The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-02-26
JOHN P. STOKES MAY
BECOME PRESIDENT.
OF FLORIDA SENATE
Agreement Between Hoid-Ove Sena-
tors at Last Session Was that Of
flee Should Go TO West
Florida Man.

state Senator w. II. Mapoles in this
weeks issue OF his paper. the Okla
loost News-Journal has the following
to say regarding Senator john p.
Stokes of Escambia county:
West Florida Is interested in the Sc
lection OF the IS new members Of the
state senate to be chosen in the even
numbered senatorial districts In the
June primary, because from these 16
new senator's win be chosen the presi-
dent of the senate in 1923. 1t is the
unwritten law in this state. and never
departed from, that the president of
the senate must be chosen from the
newly elected senators.
The reason West Florida Is interest
ed In the presidency of the next senate
is that there is settled belief that he
should be chosen from this section of
the state, and this belief is entertained
quite generally in South Florida An
other reason is that the president of
the senate not only presides over the
senate In public and in executive SEES
sions, and appoints the committees OF
the senate, and therefore is the most
influential member OF the body, but in
the event of the death or resignation
OF the governor the president OF the
senate succeeds to the office of chief
executive Of the state, and Ia. there
fore, ex-officio lieutenant governor.
1t was practically agreed at the close
of the last session of the legislature,
and the understanding existing among
13 of the hold-over senator's, that the
president of the senate in 1928 should
come from West Florida, and that he
should be the senator from Escambia
county, in the event Senator John p.
Stokes should stand for reelection
and returned by his constituency. In
addition to the hold-over senator's as
senting to this agreement, five out
going senators who expect to be re-
turned also assented to this under
standing. IT is practically assured,
therefore, that in the event OF the re-
turn of Senator Stokes he viii be the
president OF the senate in 1923 and
ex-officio lieutenant governor OF Flor
ida.
The reasons for tho attitude of the
senators committed to Senator Stokes
for the president in 1923 may be sum
marized as follows: In the first place,
his ability is conceded. He was re-
8Hku6u do Oltp VI NhC obtOeS AAS%ANSNNN
of either branch of tho Legislature. In
the second place, he has served in both
houses OF the legislature and is. there
fore. thoroughly familiar with legisla-
live procedure and parliamentary law.
In addition to this. he is one of the
best known men in the state. In the
second place, senator's from West
Florida, as well as senators from other
sections of the state. feel that this is
West ETorida's time. and for that rea-
son should be glad to support West
Florida man. In the fourth place, Sena-
tor Stokes stands well in South Florida
because In every session of the legisla-
ture In which no has sat he has taken
n broad view of state matters and has
supported issues demanded by the peo-
pie South Florida.
The presidency of the senate in 1923
will turn on whether Senator Stokes
will offer for recollection and whether
his constituency win return him
should he decide to stand for re-elec-
tion. When in Pensacola a few weeks
ago, I talked with Senator Stokes
about tho matter and he was noncom-
initial he stated. In effect, that he
would like to be president of the SEN
ate, and would be glad to return to the
senate IL it was the will of his con-
stituency. but that he did not care to
enter into a heated contest over the
matter; that he would wait until al
later date before deciding definitely
whether he would announce himself a
candidate for reelection or not.
II Escambia county would like to be
represented in the senate by the pres
ident OF the next senate, the most in
fiuential member In the body because
of his position as president, with the
possibility of having him succeed to
the office OF chief executive of the
state, now is Escambia's opportunity
AS a personal friend, and as one in
terested in the welfare of West Flor
ida. we say: Senator Stokes. now Isl
your time. Announce your candidacy
for reelection.