davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-05-20
WHY DIVIDE DE SOTO?
Taxes Lower in Small Counties Thar
in Larger Ones.

What would be the result if the
! present plan to divide DeSoto and
! make four new counties is carried to
completion? Would the new coun-
ties be able to take care Of them
selves? Would taxes be higher OF
/ lower in the new counties than in
, DeSoto as organized and mis-govern-
ed at present? Who are the people
who are fighting division? Why are
they fighting it? These are some of
the questions that are considered and
answered in the following article
which appeared in the last issue OF
the Avon Park Highlands Pilot,
under the caption, why we favor
cutting DeSoto into five smaller
countless"
First, it is the history of all sec
tons Of this and other states that
small counties develop more rapidly
than large ones.
Second, DeSoto county is amply
large enough to divide into five pros
porous counties, bringing the affairs
of each community closer home and
affording the opportunity to develop
the varied agricultural,
horticultural, stock raising and man
.ufacturing-more rapidly in the var
ious sections adapta bic for each
branch of industry.
Third, the entire taxable property
will be assessed in small counties,
where it is impossible for the tax
assessor TO get it ell in a county
covering such a vast amount of terri
tory as DeSoto. If you noted in the
tax assessors list of dates as pub
lished this year, you will remember
that in many localities he had bus
half a days time, while in the larger
place he could devote but from one
to three days. Do you Think it pos
sible for him to intelligently list aud
assess all the property in the varioUr
districts in that length of time? We
do not.
Fourth, it is claimed by the auti-
divisionists that the smaller counties
would increase taxation. Examine
your tax receipts and see if your
taxes have not been gradually mount
ing higher and higher every year
anyway. If it did cost us q little
more in the way Of taxation. we
would get the entire benefit Of the
added taxes. But we contend that
taxes would not be higher, as more
assessable property would be placed
on the tax bools, which would lower
the millage.
Fifth, if you will interview the tax
collector you will find that he is SO
overworked that it is impossible for
him to attend to the duties of the Of
fee in a satisfactory manner or close
his tax books on time. This is
condition that has obtained in this
large county for a number of years
and is not a reflection upon the abil-
ity Of the tax collector.
Sixth, the opportunities in small
counties for one man or set CT men
to dictate would be lessened. II is
a well-known fact that one or two
individuals at Arcadia have for years
been the representatives sent to Tai
lahassce fxom DeSoto county, The
men elected to that important poat-
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-05-20

! ion merely being their mouthpieces.
Seventh, the creation of four new
counties would give south Florida
greater representation in the legisla-
ture, thus enhancing the opportunity
| for legislation favorable to this
rapidiy-growing section of the state.
/ The auti-divisionists will tell you that
for this reason it would be imposs!-
bic to secure four new counties. If
iruch is the case, why are they work
| ing tooth and nail and resorting to
! falsehood and subterfuge to prevent
| the election Of division candidates?
Why do they not let the matter rest
and give us the laugh when we are
turned down by the legislature?
Eighth, you will hear the argu-
ment that we will have too many Of
ficers 10 pay and that the expense or
building court houses and jails
would be so great that these small
counties could not stand 1t. But let
us see as regards that statement.
In the first place, there is but orc
salariCd officer in the county. That
is the county uperintencent. The
other officers are working under the
fee system, which is making fat
jobs Far them that they naturally
dislike 10 relinqush. Not many
years ago on an assessed valuation
OF but $4,500,O0O Arcadia politicians
J
court house costing $4,000 and
"nevcv feel it," The assessed valu-
alton of the county in 1919 was $10,-
352, 900, and of this commissioner
district $1.86&,36O. II is safe to say
that not more than two-thirds of our
property was assessed at anywhere
near what 1t should have becn-rnot
The fault of the assessor, but or the
condition that obtained, rendering II
impossible for him to do Justice to
the work.
Eighth, take the proposed High
lands county, for instance. Our in
tei2sts are entirely different from
those of other sections OF the present
county. We have thousands and
thousands of acres of citrus groves
coming into bearing, which will
make this one Of the richest sections
of the state in taxable values.
Moore Haven has its trucking and
general farming industries, that can
easily support county. Wauchula
also has its trucking, citrus fruit and
general farming industries, creating
taxable values sufficient to maintain
its own county. Punta Gorda has
its fishing industries, trucking, stock
raising, etc which will care for
that county. Arcadia we know, is
able to care for herself. She admits
it,
Ninth, it is a well-knOwn fact, !
that those opposirg county division /
are the cattlemen, the a5stractors
aad the politicians. They have wax
cd rich out of the pickings of this |
vast county. But should we allow |
the welfare of the many to be ham |
pered in order to cater to and enrich |
the few? If it is not a personal mat
ter with the men mentioned. then
why are they SO bitterly opposed to
county division? Why did the anti
divisionists secretly endeavor to
enter iEto a pact with Wauchula to
divide the county east and west near
Gardner and allow Moore Haven
little shirt-tail full of townships and
get rid of her? The cattlemen, alb
and politicians wanted to
hold the remainder Of this vast ter
ritory for their own personal gain.
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-05-20
Practicinq aW.

