The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1915-05-27
ANOTHER ANIMAL IN

THE LIONS SKIN
1t is the opinion of most people
who READ the articles, "a Big Mis-
take" and "Why Afraid of the Peo-
pie" in Wednesday mornings Ban
ner, that they were not written by
the venerable and honored editor of
that paper. For one thing, they are
not in his literary style, which is rec
ognized all over the state as classic
for another, they contain allega-
tions and insinuations against his
fellow citizens that are at variance
with what his friends believe of his
disposition.
If we believed Mr.. Harris wrote
the said articles, we should not try
to reply to them, for we should not
like to say anything that would
wound or offend him. But the gen
tleman whom we, and others, suspect
of the authorship has no more right
to have feelings in newspaper con-
troversy than we have, and we never
expect any consideration on that
score.
The said articles bear the ear
marks of gentleman who is person
ally interested in the success of the
Florida Power Company in its at
tempt to capture the electric business
of Ocala. He argues, not like a jour
nalist, whose duty it is to consider
all sides and obtain the truth, but
like an attorney, who is expected to
try to influence jury in favor of his
client and prejudice it against his OPP
ponent. At present he is trying to
prejudice the people of Ocala against
the city council, simply because a
majority of it is following the instruc-
tions of the people which in the bond
elections of Oct. 81 and % and the
city election of December were
against him and his faction.
This gentleman makes a whole
stack of insinuatiops about certain
matters that he darkly hints at, but
does not name. Why doesn't he tell
what and who is the certain monop-
oily" that is fighting the entrance of
Ocala." Why doesn't he tell who are
the private interests intrenched
here who have fought against inter
ference with their little private
monopolies"?
When the Star is afraid to say
anything right out in meeting, it
keeps quiet. 1t makes mistakes
sometimes. 1t never makes insinua-
tions.
We will ask this gentleman to ex-
plain certain things that he has not
yet touched on. He can answer thru
the Banner, if Mr.. Harris will con-
tinue to let him hide behind his
name, or in the Star, over his own
name, or over nom de plume, if he
prefers. He might as well use his
own name-most people know him.
Why is the Florida Power Com
pany, which two years ago said all
its current was engaged and it didn't
want any Ocala business, now moving
heaven and earth to get into the
city?
Why shouldn't Mr.. Camp do like
any other citizen-make a business
proposition to the council and to the
people, and if they refuse, go his way
and let them alone, instead of trying
to break their elections down in the
courts and have the legislature make
amendments to their charter which he
has no right to assume that the peo-
pie want?
If the electric business of Ocala is
worth all the trouble and expense
now being put forth to take it from
the people, isn't it worth while fol
the people-to keep it?
We have other questions, but these
are enough for our esteemed friend ii
the lions skin to answer at one time