The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1920-05-14
Mr.. BLOWERS ANSWER


Editor Star: Replying to the ar
ticle, "Questions for a Candidate"
appearing in last evenings Star,
wish to say in the first place. Mr.. |
Editor, it seems it is only fair to me
that you give the name of the author. !
With the exception of possibly the |
first paragraph, / do not believe it is
the product of your pen. At least, it
is lacking in the good form you usu-
ally use, by which your readers can
readily recognize your writing. Why
make the question personal? Why not
ask all legislative candidates the same
question?
Now, regarding the proposed
amendment and the questions you
ask. am of the opinion that the Ian
guage used means not to exceed five
per cent. of the total assessed valua-
ton at time of issue; that is, should
the amendment carry. bond issue
could be provided for by the next
legislature not to exceed five per cent.
of the assessed valuation, according
to the tax books of 1920, and at no
time can the total bonded indebted
ness for road improvement be more
than five per cent. of the assessed
valuation.
The last legislature has put it up to
| the people to accept or reject the pro-
posed amendment, and I believe that
voters of the state will decide the
question as they think is for the best
interest of all people concerned. But
this question is to be decided six
months after you select the members
of the next legislature, and the voters
of the state should keep in mind the
possibility of the amendment carry
ing, and should choose legislators that
they feel sure will safeguard the in
terests of the taxpayers. Should | be
chosen, | will oppose any bill for
bonding the state that will increase
the present tax rate.
| Regarding the resolution adopted
by the automobile association, it was
published in a number of state pap
ers that this resolution would come
up for consideration. You knew it
would and you are member just as
much as I am. Why were you not
there to make a vigorous speech
Why did you not oppose it in your
paper? Why did you not vote against
it? On account of the absence of the
president / was in the chair when the
resolution was presented by one OF
Ocala's citizens. and it was seconded
: by another. | put the question anC
asked for discussion. felt that the
question should be discussed before g
vote was taken and so stated. There
being no discussion, I was asked tt
put the question to vote, which
did. There was only one vote agains
it. I think you know chairman doe:
not vote, except to decide tie vote
; so I did not vote.
. No-Fence Law
know it has been rumored that
was no-fence man. was asked thi
v question and stated that where
3 came from they had a no-fence> Law
and it was considered good thing.
e have further stated that I do no
a think it was matter for the legis
d lature to decide. It should be put t.
{ vote of the people, as local optiol
law, so it can be voted for in local.
S ties where they want it. have gen
C on record on this question two week
ago at the automobile association con
e veGtion. There were number of tel
q egrams and letters sent to the secre
s tary urging the association to recon-
=, mend to the next legislature the pass
IS ing OF no-fence law. | learned hi
2. and went before the committee o
e resolutions and learned that ther
II was such a resolution before it.
IS urged the members not to report fay
IL Orably on the resolution. My sue
gestion was accepted and the resoh
ton was not adopted. | am oppose
to the legislature passing no-fepC
law.
- | am democrat and good den
? ocrat favors referring matters of sue
:, Importance to the vote of the people
- Speaking of being a democrat,
!, have heard rumors that / was a r
! publican. If you think there is an,
thing in the in the rumor and want I
~ inform the people, just write tt
chairman, A. G.. Patterson, of I'll
a Deli equity uSEIOCrdlIC CoHlInltGG
- Pineville, KY, where / lived befol
- coming here. and ask him what w;
- there in that strongest republics
- district in the nation.
~ Now, since you are evidently ii
- power behind the throne" for son
- OF the other candidates, / should iii
- to know how they stand on certa
!, moral issues that will come before Il
- next legislature. For instance. Il
= liquor question which is taking up
much time in some of our states, Al
- the Sunday baseball and Sunday tn
- alter questions; the convict labor la
- and other moral issues that will con
- UP from time to time.
II l will oppose any local legislati
40 that will affect Marion county or al
y municipality therein, without fiji
getting an expression from the Pc
q pie as to how they stand. I hope
!; am big and broad enough to vote :
A the laws the people want, even tt
| myself do not favor them.
Il | wish to thank the Star for t
- free space given me to express m
=. self regarding these matters, and
~ trust that / have made myself Gle