The Pensacola journal., 1922-12-28
BY EYRAN MACK

| JOAN NeeIey has promised 10 fur.
| nish ne with so:as sketches OF pubic
j men IN Florida, some who are alive
! now and some who have performed
! their service and gone on to another
/ wroId. John Nee.ey knows from Close
/ association with them the lives oi
! many who have made Florida history
; and their records should be known to
our people Florida has had many big
men, and these sketches will be en-
: tertaining and instructive.
How many of our children, and
] grown-ups too, know about Perry,
Blocksum. Pasco, Broward, Call and
many others?
This morning 1 met Senator Fen
H Lindsey on the street on his way
to keep a business appointment, and
l asked him to see ME before leaving
town. I wanted to know many things
from him. about measures he would
advocate in the next legislature, and
whether he would be a candidate for
governor.
He has just called me over the
phone to say that he didn't finish his
business until train time, and there
fore couldn't get around to the office
Ben Lindsey is one man who surely
attends to whatever job he has on
hand. whether that be some measure
in the legislature, a hunting eApedi-
ton, or some business matter that
comes up daily. He doesn't do any
thing by halves, and l hope that if I
should ever run for office that he is
not candidate against NE, for I
> F,n
would give.
A great many people like Ben Lind
sew. All men respect him, both for
his integrity and his ability. and with
it all he is one of the most likeable
men in the state.
While l only had minute or two
with him over the phone, it is gen.
uinely refreshing 10 talk with a pub
lie man who is frank and open in ex-
pressing his mind. I think the public
is, and / know that I am, tired Of the
trimming -committiVe office seek
ing politician. Ben Lindsey is not one
of these.
l asked him whether he would be
a candidate for governor. He said
there are so many things that might
influence him in this matter that it
is too uncertain to express an opinion.
He says he is going to the next leg
islature with determination 10 stand
for the things that Will benefit Flor
ida and its people and its institutions,
and without hope for political favor;
that his duty in the next Legislative
session is what he is concerned in at
the present.
While 1 am in no sense a candi-
date for governX. 1 would have to
have a hide as thick as rhinocerous
If l did not appreciate the numerous
requests that ] become a candidate
for governor. These requests have
come from every section of the state,
and from the hunnblest citizen TO the
largest business men," said the sena-
tor.
Il would prefer supporting the right
man for the office, and there is plenty
of time for that man to appear"
This is not the first time Senator
Lindsey has been spoken Of as prob
able candidate for office. He has been
frequently mentioned for governor,
United States senator. congressman
and cabinet positions, but he has al |
WAYS declined. lie is a business man,
a successful one, but one who finds !
time 10 take an interest in govern |
mental affairs. 1 don't know whether |
he Will be a candidate for governor. |
but If he should, it will not he on |
account Of a personal desire for office. |
but on account OF an insistent demand !
from the people TO respond TO a pub |
lie duty