The Ocala banner., 1911-09-08
FRIENDLY SUGGESTION TO
CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR

VIII listen to patriotic suggestion:
The newspaper men of Florida have
done more for the advancement of
the state than any other class of cit
liens. In proportion to means they
nave contributed more than all other
professions combined This applies
not only to the daily, but also to the
weekly papers.
In every department of public work,
the pencil pushers have done valiant
service. At every step of Floridas s
onward march the editors have led.
When the reconstruction era rested
like pail over the whole state. the
pens of Dycke, Mccollum and others
wrote words OF hope. While Blox-
ham, Call and other gifted sons
spoke, the editors wrote. heir words
stirred the people. Patriotism was
aroused. The people, native and
northern-born, united and redeemed
the state from the clutches of the
crowd that was fast sucking her life
away.
Later, in the work of rebuilding,
the Florida editors were leaders Our
public school system had to be organ
lied and started on its great work.
Major A. J. Russell spoke and trav-
eled and gradually brought the peo-
pie around to the great cause. Pub
lie opinion was formed. Appropria-
tions followed, and Florida has now
a splendid system of schools. but
nothing to what it will be in the next
decade or so. The people are de-
manding more money, better houses
and better equipments, and that the
school and the business world be
brought into closer touch. The Flor
ida editor has contributed greatly to-
wards this advancement
In. the matter of the public health,
the state has gone forward. Our state
board of health has become a constit-
uent part of the government. With
Dr. Porter at the helm, we no longer
dread yellow fever. The Florida ed
itors helped nightly in this work.
The papers create public opinion that
precedes reform.
The great Improvement in trans
portation is marked, especially to
those who have been here from the
sixties. Railroads, with all their
faults, have been great agents for
prosperity. They are running north
and south over our peninsular. Soon
they will cross and recross the state,
opening up opportunity and increas-
ing value.
The good roads movement has
come to stay. The day of bad roads
will not much longer last. The peo-
pie are waking up to the folly of Civ
ing millions for the deepening of har-
bors and rivers, and leaving the
great masses to bog in mud or sand.
Not many years will pass before the
matter of state and national aid will
be live issue, and no man can go to
the legislature or congress and ig
more it. The Florida editors have no
| bly, led in this work.
In the matter of legislation to pro
tect public morals, without the aid OF
the newspapers, saloons would dc
their deadly work at every cross
roads. Public sentiment has SO
grown against the traffic, that it took
Pleasant Holt, backed by the mil
lions of the liquor trust, to save even
Jacksonville for the cause. Without
the Christian allies" like Brothers
Long, Rogers, Caldwell and Crawford,
tthe day would have been lost. The
lottery went. Now even race-track
gambling has become so odious as to
enlist the legislative opposition OF
the most liberal of the liberals.
While things are not what they
should be, morally, Florida is bet
ter part of the world than it was
twenty-five years ago. Even the sa-
looms are trying to be decent and be-
have, while they continue, protected
by law, to kill and cripple manhood
and womanhood
The Editors Are Due a Recognition
Without the help of the newspapers
how little would have been done? We
might go on. One question remains.
Has the editor received his just re-
ward of public office? He has helped
lawyers become senators, legislators,
judges and generals. Poor, he has
put in motion Influences that made
many rich. He. has boosted unpopular
causes till they became great and pop
ular He has seen the candidate be-
come great and forget the poor editor.
Not often has the press asked for
any honor for one of its members.
Occasionally one has become private
Saorotarv IN keen his chief in the