The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-08-20
Given Credit Where
We Are Not Due It.

We Are Not Due It.
The Journal always is glad to see
Pensacola given credit for its pro-
gressiveness, for the city deserves all
the praise that can be bestowed upon
it, but recently it objected to the
Ocala Reporter-Star crediting Pensa-
cola with being the first city to call
an election for charter board. The
latter is provided for under the new
Farris law and the Reporter-Star said
Pensacola had prepared for such an
election. Replying to The Journals
denial the Reporter-Star says:
The Pensacola Journal Overs that
the Reporter Star was in error re-
garding the purpose of the Pensacola
commissioners to call an election to
establish a charter board in accord
ance with the provisions of the re-
Gently enacted Farris law.
The error was due to publication in
some other paper, but that of itself is
of little consequence. The result of
the error was simply to give Pensa-
cola credit for forward step which
it seems she has not taken, as wit
ness the following from The Journal:
editor Reese is eminently correct
in his last assertion that Tt is likely
Pensacola has discovered that her
commission charter is not as thorough
as It should be, but he is misinformed
on the matter of Pensacola taking
steps to call an election for charter
board. The Farris act was approved
by the governor on June 9TH and un-
der it's terms a charter board election
should be called within 90 days. AS
yet no action has been taken by the
city commissioners towards calling
such election, despite the fact that
about seventy of the ninety days have
passed. If the city commissioners
contemplate calling such an election
they are keeping this fact to them
selves, habit they have formed when
the matters at issue are Of import
ance to the public. Or it is possible
the aforesaid commissioners are hest
tating for fear the citizens have dis
covered that commission government,
as administered by the triumvirate
ruling city affairs, is not near the
ideal form of government it had been
pictured"
The commissioners of Pensacola, or
Orlando, should not fail to call such
an election because of the idea that
to do so would possibly jeopardize their
own positions or cast reflection upon
their administration. AS we view the
question it would be mighty patriotic
for these boards to call such elections
better government being the object
sought. The commissioners them
selves should best know what handi-
caps of charter limitations they labor
under. Why should the people be
forced to wait year or two for bene-
fits that they might have within a
few months? Do the commissioners
fear the people? They should not
The people are their employers. The
loyal and honest employee has No
cause to fear his employer
shouldn't have.
The Journal concerns in everything
The Reporter-Stsr says. The aim Of
the Farris law is to give cities thS
opportunity of Immediately correct
ing any faults contained in their char.
tiers, giving them better forms Of
government and instituting reforms
where they are needed. But this view
apparently is not taken by the city
commissioners of Pensacola. If ths
commissioners have any thoughts
other than those pertaining to theil
political futures, they have not beer
in evidence since they assumed of
flee.
The Reporter-Star further SAYS:
Commenting further on Tn,
Journals remarks, however, the Re
porter-Star begs to remind Tn,
Journal that If the commissioners d,
not call an election of their own mo
ton, the people may petition tn,
council to do so, and the council i
bound to act upon petition signe,
by sufficient percentage of tn
qualified voters.
The Journal is well aware that tn
citizens can force an election on tn
commissioners, but it is considerable
trouble to secure signatures to peti
tions. However, it is very likely, from
present prospects, that if a charte
board is ever elected in Pensacola i
win be I'M an election called by thi
method.