The Ocala evening star., 1915-03-18
CHANGES IN THE CHARTER

well as a good citizen. The Star op-
poses his pet scheme, and casts as
pensions on the purity of his motives,
and instead of going up in the air.
stopping his paper and threatening to
lick the editor, as many smaller men
might do, he comes around, passes
the time of day, swaps jokes and
gives US an ad. AS long as there are
plenty of such Americans in the coun-
try, we will get along somehow, even
il things do run to suit us only once
in q while.
However, we would be glad if Mr..
Camp could be newspaper writer for
a short time, so that when he had
written something as plainly as he
knew how, and somebody else read it,
and thought it meant something it
didn't say, he would know how it
feels.
Mr.. Camp came into the Star Office
Tuesday about noon and handed in the
following:
LII hIl SO1lOIldl III JSoGC1Acby AooOO
of the OcaIa Star, the editor of that
paper, Mr.. Benjamin, referred to my
proposed visit to Tallahassee, in the
interest of certain amendments to our
present city charter. / print below
the two proposed amendments and /
trust that the people will read them
carefully.
''If there is any objection to these
two amendments, / certainly hope that
those objecting will state their reas-
ons in a direct communication to our
two representatives, Mr.. w. T. Hen
derson, Lynne, Florida, and Mr.. w. j.
Crosby, Citra, Florida. Unless the
people of Ocala respond to this invi-
tation and state their objections, in
writing, to these gentlemen, | shall
simply take it as an indication that
the people of Ocala do not seriously
object to the amendments as propos-
ed.
"The Star editor claims to have
talked to at least one hundred people,
who have stated that they do not ap-
prove of these amendments. He
should get busy at once and furnish
this list Of citizens to our two repre-
sentatives. Unless he does do so 1
am satisfied that the representatives
will think he was joking.
"R. C. Camp"
The editor scanned this production,
and saw that Mr.. Camp was several
points off his course, but 11:30 is no
time for man on an afternoon paper
to argue or explain, so he took the
quickest way and turned the article
over to the linotype with short COM
ment of his own.
The Star did not say it had talked
with one hundred citizens who oppos-
ed Mr.. Camps amendments. Here is
what it said:
"But if Mr.. Camp goes into
politics, if he tries to thwart the will
Of his fellow citizens in the courts and
if he goes to Tallahassee to try to
have the city charter framed to suit
him, he needn't wonder if people make
comments; and why shouldn't the Star
express in print what it hears a hun
dred citizens say"
Quite different, isn't it?
The Star does not think there are
hundred, it hopes there are not a
dozen, citizens in Ocala who wish to
deny Mr.. Camp the privilege, or
rather the right, of taking share in
making any changes there may be
made in the city charter. But what
we meant to say, and what we did
say, was that when he takes a dis
proportionate share in trying to in
fiuence the city government, the courts
and the legislature, number of his
fellow citizens are going to disagree
with him, criticise him, and counteract
him if they can.
Isn't it the truth?
Now, while we are on the subject of
charters, let's discuss the changes
now contemplated-disc them not
as learned lawyers, who, like a rest
less man tumbling about on his bed,
can lie on one side about as well as
on the other, but from the standpoint
OF the ordinary citizen, who knows
little and cares less for technicalities.
but can form good opinion ON what
IS good for him and his neighbors.
To begin with, here are the amend
ments Mr.. Camp wants made in the
charter. The first paragraph says:
Notice is hereby given that apulica-
tion will be made to the legislature of
the state of Florida, at its next ses-
sion in April, 1915, for the passage of
an act authorizing the city of Ocala
to purchase from other party or par
ties, electric current Oh power for the
use of the said city, either for light
ing or manufacturing purposes, and
to distribute and sell the current so
purchased for lighting and manufac-
turing purposes.
Even the casual reader can see that
there is nothing in this amendment
for the people of 0cala. It is to be
passed, if it is passed, simply and
solely for the benefit of Mr.. Camp
that is for the benefit Of the Florida