The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-02-26
OCALA PEOPLE ASLEEP
To some of Their Rights and Many o.
Their Duties-An Opinion from
Major IzIar

To the Editor OcaIa Banner.
That was a true and timely edito-
rial in the Evening Star yesterday aft
ernoon on the proposed Atlantic Coast
Line railway ordinance. It was wise
and proper for the city council to lay
| it before the people in the public
press. Indeed, it would be well and
greatly to the interest of the citizens
generally if all proposed ordinances
and measures of any kind which af-
feet the people as a whole, and each
one as unit, were published a suf-
ficient length of time before action is
taken upon it, for the people TO care
fully study it and express their views
upon it.
The voice of the people should be
heard in all matters in which their
lives. liberty or property are concern
ed. This is true in all civilized coun-
tries, and more especially in repub-
lie where the people are sovereign,
and the will of the majority the su-
preme law.
The proposed railroad ordinance is
certainly unique 1t asks the city
council to invade the private rights
of certain citizens, take away the
property of landowners and give it to
the railroad, and to do certain other
things which would materially injure
the value of the property of others
which is not touched. Then, not sat
isfied with that, it asks the council to
do things which will materially inter-
fere with the progress of the city and
seriously effect the rights of the pub
lie at large. And then, to cap the eli
max, it asks the council to do that
which it is not clothed with the legal
right to do. | do not know how the
/ city came into control of the streets
the railroad asks that it be allowed
forever to close, but either by dona-
tion or condemnation by legal pro-
ceedings, but, In either case, they
were acquired by the city as public
highways for the free use as such by
the people at large. The fee in the
soil remains in whomsoever the deed
fixes it, and the moment it ceases to
be used as a public highway then the
true owner of the soil may use it as
he likes. only restricted to the limita-
ton that he so uses his own as not to
injure another. The public, through
1.-THE city council, or adverse use, only
acquired an easement over the space
covered by the streets, and nothing
more. It Is not within the power of
the city council to deprive the public
of the use so acquired by any kind of
Legislation whatever.
But the joke of the proposed ordi-
nance is in section 5-"In Considera-
ton" Is it not wonderful? Is it not
one of the most liberal propositions
one ever heard of? In Consideration ;"
Yes, if you will give us property and
privileges (which do not belong to
you and which would injure the true
owners thousands of dollars) we will
use this valuable donation in building
for ourselves a fine, commodious,
brick depot to facilitate the handling
of our business We will not reduce
your freight rates any, not by any
means. but we will put in good cross
ings where we cross streets, and re-
place any paving we remove in build
ing our sidetracks and spurs just as
we found it, and then-mirabiIe dictui
I've will tear down the old freight
depot, which has for so many years
obstructed Osceola street.
Yes, il you will grant US the few
little trifies we ask of you in the pre-
vious sections of the proposed ordi-
} nance, We pledge you our word and
honor that we will do-well, just ex-
actly what the law would make us do
in like circumstances in any event,
. and nothing more.
Even the removal of the old freight
depot might long ago have been ac-
complished if the proper steps had
been taken. But, enough
/ The very best preventive for all
) future regrets is the peoples knowl-
edge of their own affairs So let us
have publicity in all matters which
t effect the masses. The only condition
required of the individual in order to
secure justice, is that he should al
ways take his proper part in the gov
! ernment. and whenever this has fail
4 ed to insure the good of the communi
ty, in whole and in part, it is where
II this condition has not been observed
; When the individual prefers to at
$ tend to his private business and sci
: fish concerns to the neglect of his civ
!. : ic duties. and has delegated these te
the professional politicians, harm has
resulted. But it is harm which car
always be cured by reverting to civic
duties. We have seen. not once, bu
: many times, how abuses have beer
: corrected when they have proceeded
so far as to awake the people to theil
enormity.
). The people of Ocala have been. t,