The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-11-06
IT WILL NOT STAND ANALYSIS

AT the meeting of the Marion
County Democratic Club Wednesday
night, resolutions were adopted,
praising the city council for its good
work during the year. The resolu-
tions were mostly moderately word
ed, and the praise they expressed
was deserved by the council. There
was, however, one allegation that
was uncalled for, and the Star
doesn't think it would have passed
if the club had taken time to think
over it and examine the evidence
The said allegation was as fol-
lows:
Whereas, The present city coun-
ell has carried out and fulfilled each
and every promise made and con-
tanned in the platform upon which
they were elected. in spite of oppo-
sition, criticism and calumny, inter
posed and heaped upon them by
those of their political opponents
whose motto seems to be, either
rule or ruin -
The Star doesn't suppose that the
Marion County Democratic Club de-
sires to deprive the citizens of Ocala
OF the privilege OF criticising their
officials, or opposing their plans,
either right or wrong. The said
privilege is constitutional, and the
Star thinks it will be exercised by
the members of the club about asl
often as by any other people in town.
AS a matter of fact there has
been no rule or ruin opposition ito
the council by political opponents,
as we shah proceed to show.
Last year the club endorsed
for Office Mayor Robertson and An
demnen Robinson, Smith, Fausett
and ToIar The white primary NOM
mated Mr. w j. Edwards for mayor
and for aldermen Messrs. Roess,
Knight, Seymour and Weihe.
Messrs Robertson, Roess, Knight, |
Robinson, Smith, Fausett and Tolar
were elected. AS soon as the votes
were counted, the town figured that
it had a very good bunch of alder
men and went on about its ordinary
affairs.
There was no opposition to any
thing the council did till the discus
sion started about shutting down the
electric plant and buying current. It
is understood that this move was
favored by Messrs. Roess, Hunter,
Robinson and Smith, one white pri-
mary and three club nominees. 1t
was opposed by Messrs. Knight,
Fausett and Tolar, one primary and
two club nominees. 1t was also OPP
posed by so per cent. of the people,
including many members of the
club
The next thing of Importance was
raising the valuation of city prop
erty The Star understands that the
council was practically an unit on
this proposition. The Star, which
favored the white primary candi-
dates in the election, supported the
measure, but many of those who
voted for the club nominees opposed
increased valuation-some of them,
as one alderman told the Star, con-
sidering it was done for personal
spite.
Then came UP the bond issue. A
majority of the council favored it.
One of them told the Star that per
Sonally he was against another
told the Star that he was against
certain features of it. Mr.. Roess, a
white primary nominee was leader
in the fight for bonds, and Messrs
Hunter, Smith and Robinson were
his enthusiastic supporters. 1t is
only necessary to go and look at tht
figures of the vote to see that {
great many citizens who voted witt
the club last December voted agains
street paving, a civic center and ;
municipal ice factory It's only nee
essary to look at the same figures t
be sure that those who lined u
with the club last year split on sew
erage.
AS for the vote on bonds for i'm
proving the electric plant, suibmitte
by an unanimous council, the Sta
Will bet any man a new hat that
can go around the business cente
any week day and find fifty me
xI2o voted against club candidate
Easr December who voted for electri
plant bonds last month.
The truth of the matter is thu
there is no rule or ruin" oppos
f1on to the city council. ALL Il
members are good citizens and we
thought of. Everybody that know