The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-05-03
WILL THE CAPITAL
COME THIS WAY?

For the second time since Florida
was a state, her people are engaged
in capital removal campaign.
The first campaign was in 1900. 1t
was primary, ordered by the demo-
cratic state convention. Ocala was
the logical and leading candidate, and
the convention doubtless intended the
capital to be removed to this city. AS
soon as the campaign opened, half d
dozen candidates crowded in. Of
course they had their right. But they
gave Tallahassee the same advantage
that Cats four opponents gave him
sixteen years later, and when the
smoke cleared Tallahassee remained
is well-supported possession.
1t is not likely that Tallahassee was
in any danger. For one thing, the prl-
mary had no legal standing before the
legislature, and it is by no means GER
tain that if the primary had voted for
some other town that the legislature
would have paid any attention to it.
West Florida was stronger in the leg
islature then than now. Another thing
to consider is that so much bitter
luminosity was stirred up between the
other contestants that even if the
amendment had been ordered, enough
South Florida people would have vot-
ed against the nominee to have ensur-
ed its defeat.
We should take the lessons of 1900
into consideration in these days. 0cala
has. Ocala will not fight any town
for the capital. Ocala wants the cap
ital, of course, but first she wants the
capital removed to a point more con-
xenient to the entire state, and for no
reason whatever will she do anything
underhanded or calculated to cause
bitter feeling.
Let US review the situation as it
has developed up to date. Ocala and
Orlando are the avowed candidates
for the capital, and several other
towns are showing disposition to en-
ter the race. None of these towns are
as accessible to the whole state as
Ocala or Orlando, but all are more so
than Tallahassee. At any rate
there would be no justice in keeping
any of them out, even if it were pos
sible to do so.
There are two things to do in order
to move the capital. One is for the
legislature to submit an amendment
to the people. asking if it is their will
that it shall be moved. The second is
to decide what place it shall be moved
20.
It is the Stars opinion that the only
chance of moving the capital is for
the legislature to pick new location
and name it in the same amendment
that calls for capital removal. The
Star is against primary or anything
that will bring on a conflict. An
other reason why it would rather leave
it to the legislature is that the action
of that body will be legal and binding.
1t requires sixty per cent of each
house of the legislature to call for an
amendment. Well-posted men who
have studied the matter over carefully
declare that sixty per cent vote for
capital removal can't be obtained from
this legislature, nor any other until
there is new apportionment. They
point out that from Suwanee county,
inclusive, west, the state is solid for
Tallahassee, and on the face of the
returns their opinion is correct.
The hopeful delegations now at Tai
lahassee do not seem to be of this
opinion. They think they can make a
break in the phalanx, and they maye
be right.
IL they are, and the legislature can
be induced to submit the matter to
the people. let the legislature also de-
eide which city shall be the candidate
against Tallahassee. Ocala will abide
by such a decision, and what Ocala
can afford to do all the other towns
can do also.