The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-04-30

Miss Amy Doris Van Pelt, 14-year-
old daughter OF Mr.. and Mrs. John
Van Pelt, OF North Seventh avenue, Is
the winner Of the Blount composition
medal which was contested for by ~
Of the Pensacola high school students
on April 4. Honorable mention was
given Miss Lucia Tryon, daughter Of
Mr.. and Mrs. A. G. Tryon, of North
18th avenue.
The subject OF the composition
given to the contestants was 1.-THE An
nexation Of West Florida to Alabama"
and after careful consideration and
judging the medal was awarded to
Miss Van Pelt by the Judges, Hon. p.
X. Yonge. chairman; Hon. ]. s. Beard
and Frank b. Carter, Jr.
Three students from each OF the four
grades OF high school work were Sc,
leoted to write for the medal because
OF the highest average in English work
during the year. They were as fol-
lows: Rose McAfahon, Amy Doris Van
Pelt and Elizabeth Scott, from the
freshman ELAINE Curtis, from the
sophomore class; Hazel Johnson, May
belle Gray and Mary Louise Robson,
from the Junior; Lucia Tryon, Ruth
Schornherst and William McChesney,
from the senior.
Miss Van Pelt graduated from A. ".
Clubbs school last year with the high
7st honors. She is the winner of the
.. d. c. medal Of last year. her SUBJ
1ect for this composition having been
Lees surrender"
@ANNExATIoN OF WEST FLORIDA
TO ALABAMA
Every now and then there comes to
our ears this question, Should West
Florida Be Annexed to Alabama 2"
Most OF us smile and dismiss the ques-
tion without an answer some OF us
wax indignant and say the thing is
not to be conaiAered, while on the
other hand a few believe that we would
probably fare better under Alabama
control. At various times during the
past forty or fifty years this question
has risen, to be met with indifference
on the part OF the vast majority of
our native Floridians.
Most OF the agitation comes from Al
ALBANIA, and It does not seem strange
when we consider that Mobile is her
only seaport. Without doubt, Pensa-
cola's wonderful harbor and the
build UP Alabama greatly, and 1t is
no wonder that West Florida is a
temptation. Twenty years ago a
crowd came down from Alabama hop
Ing to influence favorable legislation.
but nothing ever came OF it. Two years
later the Alabama legislature passed a
bill to fill out the sentiment of Florida
in regard to all that part OF the state
west Of the Apalachicola river, becom-
Ing part Of Alabama, but again the
matter was dropped. In April. 1921,
Senator Mapoles of Okaloosa county,
introduced bill to Anter negotiation
with Alabama, but he was the only one
in favor, and for another time Florida
showed her unconcern. And SO it has
been all along.
We are told that II annexed to Ala
bama, West Florida viii be built up
considerably, and that Pensacola will
become q great seaport, as Alabama is
30 much richer and has larger popu-
lation, that Alabama has large coal
beds and from mines which would benz
eft us, that Alabama has better tax
laws. that Alabama has thirteen con-
congressmen while we have four and
this would give US more influence in
Washington. At first all these things
seem very plausible. It IL true that
Alabama is richer and has a better
tax law. 1t 10 also true that Alabama
has more influence In Washington.
But granting these things, IL we can
for the moment imagine ourselves as a
part Of Alabama, let us throw a
searchlight on the situation. We don't
find ourselves one mile nearer the coal
beds or iron mines. And. even If Ala
bama's tax laws are better we alone,
are responsible for ours. AS to more
influence in Washington, we see our
selves In the same district with Mo-
bile, a city OF much larger population.
Only one congressman is allowed to a
district, and the people OF Mobile
would have the advantage OF securing
that one for their city, who would nat
unally do everything for the benefit
Of Mobile and not for Pensacola.
Does West Florida really need Ala
bama's riches and laws7 We have ex-