The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-02-05

SUPPORTING COUNTY DIVISION
Andrew Carter Publisher Of the Arcadia Enterprise Formerly Op-
posed to Dividing Up DeSoto County, Now Gives Some
Good Reasons for Favoring Present Division Plan

In campaigns past this paper has
opposed county divisions upon
grounds whicA we considered reason
able and just at that time. Until the
some grounds Of reason aid justice
and for the best interests Of all sec
.tions of DeSoto county, we Chall no
longer oppose the division of the
county, but shall advocate division
along the lines proposed by the joint
committees selected by tie four cor
ners of the county.
We have taken this position delib-
erately, after a careful consideration
of the subject, and knowing that
some of our friends will not agree
with us, and that our enemies will
sieze upon it as an opportunity to
give us Sherman's definition of war.
To us it is always a matter of regret
when our own views are at variance
with those of friend, but we feel to-
ward our unfriendly critics as Van
derbilt felt toward the public.
We have reasons which, to our
mind, are coed and sufficient to just
ify our attitude on this subject and
we ask all who are interested to con-
slider these reasons with an open
mind. If we are right, stand with us
and by us. If we are wrong we ac-
cept the consequences without falter-
We take the position tlat when De
Soto county is divided tie people
should and will have a finger in the
pie. County division Gaould not be
made a matter of private GiCkering
with members of the Legislature who
have no interest in the matter,
neither should il be a matter to bar
ter ard trade for political advantage.
The people interested will rot kneel
at the feet of some woulG-be boss and
accept whatever le thinks
best to hand them, but they will walk
up like full-fiedged men ald demand
of the Legislature, through their rep
resentative, what they are entitled to
have.
To this end the people of the four
corners Of DeSoto county have organ
lied and selected committees to rep
resent them in a fight for four new
counties to be created from parts of
DeSotO. Lee end Palm Beach coun-
ties, giving Moore Haven, Punta Cor
da and Waucnula each a county seat
and leaving Sebring and Avon Park
to fight it out between themselves
for the other. The map showing the
exact boundaries Of the lew counties,
to be published later, will leave Ar
cadia county as large and as rich as
the average county OF the state, with
her handsome court house and sub
5tantial Jail already erected and paid
for.
Let US consider this division plan
rom the standpoint of the best inter
ests Of each locality. If we find 1t
yest for all concerned, it were folly
not to endorse it aad help put it over.
Take each case separately, beginning
With
MOORE HAVEN
Here is a town and community, |
with a vast farming industry, less
han four years old. Being surroun-
led with the rich muck lands of the |
Everglades, its growth and develope-
nent has been marvellous. It's hotels
TX in number cannot Accommodate the |
people and large number Of its pop |
llaticn are living in tents and tenn
,orary sharks until better homes can |
,e constructed. The town has it's |
'wn water and light system. has all
IS important streets paved and a sys
EN- of hard-3urfaced roads are now |
lnder construction leading out in
our directions. Lands in that local
ty now valued on the tax books at |
rom $3.50 to $1,000 per acre, are
low selling at from 10000 to
$4,000 per acre. With its vast
esources of wealth this section is
imply able to support county gov
of its own. 1t is badly in
iced of a county seat because it is
90 miles by rail and SIS miles by
irk. jostle and jolt to the present
ounty capital The statutory fees
or witnesses and jury service will
lot pay half the expense of attend
ng court from Moore Haven. We
axe it that no further argument for
county seat is necessary on Moore
Iaven's behalf.
SEBRING-AVONP PARK