The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1914-10-16
THAT 5UNcH"--MEANlNG The
CITY COUNCIL

This paper, being sincerely in favor
of the bond issue, is endeavorilS To
answer as best 1t can all the argu-
ments it hears raised in opposition
to the measure.
The most frequent, the least meri-
torious and palpably the most unjust,
is the harsh and blatant criticism,
from irresponsible sources, of the
gentlemen constituting the member
ship of the city council
AS the sovereignty of the people
is the boast in this free country Of
ours, all public bodies are objects OF
criticism, and in the exercise of this
right we have nc criticism to make.
because this privilege is more or less
INDUCED in. Sometimes we indulge
in il ourselves. Sometimes it is right
and proper to do so, and is product
i've of good results. Sometimes 1t is
purely gratuitous and harmful, and
helps in defeating meritorious legis-
lation. Sometimes that criticism
arises entirely from ignorance, but,
unfortunately, too often from pure
malevolence.
The present city council of Ocala,
we feel, has received more than it's
share of unfavorable criticism. How
much of this criticism is the out
growth of ignorance, and how much
springs from pure malevolence, we
shall not undertake to say.
It is we'll to remember that the city
council serves without pay. That its
labors are entirely gratuitous, and
whatever else may be charged against
the present city council it cannot be
truthfully charged that it has been
Indifferent to its duties.
To say that its work has been pro-
digious would not be using too strong
an adjective.
Some of the reports on file are
most exhaustive, and show an i'm
mense amount of labor and business
capacity.
Time and time again it has been
found working long after the mid
night hour. 1t may have made mis-
takes. What it has done may not
meet the sanction of a majority of
citizens, as none of us are too willing
to bear the burdens of government,
but we do not believe that there has
ever been body that has labored
more conscientiously or more dill
gently in the performance of what it
conceived to be it's duties.
We have heard a number say that
they favored a bond issue and would
vote for it, but were unwilling to trust
that bunch"-meaning the city coun-
cil-with the sale and manipulation of
so large, or even a smaller bond is
sue.
So, therefore, we shall take the lib
erty of making careful examination
and criticism of the personnel of it's
membership.
Mr.. G. w. Hunter, it's president, is
the manager of the Ocala gas plant.
This plant is owned principally by
Mr.. Richard s. Hall, who is every
where regarded as being sagacious
and astute business man. He seems
intuitively to possess knowledge of
ones capacity for business, and is
rarely deceived. If those whom he
employs show fitness, and measure
up to the responsibility intrusted to
them, they are retained; If not, they
are summarily dismissed.
Mr.. Hunter has fully measured up
to the responsibility reposed in him.
When he assumed charge as manager
of this industry, it's monthly pay roll
was only fifty-five dollars. Under
MI. hunters management IL mas
grown to be more than one hundred
and fifty dollars per week.
AS one fit to manage business af-
fairs that speaks for itself.
Besides being manager of the
Ocala Gas Company Mr.. Hunter has
been manager of the Ocala baseball
team, and has been singularly sue
! in giving our citizens splendid enter
tainment from week to week in this
line of amusement.
Mr.. Hunter owns home, and if the
records are searched it will be found
that in raising the assessment valua-
tons no partially was shown to him.