The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-05-07
Second and Last EpistIe from BIitS ShtO
to the Board of Trade
of OcaIa

Gentlemen:-When on the night of
the 25th ult we declared our lineup
with those seeking county separation
we so stressed the information as that
there could remain no doubt in the
minds Of those present as TO the sin
cerity, of our utterance. ] shall cQu-
tinue in the struggle. achieving the
men who STAYS III the fight displays
a. much courage as he who wins it. q
Whenever and even the magnanfm,-
~ Of a county's intersetes Is such mat
the County Fathers permit taxation
without representation then and in
that event the subject who cannot
share equally with the more fortunate
sections should be allowed, and even
urged, 10 seek redress by the estab-
lishment of a kingdom peculiarly
their own.
We have not proposed the new
county merely to give expression to
the disgruntled element of either coun-
ty. We are not insurgents, but we are
progresslves. There was a time when
Florida had only two counties; and
from time To time as the eNtgencIes of
the case demanded and the necessities
Of the people required, citize, f Flor
ida have been given smallf counties
which brought government closer to
what extent should men be incOnven-
fenced in reaching county Officials.
should they be required to travel thir-
ty to forty miles, - not government
for convenience as well as safety?
The Ocala papers speak of Marion
county as being equal in area 10 some
European kingdoms; ana this is true
Do we need empires TO conduct the
peoples business and do larger coun-
ties offer any better guaranty to hon
esty of administration Iessening of
taxes er promotion of farmers inter-
ests? Does it follow that large ooun-
ties, while boasting of size, population
and wealth, have corresponding larger
responsibility in her provision for the
welfare and upbutlding of larger
AREA, and in that sense are at a dis
advantage?
Time was when large counties col
lected her taAss from her thousands
OF population and made improvements
only IN certain special or pet locaG-
ties, but the time Is and ON hand right
now, when large counties are overaw-
ed with the stupendous task ~ quick
II passing out 10 ali her people similar
improvements and for which the peo-
pie are justly calling. Small coun-
ties have the advantage of being able
TO get around in a shorter time and
accomplish thls work and thus make
! people happier and more contented.
The territory were requesting is
not extensive but embraces q larger
area of splendid agricultural soil thar
! il contained in another county in Flor.
/ ida.
/ If the line between the present Mar.
ion and Levy counties should be pickel
to within five miles of Ocala. no mer.
chant of Ocala would feel the chang
in his business. the same fifteen mile
would stand between BIehJon ans
Ocala and the habit Of going to tn
Brick City" 10 trade would remain
unchanged If Ocala is now enioyin:
the. patronage of the people in he
stores. banks. hotels, factories. an
schools that she should have it is be
cause these interests have not prepaT
ed themselves for more than they ar
receiving. St'ck peg here.
The growth and development Of cit
les do not depend uDon the area O
a county or the extent Of its forest
or the amount Of the untitled lands 0
even the location Of boundary line
defining the limits Of county orEaniza
tions. Success in matters mareria
both TO counties and cities come fT0r
; a contented and prosperous peopl
: whose activities are encouraged b
. good markets, good roads. local organ
; izations. boards OF trade. federation c
. interests and an equal distribution q
. justice 10 all her citizens. special priv
ileges being denied any.
: H BIitch