
those who think that West Floridiau
IS entitled 10 a seat in the senate
should support him for that reason
The Journal is supporting him. how
ever, not because he is West Flor.
ldlani but because 1t believes he would
make a clean, able, fearless champion
or the peoples rights and interests in
body that cannot have too MANY
good men. but which has, unfortunate
ly, for many years been lacking in
many of the essential elements OF
craftsmanship which Mr.. Beard will
. supply.
We are not now discussing Mr.. La,
mars qualifications for the senate. but
we are simply objecting TO having
him held up as a West Florida candt
date when he does not and never did
live in West Florida, and when West
Florida mas a candidate who does live
here.