The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-03-24
CAPITAL REMOVAL

A Few days ago, the Ilmes-C nloh
printed an editorial on the above
named issue, which it seems to view
more from a Jacksonville that from
a statewide standpoint. The Tampa
Times makes the following effective
reply:
1.-THE Times-Union, in very IN
genious discussion of the capital re-
moval movement, presents the result
of the election on this question TWEEN
ty-two years ago, when Jacksonville,
Ocala and St. Augustine were the
opponents of Tallahassee. At that
election jacksonville was given 1898
votes, Ocala 4415, st. Augustine 2733
and Tallahassee II ,223-with the re-
turns from the three small counties
of Calhoun, Taylor and Liberty miss
ing. Large majorities were given
Tallahassee by seven of the South
Florida counties, notably Hillsbor-
|ough.
"From which the Times Union
reaches the conclusion that the capi-
tai removal agitation is confined to
"a number of South Florida papers
with fecks of foam in their mouths
In other words, that the papers of
South Florida are not representing
the sentiments of the people of this
section.
"The basis Of this argument is en-
tirely without merit. The conditions
in the state twenty-five years ago
were so widely at variance with the
conditions of today, and the sentiment
of the people has so changed, that the
result of that election has no value as
an indication of the temper of the peo-
pie at this time. Then the disparity
in population between southern and
western Florida was not so great.
Then the injustice of the legislative
apportionment was not so aggravat-
ing. Then the disproportion of the
ltaxpaying burdens and the tax distri-
buting benefits were not so glaringly
outrageous as they are today Then
the accessibility of the state capital
to the mass of population was not of
as great Importance as it is now. A
quarter of century ago sentiment
to large extent Influenced the peo-
iple-today they are more practical.
Then the appeal for the historic CAPT
toll on the old red hills of Leon won
over many, particularly among the
tpioneer residents; but now the attitude
of the people is altogether different.
They realize that South Florida-the
progressive and burden-carrying sec
ton of the state-is suffering mate
rial injustice and disadvantage be-
cause of it's remoteness from the seat
of government. They realize that the
atmosphere at the state house is at
least out of sympathy with this sec
ton. Showing has been made in de-
tail by the Times how these conditions
initiate to our disadvantage, and it is
not necessary to resubmit the evil
dence. The state house officials and
employees are almost exclusively from
northern and western Florida, and
they all exert an influence in some de-
! gree in the management of the states
business and the distribution of the
benefits. They are all lobbyists-past
masters at the game-and they influ-
ence legislation.
'The Times-Union is very much
mistaken in it's statement that "a few
mouth constitute the capital removal
sentiment in South Florida. 1t is also
mistaken in assuming that jealousies
between the communities will prevent
support of any city in South Florida
as the site for the capital Tampa
the largest city in South Florida, is
not an aspirant for the honor, anc
the Times confidently asserts that the
people of this section stand ready anG
anxious to give their united support
Ito Ocala or Orlando when one of those
cities is selected as the South Florida
candidate. The prospects are very
encouraging that South Florida viii
present united front for capital re-
moval at the next session of the leg
islature. Selishness and local ieal
Eousies will be eliminated, and only
the important question of placing the
seat of government convenient to the
mass of population will be considered
"The Times-Union will discover
when we finally succeed in getting
this question before the voters again
that the papers of South Florida are
in touch with and faithfully represent
the views of the people of this sec
ltion."