The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1914-06-12
TRICE'S TRUMPETEER
ARTICLES Published under this Heading fur
nished by N. p. A. Bureau. jacksonville
PRIMARY LAw-eooD AND BAD

The Bryan Primary Law is by no
means pefect. 1t is hardly within the
scope of human effort to make a per-
feet law, until it has been tried out
and it's weak points shown by ex-
perience. But it is going to be mighty
hard to prove it hasn't sufficient re-
deeming traits to make it appeal TO
the people, after proper amendment.
It is very probable that nearly every
candidaet who was defeated will at
tribute that result to the Bryan pri-
mary law. and walk around with a
knife up his sleeve to emasculate
when the legislature assemblies. But
there is no getting around some prop
ositions. A gentleman who is disap-
pointed, but philosophical still, writes
me: There is no telling where luck
and a half broke steer are going to
run" Defeated candidates ought to
take this same cheerful view and
look at the law impartially. One
thing to be devoutly thankful for is
that we do not have a second pri-
mary within the next thirty days.
A review of the statements filed by
the various candidates also reveals
the fact that under the present pri-
mary law it is at last possible for
POOR man to run for office in Florida.
and retain his self respect and hon
greatly commends it. 1t is true that
there was less mud-slinging and acri-
mony in the primary just held than
any Florida has ever gone through
with. AS a result there are fewer
wounds to heal after the conflict, and
the number Of down and outs has not
been increased. The provision for
registration every two years is doubt
less an expensive luxury as well as a
useless waste of time and a great an
noyance for the average voter, and
will likely be given short shrift when
the legislative body assemblies, but it
is very likely that those who favor
fair expression of the voter at the
polls will be 10th to part with the
new law entirely.
Users of Tobacco, Take Notice
l don't know whether the annual
synod of the Reformed Presbyterian
Church of the United States and
Canada" in session this week at
Bloomington, Ind, represents the
good old Presbyterians l have known
all my life or not. The prefix to the
name, and some of the acts, indicate
to an outside that possibly the organ
ization is an assembly of smart Aiecks
who have detached themselves from
the parent body. | hope this Is SO,
for the observations and experiences
of many years have taught me the
profoundest respect and admiration
for Presbyterians, and l would be
genuinel ygrieved to see them swal-
lowed up by the latest vortex of folly,
which was thrashed out and discard
ed by Methodists and Baptists years
ago.
Lisen to this grandeloquent express
sion of superlative folly by the afore-
said synod "The use of tobacco is
an acquired, undesirable and SINFUL
habit and its effect is hurtful to the
body and mind" This being thel
conclusion of these wise men, they
have desired to take the Lords af-
fairs in their own hands. According
to the Associated Press report. "The
church now refuses to license a min
lister, elder or deacon, or to appoint
Sunday school pupil or teacher, who
uses tobacco, and it is proposed tol
bring the membership I'D to the same
standard" All this on the recon-
mendatiOn of the so-called temper
ance committee.
For long time l have been telling
my readers the prohibition idea would
not he content with prescribing what
men should drink Tyranny, under
Whatever guise it appears, recognizes
no limitations save an impregnable
wall of human intelligence, and its
boundless arrogance permits it to
make frequent assaults upon that
ad.