The Yegg-Well. you got me. ali
right, mister. l s'poSe you're going tG
turn me over to the bu:,
The Eminent COunselor-Certainly
not In that case I'd get only witness
fee of a dollar. I'm going to be your
attorney. My retaining fee will be this
roI! of bills / found in your vest.
Good night.
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-05-20

Do VIC need county division? Start
at 80 a. III. by rail to Arcadia.
You get in all day ride and half the
night and land in Arcadia at II p.
m. If you had been travelling to
Jacksonville you would have COM
pleted your journey in one-half the
time it took you to get to your own
dear county seat. Yet those fellows
up there say we cannot have division
now as they are not quite ready so
let us so in peace. ArcGdians, do
you remember what happened to the
hosts of Pharaoh wLel he refused to
let the children OF Israel &C? Well,
the same thing will happen to you if
you harden your heart as he did.
There will be all kinds of fun and
some lice mixed together if you per-
sist in your devilment. Better take
warning.-MCore Haven Times.
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-05-20
SlW Reward. 500

Cstarrh is a local disease greatly infu.
enced by constitutional conditions. II
therefore requires constitutional treat
ment. HALLS CATARRH MEDICINE
Is taken internally and acts though the
Blood on the Mucous Surfaces Of the Sys.
TEN. HALLS CATARRH MEDICINE
destroys the foundation of the disease.
gives the patient strength by improving
the general health and assists nature In
doing its work. $1,000 for any case Of
Cathrrh that HALLS ChTARRH
MEDICINE fails to cure.
Druggists 75c. Testimonials free
V. J. Cheney q Co.. Toledo. Ohio.
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-05-20

cost $40 to go and come. Their
board bill was Sc. The loss of time
was three days at in average of SO
per day or 50. Add this UP and you
have each man to pay out SIS. De-
duct from this the $40 received
and the balance of $500 is what
each che was out On the trip. Yes,
we not only need it but we must have
division. Vote for it.-Moore Haven
Times.
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-05-20

Do we need county division? Ask
the nine witnesses who vert to Ar
Cadia last week to testify in court.
They each received one days pay
$500. They got mileage of $6.4O
each. making $40 paid them. 1t
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-05-20

FOR SALE-Eight acres OF fine truck
ing land, partly cleared; two story pack
ing house and about 500 good pinery
posts with shed. Titles perfect. Ad-
dress NICK RENSES, 851 W, Fayette
Street, Baltimore, Maryland 80
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-05-20

Rub-My Tism is great pain killer.
It relieves pain and soreness caused by
Rheumatism, Neuralgia, Sprains, etc.
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-05-20

FOR SALE-Established Dry Goods
business sales amounting to $4,000 to
$4,000 monthly, is offered for sale, owner
having other affairs demanding all of his
time. A fine opportunity for a good live
man with little Capital-excellent for
northern man desiring to locate in a less
rigorous climate. Address BON 81, Pun
Ia Gorda, Fla. Att.
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-05-20

