The Punta Gorda herald., 1920-03-25
DIVISIONISTS LINED
Up SOLIDLY TO WAGE
A WINNING FIGHT
Ants VIII be Clever if They Create
DiscOrd in Ranks of United
Divisionists.
ALMOST CERTAIN DIVISION
CANDIDATES WILL WIN
Big Majority Will Help Them in the
Legislature.

The fight to divide old DeSott
county and make of it four new Coun
ties was opeLed at Wauchula Wed
nesday Of last week, when delegate!
from Punta Gorda, Moore Haven, Sc
bring. Avon Park and WauChula me
to plan the campaign that is expect
ed to result in the creation of the
new counties.
An outstanding feature of the
meeting, which will carry with it nc
satisfaction to the anti-divisionists
of 'rcadia, was the complete har-
mony and determination to stick to-
gether shown by the delegates.
Various phases of the situation
that confront the divisionists we're
carefully considered and there were
but few differences of opinion.
When such differences occurred COM
promise was invariably reached and
when the meeting adjourned the COM
mittee was more solidly united and
determined to wage a winning fight
than ever before.
AS was related in this paper last
week, Ex-senator z. M. Cooper, of
Punta Gorda, was nominated by the
committee as the division candidate
for senator and it will be gratifying
to all divisioniGts to know that in
this selection they have a man who
does and always has stood for divis-
ion and that with the solid vote of
Manatee county his election is prac-
tically certain, no matter who the
anti-divisionists may bring out for
the Office. H. X. Still of Crewsville,
was nominated as the division can
didate for representative, and while
little known in this end of the COun-
ty, with the solid vote of Punta Cor
da and all other towns outside the
territory the divisionists have left to
"old DeSoto" his election is practic
ally certain even if a man is brought
out against him.
C. j. Carleton and A. G. Smith
Wauchula in the confer
ence; H. T. R. Reck Avon Park;
Chester Blount, Punta GOrda; |
Messrs. Mcdonald, Harben and Wor-
rell, Moore Haven; J. E. Graham,
T. V. Conway and P. A. Rahl, Sc
bring.
1t was decided that the next meet
ing should be held at Moore Haven,
and delegates from all parts of the
county met there yesterday to fur
her discuss plans for the campaign.
It is believed that if the people of
OeSotC county 2end to the legisla-
ure representatives elected on a di-
yision platform, thus giving indisput-
,ble Lroof that the majority of the
,eople of the territory effected want
he county divided, the legislature
,annot igore the demand for division
md for this reason an effort will be
made to induce every man who can
egally do so to qualify and vote, thus
diving the division candidates an {
overwhelming majority, which would
rive more strength to their represent
.tion than if elected by small mar {
lin.
The territory comprising the new ]
ounties would include the following
roups of towns: {
Wauchula, Bowling Green, Zolfo,
Buchanan, Fort Green, Fort Green
prings, Limestone, Crewsvil!e, Lily, I
'orrey, Ona and Bridges. s
Punta Gorda, Charlotte Harbor,
rove City, Acline and Gilchrist.
Arcadia. Brownville, Nocatee. Fort
,gden. Bunker, Owens, Pine Level, l
[ull and Fort Winder. C
Moore Haven and nearby settle 2
rents. \
sebring, Avon Park and DeSoto t
ity. e
Among the reasons for the organi- h
,tion's activities, as given by Mr.. a
arlton. president of the executive G
,mmittee, are the following, which a
re- recognized by home people but
,ay be of interest to the outsider
nfamiliar with the ins and outs OF
le situation: u
"The wonderful development OF c;
lr agricultural county, with its var Fl
a resources, warrants division. n
1T is also evident that decrease IN a
,e county's area is necessary for fc
,oper enforcement of the law, and fl
,rticularly in the matter of putting
, end to wire-cutting, attacks in the
,rk. and enforcement of the prohib- u
ion laws. III
"Division will give us FIVE times as b!
uch assistance in the matter OF sc
ghway building from the state and m
,ticnaI governments - and more al