The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-10-07
UP TO THE VOTERS.

Several of the state papers opposed
to the Constitutional Amendment are
seeking to have. it appear that the
majority of the newspapers of the
state are opposed to bonding the
state for good roads. But this is not
borne out by a study of the state ex-
changes. The Jacksonville Metropo-
lis, one of the most progressive
newspapers in the state is not only
in favor of the amendment, but has
been staunchly advocating its pas
sage for several months. The fact
that the people of Jacksonville have
raised a fund of $4,000 to fight for
the amendment, would seem to in
dictate that there is a very strong
feeling in that city in favor of the
$40, 100000 bond issue.
The ST Augustine Record is a
staunch advocate for the amendment,
and has lent its columns to the fight
for funds for a great state highway
since the meeting held in that city at
which the campaign was launched.
The Jacksonville Observer, is putting
up strong fight for the amendment,
and is doing some effective work in
the campaign.
The Gainesville Daily News, The
Ocala Banner, the Manatee River
Journal, the Dade City Banner, the
Sebring White Way. the Punta Corr
da Herald, are all strong advocates
for the amendment.
Several of the newspapers of the
state are neutral. The Times Union,
Miami Herald and Tampa Tribune
are among those opposed.
Opposition never yet Worked harm
to any movement. On the contrary,
opposition invariably serves to bring
out the best ammunition of the adj
vocates of any cause. The good
roads advocates have too many rea-
sons for bonding the state for good
roads. to fear opposition, which can
do little more than crystalize senti-
ment in favor of the amendment.
But it is not left to the newspapers
TO settle these matters. The people
will decide the question at the polls.
The opposition started is fight
with the declaration that the main
advocates for the amendment were
from those sections of the state which
have not bonded for good roads, and
took particular pains to cast reflec-
tions on north and West Florida But
the fact that Duval county, which is
heavily bonded, and Escambia county,
which has just voted a bond issue of
two million dollars, have many advo-
Gates of the state amendment, goes
to show that north and West Florida
are willing to do their part to splace
the highways of the state in such
condition as will best further the in
terests OF the whole state.
Several of the newspapers of South
Florida have declared that north and
West Florida were not inclined to do
their share in building their own
roads. Escambia county has shown
an overwhelming desire to have good
roads and to do its part in paying for
these permanent highways, and at the
election in November this county
will go on record as favoring the Con-
stitutional Amendment, as will every
other county, the citizens of which
are farsighted enough to see that this
state can never reach its full meas
ure of success until we have com
pleted highway system which is
now so inadequate.
Recently The Journal published
some figures on the development of
Polk county, since bonding for per-
manent roads. and in an editorial in
the Punta Gorda Herald, the progress
of Polk county is also used to point
to the same moral. contrasted with
Sumter county which has little road
development. The Herald says:
Lets see what has happened in a
county that has built good roads and
one that has been content with sand
roads: Polk county has the best sys-
tenn of roads in Florida. Sumter
county. so far as we know, has not
one foot of hard surfaced road. Both
counties are blessed with wonderful
ly productive soil. varied somewhat,
OF course, as to adaptability. Between
1910 and 1920 Polk county gained
1853 in population, while during the
same period Sumter county gained
but 1,155. Polk is teeming with ac-
tivity. Every day a story of progress
and development comes from Polk,
and her people are happy and pros
porous. How often do YOU hear of