Saw Grass" can make his plat
form anti-division, one division, two
divisions, three divisions or haiti a
dozen division, the fact will remain
that he was brought out and backed
by the anti-division crowd and they
did not bring him out for the up
building and development of the diff
ferent sections CT DeSoto county, but
for some selfish purpose. They pos
sibly many have fooled him, but we
do not believe he will be able to fool
many voters who believe in county
division, progress and real depelop-
ment. Wcuchu!G Advocate.
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-05-20
WANTED

WANTED--To trade a lot corner of
Charlotte avenue and Cochran street, for
SMITH, Box SO, Punta Gorda, Fla. 1S-4t
666 quickly relieves Colds and La
Grippe Constipation, Biliousness, Loss of
Appetite and Headaches.
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-05-20

SEE PAULINE COLEMAN for hair
work. 19-tf
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-05-20

Rub-My-Tism Is a powerful antisep-
tic; it kills the poison caused from in
fected cuts, cures old sores, letter, etc.
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-05-20

666 has proven it will cure Malaria
Chills and Fever, Bilious Fever Colds and
LaGrippe.
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-05-20

HEMSTITCHING-Pi edge. covered
buttons, braidng.-THE ELITE SHOP,
Is Arcade. Fort Myers. Fla. IT,
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-05-20
MISCELLANEOUS

FOR BEEF breed your pedigreed
Angus cows to Florida Lad, No. 3O2S61.
at Bairdville. Service free. No ticks or
scrubs admitted. 2t'
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-05-20

Last weeks Florida Advocate
stated that fourteen carloads of
truck were leaving that city daily
And yet Arcadia seems to think the
Wauchula territory too poor to sup
port q county Of its own. Divide the
county on the five-county plan and
Wauchula county will soon have
enough additional trucking land
under cultivation to double her
present shipments.-Highlands Pilot
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-05-20

It's perfectly natural fer those
Arcadia politicians to want to hold
on to the reins of county government.
With the amount of development
going on in all parts of the county,
it's quite natural they should want
to keep the bulk of the tax money
and also those fat fees the Office
holders are pocketing every year.
Highlands Pilot.
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-05-20

a third bank has been organized in
Punta Gorda, yet some people de-
clare that Punta Gorda is not pro-
crossing at all. The town must be
doing something or else there would
not be any call for a second bank.
Moore Haven Times.
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-05-20
CLASSIFIED

II" Advertisements inserted under this
head for cents per line each insertion,
six words counting a line
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-05-20

FOR SALE-Cow-pony. See Chas.
Cochran. 2O-tf.
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-05-20
LOST

LOST-An amethist-set pin; finder will
be rewarded for return to MRS A. F.
DEWEY. 19-tf
New-York tribune., 1920-05-16
The Mexican Turnover

The news from Mexico continues
to be highly agreeable. Carranza S
mischief making power seems ended.
The new regime starts off well.
Not only does it, according to the
habit of Mexican revoIutionists.
promise better things, but it does
them, which has not been a Mexican
habit. Neither Obregon nor Con
zales has established a dictatorship.
Instead the Mexican Congress is
called to meet on May "a to choose
a provisional President. Such con-
formity with law and recognition of
civilian supremacy is novelty.
Quite as encouraging is the news
that guards have been assigned to
provide for the protection of Ameri-
cans and ether foreigners. 1t actually
looks as if Mexicans, at last grow
ing tired of life in a madhouse, were
returning to civilization.
The outlook is better than at any
time for eight years. 1t is needless
to say that Americans will rejoice
almost as much as Mexicans if pres
ont hopes are realized. No sensible
wishes intervention for
is own sake. We want nothing
from our neighbor except good or
der, cessation Of murderous prac-
tees and a reasonable protection of
investments made in good faith. 1t
needs no argument that Mexico, if
she so wills, can provide these more
effectively than any outsider.
New-York tribune., 1920-05-16

tures, and the establishment of the ma
tional budget system On the Mexican
question 1t is perhaps worth specifying
that 33 planks were for American in
terventton, 23 against intervention and
for friendly aid, but 1875 for protection
Of United States citizens at any cost.
Perhaps tho weakest proposal in the
whole platform is in the plank purport-
ing to deal with the cost of living, which
favors "a thorough investigation of the
causes Of high prices" While investi-
cation may be necessary, the suggestion
of n~investigation de novo on a matter
that has been the subject of frequent
and prolonged investigation. and con-
slant popular inquiry for many months
past, and upon which volumes, some of
them official, have already been written,
would be almost more than a long-suf-
fering public would be likely to endure
with patience. If any real party plat
form takes up the subject of the cost of
living, which all of them should, it ought
to emphasize something in the nature of
corrective action rather than pro-
longation of an already overattenuated
inquiry.
New-York tribune., 1920-05-16
The Plungers Of Budapest

