The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-01-16
to seek other targets for their attacks
st. Petersburg Times.
JOHN n. c. STOCKTON

Floridians in all parts of the state
will feel keen regret when they learn
today of the sudden death of John \.
Jacksonville Friday Mr.. Stockton had
been so long and so prominently con-
nected with the history of the state
that he was known in the most distant
ties as well as in the county of his
residence and he had close personal
friends everywhere in Florida.
1t may be said that Mr.. Stockton al
so had enemies. but if any enmity has
survived his withdrawal a few years
ago from active participation in pub
lie affairs it will be so softened that it
will not obscure the fact that a worthy.
able and patriotic FIoridan has passed
away. Mr.. Stockton was active so
positive, so aggressive that he. did not
fail to create antagonisms and in some
cases these ranked. but many men
who did not agree with his political
opinions knew so we'll the kindly side
OF his character and his many excel
lent qualities that, While numbered
among his political foes, they were his
personal friends, and they will feel
as keen regret at his loss as those who
shared completely his views on pub
lie questions.
y Mr.. Stockton was native Floridian,
born at Quincy, and coming to Jack
sonville when II years old. He rose
rapidly in business and while a young
man was among the prominent bust
ness men of this city, and when not
more than 80 years of age was one Of
the political leaders of the state. For
number of years he exercised his in
fluence in politics without desiring any
office for himself Later he made three
races for the senate and in one of
them he came within a hairsbreadth
of success. He did not lose his power
with his friends as long a he was ac-
tive in politics. He was the undisputed
leader of one of the factions into which
Florida democracy was divided for a
time
Mr.. Stockton was probably the
youngest president of the Jacksonville
board of trade, being elected to that
position when he was barely turned
thirty. A very few years later he was
president of one OF the two largest
banks in Jacksonville. Thirty years ago
~ wac OiIC Va IAlC ~ A1lIL pal y" 4ASl > VI
the Times Union. His rise. purely by
his own force and ability, was almost
unprecedented.
AS chairman of the board of public
works Mr.. Stockton's administration
was marked with greater advancement
of the city than it had ever expert
enced before, or has ever since. The
fact that Jacksonville changed in a
night from probably the poorest
lighted city of its size in the United
states to the best lighted was largely
due to his influence and his work.
At the same time was begun and car
ried forward rapidly the paving of
the city whose streets had been deep
sand. and the sanitary improvements
that have made Jacksonville one of
the healthiest cities.-Florida Times
Union.
Jacksonville has experienced sad
loss in the passing of John Noble
Cumming Stockton.
The sympathy of the entire COM
munity is going out to the bereaved
family. His loved ones can find as
suagement of their grief in reflecting
for his home city.
To John n. c. Stockton Jacksonville
owes her municipal light plant; her
well planned streets; much of her real
estate development. To this pioneer
who had faith in the days when only
faith could induce men TO Remain here
and work increasingly to the end that
Jacksonville become a city. Is largely
due the credit for the Jacksonville OF
today.
Cities are builded upon faith more
than upon any other one thing. With
the faith of Stockton. and his impelling
optimism, the contasion of belief in
the city and its future was spread. He
fostercd it well, and his works will
keep his memory green in the hearts
Of the city.-JacEsouvilIe Metropolis.