The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1920-04-02
Gave a Good Talk on Education and
AgricuIture-Was Greeted With
a Zig Audience-The Ladies
Spread Big Dinner

Senator Duncan u. Fletcher made
his first speech in Florida for a num-
Der Of years at Fellowship last Friday
morning Ocala sent out a large dele
cation, a number were in attendance
from Dunnellon, Bitchton, Fairfield,
Wacahoota and intervening neighbor
hoods. The senator was introduced
by Mr.. G. G. Chapman, new land
proprietor from Illinois, who seemed
familiar with the senator's record and
was enthusiastic in his praise.
Before the speaking, the Fellow
ship public school, under the direc.
ton of Prof. Richard Erwin, held its
closing exercises, and in his introduc.
tory Senator Fletcher directed his re-
marks principally to the children.
When boy, he said, he walked four
vs. country log school, the term
Of which lasted four months.
Possessing a fund of educational
statistics he spoAe entErtaingly of
school matters, the insufficient pay of
teachers as compared with pay of less
useful occupations. He said that it
was the proud boast of Georgia, his
native state, to have incorporated in
her laws the first public school sys
TEN, that the first university in the
United States was founded in Virgin
ia, and the first female college in Ma
con, Ga. He was glad the educational
acii'ties were ntw SO much greater
and hoped that the boys and the girls
Of today would be inspired to make
the most Ct thsir enlarged opportuni
ties.
From education, he turned to agri-
culture, the next most important mat
ter that should enlist the attention
Of our lawmakers. It was patent that
the farmer was not reaping the full
reward of his toll. At hotels and res
taurants the consumer was charged
20 cents for half grapefruit, while
the grower, after a years patient toll,
received less than one fourth of that
amount. Just as fast as possible these
glaring inequalities are being correcp
ed He enlarged on the greater work
of the agricultural department and
the immense help it was giving the
farmers. He mentioned its stamping
out the citrus canker and was taking
ur the "Trip on the canphor trees, a
new coming profitable industry of our
state. How it was considering the
matter of distribution and the efforts
made to stamp out the boil weevil and
the help it was giving the farmers
through the intelligent direction of
the county demonstration agents.
The senator's principal theme was
the farm loan banks and the immense
benefits they were to the farmers
throughout the country. He told OF
the character of the loan and the
amount of the loans already made TO
Florida farmers while yet the system
is merely in its infancy.
He was proud to be the author Of
this system which was really revolu-
tionizing the farming industry
throughout the United States. He
pointed beautiful picture OF Florida's
future and paid eloquent tribute to
our form Of government
He dwelt in no ad captandum or
hcra bast of any description.
His was plain, practical, sincere
talk, and was received in the spirit
in which it was delivered.
At no time did he allude to his op-
ponent nor did he refer to his own
candidacy as he had accepted an in
Vitation to speak to farmers on mat
tiers pertaining to the farming in
dustry.
It will be remembered that Senator
Thammell made his opening speech at
Fellowship and was elected and Sen
ator Fletcher's friends are in hopes
that the name Of Fellowship will have
a talismanic influence in his race for
reelection,
After the speaking the splendid
women of that excellent community
i = s3;,,,,ar tl,af oo-vo ~, os,;s7o,,co
of the scarcely Of food products nor
any parsimony on account Of the h. c.
of !.
The long tables with their excellent
appointments rejoiced in everything
that appealed to ones appetite and it's
rapid disappearance showed how well
1t was appreciated. but there was an
abundance and to spare meats IL
many forms, chicken ii every style.