The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-02-06
VOX POPULI
3. J. GONZALEZ ASKS
Mr.. WALKER SOME QUESTIONS


winded article five or six columns
long. has replied to our views on COM
mission form of government, and as
we do not believe that he has touched
upon the most vital points, we do not
feel that we should allow him to
escape doing so.
AS brevity is said to be the soul OF
wit, we believe 1t to also be the soul
Of truth, and the length of his article
defective in a theory where he has to
labor so hard to defend 1t.
We do not propose to tax the read
ers, as he has done, with a superhuity
of words, ridicule and space, but to
confine ourselves to the important
point, which we presented in our for
mer article, and will put this plain,
direct question to the people: Is he
a democrat, and believes in the cleo
tive representative system, which al
lows the people the right to say who
shall fill all other political offices out
side Of the three commissioners; or is
he opposed to a system that grants
them that right?
This point was made in our former
article. and my friend did not seem
to notice it. and perhaps his wisest
course was not to do so. and say some
thing about the material progress Of
the world by evolution, and the inven-
ton of steamships, automobiles, tele-
graph. etc. Now let us ask: What
has the form of government to do with
the inventive genius of man. Have
not geniuses existed in all forms? In
fact the rapid progress made in all
the arts of science have been made in
spite of what may have been the evils
in government. Famine. pestilence.
epidemics, together with bad govern
ment, does not debar the progress Of
cities. Capital will seek paying in
vestments under any form of govern
ment where resources exist.
Mr.. Walker says that the surren-
dering OF some of our waterfront Is
one of the evils wrought under our
present system. But, is 1t an evil?
1t is true we have bartered away
some portions Of it, and in our opinion
it redounded to the interest of the city.
What good is our deep water and fine
harbor, If not utilized. Does deep
water and waterfronts, not utilized, fill
the stomachs of hungry families. If
we could live and prosper by gazing
upon our beautiful harbor there would
be some sense in having 1t, but man
must live. Those who can should be
allowed to use the gifts of nature for
the benefit of others.
Again we are asked, how do we
know that the commission form of
government is dangerous. Have we
not proof that it is from the proceed
irgs at one Of their meetings. A mass
meeting was called. the people were
asked to assemble and say what form
of government they desired. Mark:
the decision Of the people was to be
adopted, their will was to be obeyed.
A proposition was made to insert a
clause in the charter relating to public
utilities. The people voted unani-
mopsly for it's being done. What hap
pened. The very next day the com
nittee of three turned, down the reso-
luton in the face of the people, vio-
lating the pledges made and showing
that a government of three will not
do.
Mr. Walker says that Glasgow, Scot
land, is the best governed city in the
world. This Is a broad assertion and
my friends head must be a magazine
to find this out II Glasgow has the
commission form of government it is
in keeping with the principles Of a
monarchy, and something we are try
ing to avoid and steer clear of.
Once more, something has been said
about the referendum. If we under
stand the meaning Of this term, II
means this: II an ordinance or law is
to be passed, 1t is first presented to the
people for acceptance or rejection
Now what are laws and statutes
Are they bulwarks against the will
of the people? Not at all. II they
meet the approval of the people they
become fixed principles; Il rejected
they remain on paper as dead letters
; Now the referendum is not so i'm
portant as one would imagine. But
how about the referendum when we
come to the appointing power. Are
the appointments made under the
commission form to be referred to the
people for approval? Not at all. Are
j the following offices to be subject t
; the will of the commissioners only:
/ Tax collector, city attorney, cleo
trician, marshal, comptroller, chiefs o.
the fire and water departments. street
superintendent, city physician and sc
, on. Why do the advocates Of thc
commission form hold fast to the APP
pointing power. We have an answer
plain and simple: 1t is to centralizt
the power into the hands of a elias:
who cannot, when once entrenched il
power, be so easily removed. OuI
friend is silent Upon the poppointins
, POWER The above positions are o.
vital interest to the people and they
should see to 1t that the commission
ers shall not say, in the event of theil
obtaining power who shall serve them
as wards and stewards.
,, The gentleman made some reference
/; to our age. It is true we are no
| young, but the old rooster in the barn
yard passes quietly by the young fell
/ low when he is beginning to crow, ant
does not interfere with his lordlJ
| pomposity until ne begins to inter
/ fere with his rights.
The citizen bears the same relation
| to his city and state as the mariner
! does to his ship. If storm ( is ap'
preaching signals are thrown GU
warning him of the impending danger
| If he ventures not upon the high seas
! If he is a wise man he will remain IL
, haven of safety, secure his shiI
/ firmly to her moorings until the storm
is over. saving his ship and crew