In Hungary the mad militarists of
the Horthy Friedrich clique continue
to rattle the steel of their sabers
against the flint of Allied inaction.
The sparks may soon fall into the
powder magazine into which peace"
has transformed the Danubian lands
Whatever the power of the Magyar
restorationists for evil, a will to
start a row is clearly with them
The issue for the new states liber-
ated from the Hapsburg yoke as we'll
as for Europe at large is not whether
the Hungarian imperialists will win
their war but whether they will
start it.
For some time in Hungary mobili-
zation has been going on in secret.
1t is now advertised in Budapest
papers, which say that the "menac,
ing attitude" of the Czechs, Serbs
and Rumanians "necessitates pre-
ventive measures" In fact, the at
titude Of the three nations, far from
being menacing, has been and is
one Of surprising patience. Mag
var irredentist agitation, openly fos-
tered from Budapest, is rampant in
Slovakia and in Pennsylvania, as
well as in the areas occdpied by the
Serbs.
The fury Of the warlike Magyar
gentry is whetted by the growing in
clination of the Magyar workers in
the occupied areas to acquiesce in
the rule of Prague, Belgrade, and
even Bucharest. In Slovakia Magyar
and German Social Democrats and
trade unionists have formally de-
clared their preference for the civil
lied and democratic Czecho- -Slovak
regime as against the militaristic
terror maintained by the Horthy
government. Hungarian refugees
from Pennsylvania have voluntarily
returned to their homes and rem
dered the oath Of allegiance to Ru-
mania after witnessing the ravages
of the Horthy terrorists in Magyar
land proper.
On May IS the pRod granted to
hungary to sign The Treaty Of
New-York tribune., 1920-05-16
A Week of Verse.
Joy
{ (From To-Dd4o

tFrons ro-Doyo -
MOON-YELLOW and stupidly regu
lar, there, beyond the flare Of thI
footlights,
Row upon row applauding. the gaSin.
crowd Of beholdcrs,
Stirred to single emotion, moved b,
mimic passion.
And L:
Mimic no longer, excited, accepting
exultant;
Parched and dry-throated. perspix1At
under the grease paint,
Center and apex Of all things: ssl
moment triumphant.
That; and the hour Of the stars, whei
I stood beneath them and, watch
ing,
Saw the whole heaven swing over
world upon world in the blue.
ness:
Single and poignant fires or clustere;
celestial fruitage
Hung on the boughs of the night
remote, beyond reaching.
And I:
Crouching beneath it, finite and abject
forgotten;
Grain Of its infinite dust, faint note oi
its music eternal,
Least and most feeting of all things;
one moment envisioned.
HORACE SHIPP.
New-York tribune., 1920-05-16
Platform by Plebiscise
From The Columbia, s. c.. Sta

