The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-05-18
The Ever Loving Attitude
of Morton Riddle, Super
| intendent and Lobbyist,
Towards the Senate Pres
ident, it Would Seem that
(! He is to be Selected for
the Contest Four Years
Hence.
BY FRANK L. HuFFAkER.

Tallahassee, May 1T.-The railroa d.
operating in Florida have in years pas
thoroughly demonstrated the fact thai
they are adopts in the master art o.
playing both ends against the middle
In the great game of Florida politics
and particularly in gubernatorial
races
mo matter how the roulette spindle
whirls, we win," has been the motto o1
the common carriers. For instance, II
there were a number of candidates In
gubernatorial race, as was the case
last year, the Coast Line would gel
behind one. the Seaboard another and
the East Coast and the Louisville &
Nashville another. The little indie
pendent roads--if any are really inde-
pendent-fall in line behind their full
grown parents.
In some recent years the Coast Line
has drawn the lucky numbers" and
from the ever loving attitude of
Morton Riddle. superiptendent of and
lobbyist for the Coast Line toward
Senate President Herbert ]. Drane, it
IS evident that he is the selection for
the contest four years hence In nomi-
mating Mr. Drane for the presidency. of
the senate, Hon. Chas Davis paid u
l.retty tribute to Mr.. Drane, whom he
had known since Drane was a boy with
Patches on his trousers. Senator DIR e
Is a man of wealth now, having an
ncxed quite pile during the past ten
years, but ] am of the opinion that
Patches will again beg necessary to keep
his anatomy from sticking out of his
trousers before he gets to be governor.
INSURANCE MONOPOLY.
Following Drane's term in the house
in 1908. through the influence of his
friend, GovernorA w. S. Jennings, Drane
was given complete monopoly of the
states fire insura nee. BUSINESS, which
he still holds. After the Introduction
of Kites house resolution calling on
the board of state institutions for in
formation relative to Draue's monopoly,
the senator conferred for an hour with
Representative j. G. Adkins of Alachua,
who Immediately thereafter wrote a
statement In Drane's defense, and in
spirit of justice your correspondent
gave copies to all daily newspapers.
Representative Adkins admitted that
his firm in Gainesville had for a num-
ber OF years received $4,000 Of the
states insurance from Drane. I then
called to mind the fact that Represen-
tative Adkins's brother, Senator A u.
Adkins, who was hopelessly in the mi
nority in the race for the senate presi-
dency, was at all times In favor of
Senator Drane in case he (Adkins),
who never had more than five votes at
any time, could not get the place him
self. In writing this statement I do
not wish to be understood for one mo-
ment as attempting to reflect upon
either of the Adkins brothers, for / am
particularly fond of the younger
brother. knowing him better than /
know Senator Adkins. but merely use
the argument to show that Drane has
not only made money out of his in
surance pull" but has been In a po-
sition to use 1t to political advantage
as well. I do not insinuate or charge
that this insurance business had any
thing to do with Senator Adkinss at
titude against Senator Hudson in his
race for the presidency, but the COM
mission on $4,000 insurance annually
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