The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-06-13
GOMEZ DEFENDS SELF

Tor Tear That ally Wal SUA-
troversy over the bridge situation
would affect its successful ac-
complishment before congress
acted / have refrained from re-
J futing the false and widespread
rumor circulated to the effect
that | was unfriendly to this en-
terprise which means so much to
our city and our people. How
ever, now that congress has
passed the necessary legislation !
propose that my political enemies
shall be exposed and the truth
made known.
During the latter days of the
recent session of the legislature
: Mr.. Lester and Mr.. Taylor came
toa Tallahassee with a local bill
which / presume was prepared by
them. Having confidence in their
integrity and ability and believing
that their highest interest was
the building of the overseas
bridges ! readily agreed to pass
, such bill through the senate in
cooperation with Mr.. Albury in
, the house. This bill, / was told,
was necessary upon which to pre-
dictate further action in Washing
J, ton. The bill provided for the APP
pointment of five commissioners,
! three of whom were to come from
Key West and two from Miami
4 Inasmuch as those sponsoring the
overseas bridge matter up to that
point had not obtained substan-
tial results naturally l wanted
others along with those thereto
fore handling the matter to have
some voice and take some part in
any further negotiations looking
towards building the overseas
bridges.
The five commissioners recon-
mended to the governor for ap-
pointment were agreed upon By
Mr.. Lester, Mr.. Taylor, Mr.. Al
bury and myself. In fact, all OF
{ us together went to the governors
: office and jointly recommended
s the five commissioners so agreed
upon. Why these appointments
have not been made do moi
know, but none are more anxiou:
that they do be made than |.
defy anyone to say that any in,
fluence or action on my part ha;
caused them not to be made.
Mr.. Albury introduced the bill
, in the house one day and two
. days days later / passed tht
the same bill in the senate and i
. became a law. This being so. how
Z can anyone think that was un
friendly to the building of tn,
overseas bridges? The false rumol
being circulated as can readily BIZ
j seen was not on the blocking o.
the overseas bridges but tn,
E placing Of representative on ths
E board of commissioners from thu
81 common people.
The building of the overseas
: bridges is not an individual mat.
ter but community proposition
1t would seem that certain in
dividuals are of the opinion tina
they possess all of the brains ant
powers in Key West. | am will
ing to admit that they have got
ten away with that assumption
q for many years and more or les
: dominated the community or en-
: deavored to do so. However
9 another day is dawning and thu
zone man town policy is at al
end or is soon to be. / believ'
: the citizens feel as / do and vii
!, demand that in all public ques
tions the cards be laid on tn
table and the common people al
lowed to deal the deck oc
casionally.
wish to say to the public o
Key West that ] have passe,
every piece of legislation possibl,
! looking towards the bettermen
: of the community and the relic
of the taxpayer. | have dom
this notwithstanding pressure. de
sire and commands of the priv
: legged few.
mi can only ascribe one reasol
S for questioning my official &C
tion in the legislature with re
+ gard to the overseas bridge mat
. ter and that is that certain one
thought they could 90 to the gov
: ernor and get anything the.
wanted. When ii was found tn,
senator was given strong con
sideration, disappointment fol
lowed and hence the false rumor
: designed with the intent 20 hur
and injure one who has tn,
courage of his convictions and !
determination To serve the publ
first, last and all the time. Tn
. citizens Of Monroe county have /
a senator who is not Eyes man
and it doesn't seem right to son'
Il people.
am grateful 70 the citizens q
:. Key West and proud Of the homo
Z II affords me 10 represent then
a. state senator. | will not b