The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-12-10
CROMWELL GIBBONS,
of Jacksonville.
Jacksonville, rIa., Dec. 1, 1911.

Jacksonville, Tla., Dec. /, 1911.
Editor Pensacola Journal
Replying to your courteous favor OF
the 18th ult, requesting a few lines
why would like to be governor of
Florida" it is with pleasure l have af-
forded me this special opportunity to
say something on so important a sub
iect.
Yes, wish and hope to be governor
of Florida and following the dictates
of my mind, I have decided to offer
myself to the Democratic citizens of
the state as a candidate for the high
and exalted office of chief magistrate
of the state of Florida
I believe if it is the election of our
Democratic people I should be gov
ernor / can be of service to the people
and bring about many needed reforms
1 have in view, all of which 1 have
been giving the most careful con-
sideration for several years past. l
have since early boyhood been inter
ested and worked continuously in the
cause of democracy, and the Florida
atmosphere of progress, holding at
times, since l reached my majority,
many positions of trust and honor
rendered me by our Democratic people,
all of which has availed me the priv
ilege and opportunity of learning and
observing to such an extent 1 believe
/ readily see and know what could be
done today to correct evils that have
crept into our government and i'm
prove our present status before the
world as one of the most progressive
and p-building states in the Ameri
can unity.
1t is well known 1 have always adj
vocated and supported all measures
that helped to raise the moral and in
telligence of our citizens; and regu-
lated the business affairs of our people
so that the public interest and well
fare at all times were safely guarded.
/ point with pride to this record. Many
of the subjects l could discuss in de-
tail now, but l believe it is unneces-
sary to do so, as the people must
know that have read and remembered
these facts so thoroughly the same
have been given publicity.
Today we should advance upon new
things to make the necessary pro-
gress in this day of prosperity to keep
up with the tide of the times.
While we have done in the past what
we may have believed was right and
best for our people, nevertheless if we
now see where we can change and
better conditions, it is but right and
proper 1t should be done.
/ am for such changes as may be
necessary to accomplish the needed
reforms.
Against Leasing Convicts.
Our state has recognized for many
years the necessity of leasing our
convicts. and we know that our gov
-ernment has been richly benefited. The
time has now come when l believe this
system should cease. We are in need
of good roads throughout the state,
and as we have vast territory to ac-
complish the same fairly in the inter-
est of all sections, it will be absolutely
necessary to construct many miles of
hard surface roads I 6now of no bet
ter plan by which to relieve the people
of heavy taxation and to obtain these
good roads than to abolish the convict
lease system and organize our convicts
into a good road movement and con-
struct these roads throughout the
given this subject the proper study
and know it can be done on a bust
ness basis and if carried out during
the term of one administration at least
5000 miles of hard surfaced roads will
be constructed by the convicts of the
state of Florida. If elected governor
shall see to it that the convict lease
system is abolished and that the con-
victs build these roads.
Also We are "a great agricultural
state. The West has developed and
become rich on its wheat and corn,
and the magnet of the South is cotton,
although we raise much corn and
sugar cane. The merits of these es-
sentials is largely in favor of cotton,
and in our state while this industry
has not been so extensive it can be
made so, and also we can become a
great sugar producing community and
also raise a good proportion of the