The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1913-05-30
IT MAY Be
MlSGONSTRUED.

Editor Palatka News:-Please al
low me space for publication of
few lines with a view of correcting
an erroneous impression relative to the
action of Hon. w. A. Russell in pass
ing in the House bill to extend the
corporate limits of the city of Pa
latka, as it appears to me that the
publication in the Times-Herald of
last week is likely to do Mr.. Russell
an unintentional injustice. l am not
criticising the Times-Herald, because
| am sure it had no intention of in
juring any one, but was not in a po-
sition to know all of the facts in this
matter as | do. | do not want to get
into any controversy about this mat
ter. Mr.. Russell has been put in the
attitude of rushing this bill through
the House after protest from the
people of the Heights had been plac-
ed with him and Mr.. Middleton. The
fact is, Mr.. Russell took the position
after the protest was filed with him,
that the matter should be first inves-
tigated. Mr.. Middleton also took the
same position told Mr.. Russell
that the matter would be thoroughly
threshed out in the Senate, and that
there all parties interested would
have an opportunity to be heard; that
the present session of the legislature
was rapidly coming to a close, and
that there would be no necessity for
more than one hearing, as the bill
could not become a law without be-
ing passed by both the House and
Senate, and that Senator Wall would
give every one who desired it a hear
ing. Mr.. Russell said that this look
ed perfectly reasonable and that he
did not see any objections to passing
it in the House without delay. Mr..
Russell therefore itroduced the bill
and asked that the rules be waived
for its passage.
Mr.. Middleton arose and stated that
he had petition signed by number
Of people opposing the bill, but that
in view of the fact that a hearing
would be had in the Senate, he woull |
not oppose the bill. With this as
Surance the House passed the bill
unanimously, except that Mr.. Middle
5on, after the roll had been called. |
asked to be recorded as voting against
it.
A public hearing was had before
The Senate committee and those op- |
posed to the passage Of the bill were
ably represented by Hon. Fred T |
Myers, one Of the ablest lawyers in
he State, and also other persons of
Palatka Heights were present anj |
spoke against the bill. For many
lays Senator Wall gave this matter |
careful consideration and heard every
one who had anything to say about |
he bill.
Hons. A. Usina, mayor; ]. s. Vel
Eerton, president of city council
Howell A. Davis, president of the
BOARD of trade; Mr. Merriam, alder
nan, and myself suggested to Sena
or Wall, that he amend the bill by
!dding a referendum thereto, provid-
ng that the bill should take effect
lpon ratification of a majority of the
loters of Palatka and Palatka
ielghts. He agreed with us that
hls was the proper thing to do under
he circumstances, and requested me
o prepare the amendment, which
1t will be seen that all of this crit
cism about undue haste is without
merit. The city council of Palatka
las been criticised for considering
his matter in executive session, and
or not giving notice of their inten.
ION to procure the passage of law
'Xtending the corporate limits of Pa
atka. | am frank to admit that il
would have been better policy to have
'iven such notice, as perhaps such
.ction would have deprived the Pa
atka Water Works Company, that
las been owned and operated in this
lty for nearly twenty-seven years
" nonresident capitalists whose
freed has been oppressive to our peo
Die, of a weapon to use in it's de-
'ense, where otherwise it would have
'een under the necessity of inventinc
ONE other means to defeat our peo-
Ne in an effort intended to protect
md safeguard their interests; but
here was nothing wrong in holding
he executive session. 1t has always
'een the custom and the right of such
}odies to hold executive sessions. II
S not an unusual thing. 1t is a very
'ommon thing. While we were before
he Senate in behalf of this measure.
We were turned out of that August
ody perhaps more than a dozen
ines when the Senate went into ex