The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-12-08
RELIES ON HIS RECORD
Mr. Sparkman Has No Reason to he
Ashamed Of Any Of His Acts as
COngressman

To the democratic voters Of the
first congressional district Of Florida:
Responding to the expressed wishes
of a large number of the voters of
the first congressional district Of
Florida I have again become a can
didate for the nomination to Congress
from this district. With record of
sixteen years of service in that body
it would seem unnecessary that l
should promulgate a platform of prin
ciples, for that record speaks for it
self and should furnish a criterion by
which my course In the future may be
determined. During this term Of ser
vice / have neither represented nor
worked for any special interest or in
terests. but have endeavored to rep
resent alike all the people and every
!. legitimate interest in the district. I
have not knowingly cast single vote
or performed a single act against the
interest of the people whom l have
had the honor of representing, but
have ever acted and spoken in their
favor. Such is the record I have to
present and by that record I am will
ing to be Judged.
Knowing that ample transportation
facilities should be furnished in order
that the surplus products of the coun-
try might be easily and cheaply trans
ported and distributed among con-
sumers at home and abroad [ have
given my attention while in Congress
| largely to river and harbor improve
| ments, during which time nearly four
| teen million dollars have been appro-
priated or authorized for the rivers
and harbors in our state. But much
I
mands Of our rapidly growing COM
merce shall have been met. All our
rivers should be given greater depths,
| our harbors still further improved,
and several canals constructed. Oc-
cupying at this time a position which
1 trust will the better enable me to
accomplish this work I shall to the
| best of my ability endeavor to do so.
| In addition to water and other
transportation facilities, and supple
mentary thereto, our public roads oc-
| cupy an important place in all trans
portaton problems. 1t is over these
| roads that the farmer and other pro-
ducers haul much of their products
| to market or to points on railroads,
| harbors, rivers and canals for car
! riage to other localities. Just now
] there is a strong and healthy senti-
ment in favor of the Improvement of
| these highways in order that their
usefulness may be increased, and be-
lieve the time has come when the fed
eral government should participate in
| this class of improvement. l shall,
therefore, use my best efforts towards
insuring such participation and to
that end shall endeavor to have Con-
gress enact the necessary legislation.
I believe in the construction by
the government of public buildings in
all towns and cities where the pub
lie business will Justify. 1 have al
ready been instrumental in providing
for such structures in several towns in
the district, but there yet other
places where government buildings
are needed and it will be my pleasure
to do what 1 can toward having them
provided as early and as expeditions
1y as possible.
Instrumental in the first place in
having the surviving soldiers of the
Florida-Indian war Of 1867 and
and the widows of those deceased
placed upon the pension roll. I shall
continue my efforts to have the pen
sions increased to an amount. com
i mensurate with the great Service
| tHtSe olt plOHeeES VI lOT1ud lie per
formed in the early development Of
our state.
This is a progressive age and
shall assist as long as I have the hon
or of representing the people of Flor
ida in Congress to carry out all plans
of reform looking to the bettermen
. of conditions affecting the masses.
My duties in Congress. now NOR.
exacting than ever, will keep me ava!
from Florida the greater part of tn
time between this and the primarie
next year that it may be impossi
BILE for me to visit all parts of the dis
, trict, but I shall, nevertheless, see o
communicate with many OF m,
constituents as possible during tn
! time.
The people during the years I hav
been in Congress, have always give
b | me a very generous support. and as
am not conscious of having neglecte
my duty or done anything to forfei
their good opinion, I shall hope to re
| ceive the same fair and kindly trea;
ment in the present campaign and a
the primaries next year.
Very respectfully.
S. NJ. Sparkman.