The New York Tribune has finally
completed its very interesting expert
ment, which was suggested by the
chairman Of the Republican National
Committee. in having platform made
by the voters.
The usual thing, of course, is to have
this piece of ornamental carpentry
knocked together by the political
bosses. But young Mr.. Hays" thought
he saw "vision." He seemed to see
that if the plain people-thc people that
are so; plain that God made lot Of
them just out of love, in the mild phi
losophy Of Lincoln--could be induced to
build the platform for themselves, or,
which is the same thing in psychological
politics, could be persuaded to think
that they had built the platform. thew
would be all the more willing to trust
themselves to stand on it for the pur-
poses of the campaign.
So the great experiment was tried.
The straw ballot method has resulted
in the making of a platform of ten
selected planks out of the views and
votes Of some 1921 electors and others
out Of the millions and millions of real
voters in the nation. The result could
hardly be described as representative;
but there it is, for what it is worth, and
The Tribune is making a great to-do
over it, as if it were worth a great deal.
indeed.
A reading of the report in The Trib-
une of how the platform was manufac-
tured by its scattered artifcers is not
only pleasant diversion, but an in
structive. 1t is, also, suggestive Of a
number of things and thoughts.
Only a tenth part of the small num-
Der Of plank bearers, or some 719 out
of the 1891, agreed on the first plank,
capital and labor We have already
noted that The Tribuncs platform
builders spell these two fateful words
with capital c and L, which is, accord
ing to President Butler of Columbia.
absolutely fatal to our present liberty
and all free institutions. This plank.
as written by W. R. Fisher, of Prince
ton, N. J.-some magic, perhaps, in the
place name-is as follows:
Eve recognize rs indisputable the
right of labor to organize and to bar
gain collectively, but not to strike when
such, action violates the law or men
aces public welfare. To protect the ma
tion as whole from injury by contro-
yersies which concern directly only a
New-York tribune., 1920-05-16
A Distressing Case
TO the Editor of The Tribune.

TO the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: 1t Is sad to see how the anti
suffrage movement is bringing dscord
into the home and breeding antagonism
between the sexes
AS an example Of the sort Of stu
alton that anti-suffragism is develop
ing in some of our best families let
me bring to the attention Of your read
ers the following distressing case: The
husband is looking to the Republican
party of his state to reelect him next
fall to a Federal office, and needing
the support of the women voters he
assures them in propitiatory manner
that since his own state ratified the
suffrage amendment he 'hss not lifted
a finger against woman suffrage; he
even writes to several officers of the
League Of Women Voters Of New York
City (formerly the Woman Suffrage
party) begging for their help in
circulating his nominating petition,
and asking them for advice az
to his campaign. Meanwhile his
wife and helpmate writes to the
Women Voters Anti-Suffrage party
declaring that she is with them heart
and soul" in their fight against woman
suffrage, and actually serves as presi-
dent of the company publishing
weekly dedicated to the defense of
womanhood, motherhood, the family
and the state against suffragism":
weekly now devoted also to the de-
fense of states rights against "a GEN.
tralized Federal despotsm" (Which
threatens to force the franchise upon
the women of our country)-devoted
in other words, to the defense of the
stronghold Of her husbands political
enemy, the Democratic party.
To such pass has the anti-suffrage
movement brought a model wife!
Heaven defend our womanhood and
motherhood agaspst anti-suFragism!
ELEANOR DWIGHT JONES
New York, May 8, 1920.
New-York tribune., 1920-05-16
4 Prize Platform,
(From The Wichita Eaole

(From The Wichita Eagle)
The New York Tribune's prize plat
form for the Republican party contains
some excellent planks. The fourteen
planks that make up the platform were
selected by The Tribunes judges from
more than 1000 planks that were
submitted in prize contest conducted
by The Tribune.
1t is grave mistake to conclude that
this platform represents the views of
the average citizen, the average intelli-
gent person interested in politics, the
Republican average or anybody else who
is in any sense average. The platform
is product Of close selection by a
group Of judges who we assume are In
harmony with the views usually ex-
pressed in The Tribune.
1t is notable that five Of the fourteen
planks were contributed by residents of
greater New York. Nine are by resi-
dents of New York State Two are by
residents of states that are New York's
lliiliculdIt nSlSIlUOIS anu only CNrce OF
the fourteen planks come from west of
the Mississippi River. Thus, the plat
form errs in its very evident sectional
bias. Brains, Americanism and Repub-
licanism do exist in considerable quan-
titles a surprising distance from Park
Row.
One of the excellent planks is that on
Americanization, written by resident
of Portland, Oregon. 1t advocates
schooling Of the immigrant at public
expense before granting citizenship.
One of the most Objectionable planks,
written by resident of New York
State, amounts to advocacy of war at
any cost with Mexico 1t Is a plank
upon which no, candidate but General
Wood could stand without very grave
danger Of slipping.