The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1909-04-30

bout.
THE great assemblage seemed en-
sconced in a vague and uncertain at
mosphere To the unaccustomed the
situation was awe-inspiring. utterly
devoid of fascination. and bearing a
tendency to cause one to divorce him.
self from the whole scene.
THE fight was LED in the morning
by Hon. w. a. MacWiniams Of St.
Johns county for the local optionists
or Observation-Disclosures and Hon. 5. J.
Hilburn of Putnam county for the
prohibitionists or submissionists.
Mr.. MacWiluams. eloquent, cum
ming and evasive. held the floor for
more than two hours. regardless of
all efforts to have him ruled out of or
der and off the floor. He was fight
| ing against odds. but he fought vail
antly.
THE fight was lost. but with sheer
force of ability he was plunging into
the ranks of the opposition a filbus-
ter that was proving effective in STAY
ing off action of the proposed meas
ure.
at was an inspiring sight to see
him standing alone manipulating the
situation in defense of what he
thought right and to the best interests
Of his state. He, by his manly stand
won the admiration of all, despite the
serious measure at issue.
Hon. ]. Z. Caiklns of Nassau sue
ceeded Mr.. MacWilliams on the floor.
He was effective and showed a thor
ough knowledge of the best manner in
which to handle the situation.
Hon. Frank E. Chase of Duval
made his maiden speech. Mr.. Chase
demonstrated that he is endowed with
the ability to become effective in
speech. and his remarks were force
full and impressive in behalf of oppo-
sitiOn to the resolution.
My Bynum of Hamilton also oppos-
ed the resolution, while Mr.. Rich
bourg of Walton took the opposite
stand.
Mr.. Davis of Madison made one Of
the most common sense speechee ever
heard in the halls of the state capt.
toll Having never in all his life allow
ed one drop of an intoxicating liquor
to touch his lips, and having always
! took a stand against the liquor traf-
fic, he believed in local option. He
| believed that statewide prohibition
meant the interference with local self
government. His speech had a telling
effect, and he was literally applaud
ed
Mr.. Dupont Of St. Johns spoke
against the resolution. while Mr. Mil
Ter of Lake spoke in favor of the res
olution, as did Mr.. Thornton of Volu-
STA.
MIR. Hilburr of Putnam made a
| forceful argument IN favor of the res
| olutiOn. Mr.. Hilburn was most point
/ ed in his remarks and a complete
knowledge of the measure at issue
gave him force for an argument that
had the file and rank of the prohis in
perfect order. His speech was repeat
eddy broken by applause
AT this stage a dramatic incident
| occurred. The speaker. Hon. Ion L.
Farris Of Duval was seen to motion
to Mr.. Knowles of Monroe The gem
tleman from Monroe took the speak
er's chair, while Mr. Farris took the
floor. Mr.. Farris stated that he want
ed to be heard upon the measure. de-
string to make his remarks bearing on
same when the time arrived for its
final passage. The resolution being
placed on third and final reading UNI
der waiver of rules, the speaker be-
gan his argument against the reso-
luton. His speech was a masterpiece.
He delved into tht seriousness of the
measure from the starr He pointed
| out the unjust harm that would be
/
| Of Jacksonville ami the larger cities
of the state where local option was
desired. He represented a constituent
cy that thought there was sufficient
| legislation along the prohibition line.
He was true to his constituency and
would vote against the adoption of
| the resolution. He pleaded with the
members of the house to act cautious
ly in passing judgment upon a meas
ure that meant 50 much to the bust
ness interests of the state. He was
eloquent and forceful and although
the speech may not have changed any
votes. yet it made deep impression
and made all the members proud of
the ability of their presiding officer
Following the speech motion was
made to waive the rules and adopt
the resolution The motion r,ra,-aiIad