The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-02-28
THE SPECIAL ELECTION

l. TIE SFEOlAL ELEO 11ON
Farmers and stock raisers of the county
are exercised over the serious blow to de-
velopment, which would result from dis
continuance of the tick eradication cam
paign. Farmers aud business men have
contributed time and money in making
possible the installation of dipping watts and
the work is now just at the point where it
can be of real value, and where its discon-
tinuance would work extreme hardship on
this part of the state.
While other counties in Florida are
bending every effort to eradicate the tick
and to improve conditions, in order that
this state may take it's rightful place in
the raising of live stock, Escambia after
having devoted time, money and energy in
preliminary work, seems about to hide it's
head in the sand, like an ostrich, and let
the other counties of the state march by to
success
This is no time for s1ackers in any kind
OF work. Unless cattle dipping is made
compulsory in this county, there is no prob
ability of Escambia becoming one with
those progressive counties which are max
ing such excellent Roadway in stock rails
ing and agriculture. Many farmers who
would come to this section and settle, thus
aiding in the development of the state are
withheld through the fact that they have
no assurance of county cooperation in
teir plans for the raising of live stock
The United States government is calling
upon the people of the south to do their
part in raising food not only for their own
but to meet the needs of other sections as
well. The day will come, indeed seems
not far distant when it will be impossible
for Florida to look to the Estates farther
north and east to supply them with dairy
supplies Oh with beef, pork and other prod
ucts. Unless Escambia county looks to
her own interests and makes some effort
to conserve what she already has, and to
increase the live stock of this county, the
day is not far distant when she will have
to look to her sister counties of Florida to
furnish these products, which she. should
raise herself
This is no time to let obstacles stand in
the way of the tick eradication campaign.
If ever it had value, that value has in
creased during the past twelve months
hundredfold. A question which might
have been debatable at one time, has now
become vital issue If the election which
decides as to compulsory dipping is de
layed until November, the probability is
that year or more would elapse before
quarantine could be lifted. On the other
hand should the election take place at
once, Escambia could be declared tick free
before the end of this year and could go
forward to take its rightful place with
other sections of the state.
Both state and federal authorities are
very DESTROYS of continuing the work that
has been started here, but without the full
cooperation of the county authorities,
little be accomplished and their ener-
gies must be devoted to a section where re-
suits can be obtained
The petition for a special election has
been rejected by the county commissioners,
presumably because the county attorney
found a technical flaw in the law. The at
torney general of the state says the law is
ample and it seems there is no legal reason
why the election should not be held. The
matter will again come before the board at
its next meeting and its disposition will go
a long way toward determining the future
development of Escambia county.
If man is going to commit crime the