The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-10-22
CITY AND COUNTY MERCER

Key West; matters which it not only ad-
vOcated but to which it has devoted all the
efforts within its power
1t is gratifying to note the realization
of what at times has seemed to be but
futile longings; but they were longings
backed by determination and unceasing
application.
Item One is Water and Sewerage"
Our streets bear evidence of the ap-
preaching completion of that work.
Item Two is Bridges to complete
Road to Mainland" That battle has been
won.
Item Three is in allegiance for the
present. A Free Fort is in the lap of
the future.
Item Four, 'HOtels and Apartments -
This item it attained for the present; fur
Their demands will bring further supply.
1t is a record of achievement of which
Key West may we'll be proud.
Item Five, Bathing Pavilion Is yet
to be attained.
Item Six, consolidation of County
and City Governments has reached the
point of an enabling amendment to the
State Constitution, which is now presented
to the people of the State for ratification.
Upon that point all our energies are at
this time concentrated. Upon the success
full outcome of our appeal to our sister
counties to assist us in this step, vital to
our welfare, all our hopes are fixed
The one hazard which we must over
come, is the difficulty that voters in dis
tant parts of this vast State may have in
understanding the Importance to Monroe
County, with its small population, of being
able to dispense with the costly and I'M
necessary parts of the machinery of gov
eminent which now hampers all our eff
forts to repair our fortunes.
We who live and labor under the
handicap of an out-moded political organ
ization-four political organizations, to be
exact-need no conversion to the belief
that one taxing unit, one school unit, and
one body of men to take the place of City
Council and County Commission, could
not only handle our business more eco
nomically, but also with far less friction
and lost motion than it can be handled by
a superfluity of governing bodies.
We know of no argument advanced
against this propositions; and the only
doubt cast upon its universal approval by
the people of Monroe County, is the fear
that present and prospective office hold
ers may oppose it to prevent a lessening
of useless Jobs
We will not admit that there are
grounds for any such fear. Until events
have proved it, we will not believe that
any man, fit to seek the franchises of his
fellow citizens can be SO greedy, or so
ignorant, aS.to be an unnecessary burden
upon the hard-pressed men, women and
children of community fighting its way
out of the pit of adversely into which cir
cumstances beyond its control had plunged
it.
Placing the matter upon the lowest
possible level that of self-interest, the
salaries which We promise, here in Mon
roe County, and sometimes pay, to our
public servants, can not be nearly as at,
tractive as is the prospect of once again
living in a community which is a going
concern; ready to make its race toward
prosperous future, stripped of the clinging
fragments of the WORKOUT vestments of
the past.
You will find the Amendment stated
on your ballot under this title:
Constitutional Amendment, Article
VIII. Section TO-
An "X" in the square opposite the
words, For the Amendment" will mark
your approval of the measure. And, for
your own sake, for the sake of Key West,
Let no man dissuade you. In this case
every citizen has personal interest in
the outcome of the election.