The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-10-09
THAT'S WHAT WE SAID

upon. II pldCeS Tie DldIiS lOT LIE ulS-
proportion of representation enjoyed
by the northern part of the state as
against the southern portion, upon the
men of South Florida, when it says:
"South Florida has never made any
lorganized effort to improve its condi-
ton; it has never picked its legisla-
tors nor required any pledges from
them. There are enough men from
South Florida to better conditions if
they would stick together under intel
ligent leadership, but they have never
done this. Florida is not
going to be divided, and the best way
for South Floridians to obtain their
rights is to elect legislators who have
the ability and firmness to demand
Them miami Herald.
The Herald, and we regret to say,
many other papers. has a habit which
we consider dishonest, of taking an
article from another paper, cutting
out certain passages and by twisted
| ing that the writer never intended. If
the Herald had printed the entire ar
ticle from which the foregoing extract
was made, it's readers would have seen
that the Star had different intention
from that imputed to it by its es-
teemed contemporary. This didn't
suit the Herald. 1t preferred to per-
vert the meaning of another paper
which was honestly speaking for what
| it believed the interest of the entire
state.
However, the Herald reproduced
faithfully, tho separately, the forego-
ing extracts, and for this we thank
| it, also those of it's sympathizing con-
ltemporaries, who by reprinting its
editorial have given a considerable
number of people the opportunity OF
reading two of our utterances that we
are perfectly willing should stand by
themselves, for the well-informed and
patriotic citizens of our state will rec
ognize their truth.
For more than a score of years the
well-informed people and the better
class of newspapers of Florida have
recognized and deplored the incompe-
tence of the legislature. The editorial
pages of the newspapers have bristleC
with sarcastic witticisms as well as
solid denunciation of the stupidity
and lack of vision, mixed with some
broad insinuations about the integrity
of many individuals, of our represen-
tative body. 1t has been repeatedly
stated in the press that the members
of the legislature put in SO much time
on local bills, picnics and pure dam.
possible to pass any measure OF
statesmanlike interest to all Florida.
| 1t is also we'll known that while five
hundred or more men have beer
elected from South Florida during the
thirty-six years since the present con.
stitution was adopted, tho many indi,
viduals have been of distinguished
ability they have never been able tx
lgather following or form an organ1.
cation that would even make an at.
tempt to procure its rights for theil
part of the state. You may blame
West Florida for its greediness al
you please, but whenever that section
wanted to put one over for its owl
benefit it could always obtain plenty
of help from the counties south Of
Marion.
We will be glad to have the Herald
give facts. figures and names to dis
lprove this statement.
The Star has never criticised th-
Legislature very severely. 1t has rec
ognized that the people elect the leg
islators and that if ignorant and cor
rupt men go to Tallahassee It is the
fault of the people who let them go.
The main reason why West Floride
is preponderant in the legislature i:
because the men it sends to that body
are better posted on public affair:
and parliamentary practices, anc
stick together better, than the me1
South Florida sends. West Florids
Ipays more attention to politics ant
Isends politicians-South Florida pay:
more attention to business, and as {
rule sends any old thing that will go.
The great cause of this is that the
office of state senator or representa-
tive is i'll paid. The salary will no
meet the expenses of a legislator
while he is attending to the bushes;
of his constituents. Consequently W,
choose men who are wealthy enough
Ito SPARE time from their business