The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-03-31
The Pensacola Journal:

The Pensacola Journal:
am accepting your invitation for
citizens to give views on annexing Yves
Florida to Alabama.
Now, geographically, this section be-
longs there, and, commercially, in a
few years time Pensacola would be a
large and prosperous city if the change
takes place. Alabama would have in
Pensacola harbor a real port, which she
would utilize to the fullest capacity
for her iron, coal and other exports.
land also imports.
We would benefit thereby.
Sentimentally, 1 appreciate the views
of those who cling to the name Of
Florida, but otherwise the best inter-
ests of this part of the state lie with
annexation.
Why not put it to a vote Of the coun-
ties concerned. If foreign provinces may
and do vote as to which country they
may belong, we might also vote as
counties as to the state to govern, us.
Respectfully,
MINNIE WOLFE RUTHERFORD.
Editor journal:
You can fool all the people some
of the time, and some of the people
all the time, but you can fool all the
people, all the time.
Six years ago, Pensacola was grant
ed a charter for q commission form Of
government, with this provision that,
if, after six years, the people were dis
satisfied, and wished to return to an
aldermanic government that on pre-
senting a petition, duly signed by 20
per cent, or more, of the qualified vot-
ers of the city, the commissioners were
to call a special election that the peo-
pie might vote on this question. After
six years of commission government,
the people were dissatisfied, a petition
for a change to the old fOrn-the char
ter providing for no other change-was
circulated,and signed by more than 20
per cent of the qualified voters and
certified before the clerk of the court
as other petitions had been in the past.
This petition was then handed to the
city commissioners, with the request
that they call the election. 1 under
stand that they refused to do this on
the plea that the petition should have
been certified before them, and not be-
fore the clerk of the court as had been
done with other petitions. On this trfv
ial technicality, the will of the people
has been ignored. The matter was
taken to the courts. Judge Campbell
has ordered the election called. still
nothing is done. In the meantime the
three commissioners are, each, draw
ing a salary of $3.50 per month, which
is paid by the people of Pensacola,
who are grooming under ver-increas-
ing taxation. Two weeks ago. one of
the commissioners requested, through a
published letter, that this question of
a change of government, be placed on
the ticket, to be voted on in the COM
ing primary election. If the gentleman
has seen this charter, he knows that
the law demands a special election"
for this purpose: and that to proceed
as he requests would be Illegal, and
that such an election would be thrown
out, causing more delay. We need a
change in the city administration, and
one of the candidates has solemnly
pledged himself, if elected. to use his |
influence in giving the people any form |
Of government, that a majority of the |
quilted voters demand, even though |
it cost him his office. In other words |
he will abide by the will of the peo-
pie.
ALICE SHEAR.
I