Palatka daily news. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1919-1994, 1922-03-14
CAPITAL REMOVAL
CAMP A|GN TAKES
A Definite FORM
Statewide Organization
Is in Process of For
nation
FIRST STEPS At 0CAlA
Courthouse Packed as
Plea Is Made for a
United Front

Capital removal, so long an issue
in Florida, was brought step near
er consummation yesterday after
noon in Ocala when definite organ
ization with a definite purpose was
launched, the one specific and declar-
ed purpose being capital removal
without regard to any selfish pur-
pose in making the final location of
a capital site. Temporary officers
were elected, committee on organ
ization and bylaws appointed and
meeting for April at Orlando was
agreed upon, at which time perma-
nent officers will be elected, the
method of organizin glocal units
planned and definite campaign for
educating the people on the necessity
for ratifying the proposed amend
ment to the constitution for reap
portioning the state arranged.
The note of unselfishness and evi-
dent desire to cooperate first of all
for capital removal pervaded the
meeting throughout, and when Chair
man Rogers raped for order the
courtroom was packed, with hundreds
who could not get in.
No Evidence of Rivalry.
The meeting was conducted just as
it had been planned, without dis.
cordant note. Initiated by Secretary
Hart, of the Palatka Chamber Of
Commerce, the good judgment shown
in planning to eliminate all commu.
nifty rivalry, was evident. Every
delegation present voted unanimous.
ly on the proposals of Secretary
Hart, and accepted it as a fact that
what must first be accomplished is
capital removal" and then the fix.
ing of site can be. done without any
trouble.
Following the address of welcome
by Mayor Peek, of Ocala, Colonel R
F. Rogers called on Judge R. B. Bull
lock to address those present on the
question of capital removal Judge
Bullock spoke most convincingly fol
fifteen minutes, urging that all fac
tionalism be eliminated in this con
test for the peoples rights, that re
apportionment of the state be insist
ed on and that peninsular Florida bt
accorded that consideration in the
states organization which its wealth
and population entities it to.
Colonel Rogers also made an ap'
peal for unity in this one fight fol
capital removal, every city taking
the position that all could not have
the capital if it is moved, and that il
cannot be moved if all fight among
themselves. Location is not the is.
sue, he said, but removal is.
Hart States Purpose.
Secretary Hart, who was the orig
inator of the idea of forming a state
wide organization, and who put il
into active operation, was then call,
ed to state the plans and purposes Of
the organization which he had pro.
posed. Mr.. Hart spoke as follows:
"At the outset, permit me to ex.
press the hope we may come to ar
early understanding of what we are
all here to accomplish and to ask
that my remarks be accepted in their
general application and without re-
gard to the city which 1 represent
hope to establish the soundness Of
policy that will cement the repre-.
sentatives here assembled into ar
organization that knows no prefer.
ential state sectionalism, but an or.
Iganization composed of citizens
proud to proclaim themselves always
and first, Floridians, The time has
come in the history of this great
state when the will of the majority
must be obeyed. The time has passed
when few can dictate to the pro
gressiveness of any part of Florid'
in any manner that retards or bur
dens. Too few in the nation know
of Florida's potehtialities.
| "Too few in Florida know of tn
administration of her government
from the most inaccessible locatio
in the whole Sunshine State, an
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