The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-05-20
MAINLAND COUNTIES CELEBRATE

On May Z, on the court mouse grounds
at Fort Myers, there was a celebration in
honor of Judge David Elmer Ward, who
was nominated state senator from the oath
Senatorial District in the recent democratic
primary The people of Monroe, Lee, Col
lier and Hendry counties were invited and
many responded
A. HI. Andrews, editor of The Amer
lean Eagle, published at Estero, Florida,
near Fort Myers, was called on for talk,
and ii was happily received. The speaker
expressed himself as favoring good will
delegation from Fort Myers to go to Key
West and return visit from Key Westers
which he thought would help to cement
the ties of friendship. There is no doubt
about that and The Citizen feels certain
that it will materialize, especially since we
feel that in Judge Ward we will have
representative who will be just as solicit
Gus of the welfare of Monroe as of his
home county.
The article follows:
AT the celebration held on the Courthouse
grounds last Saturday night in honor of Judge
David Elmer Ward, who was nominated State
Senator from the oath Senatorial District in the
recent democratic primary therriter Was one of
many kgesent who were calledaApon fafAa few. re,
marks.
From past observation it occurred to me that
the first fifty years are evidently the hardest
nasmuch as since Lee County S~asycagved from
Monroe in 1883 this is the second State Senator
we have had, all the rest being from Monroe
County However, by pursuing the good neigh
Dor" policy toward Monroe County friends
believe it possible to better that record within
the next fifty years.
In time past Key West has seemed most re-
mote and almost like foreign country, but now
that the Overseas Highway is open for travel
this is no longer the case. 1t was suggested by
the writer that in view of this fact we should
endeavor to cultivate the acquaintance and good
will of the Key West people, who said to be
real folks and are all part of senatorial
district good will delegation from Fort
Myers with return visit from Key WestteEs.
would help to cement the ties of friendshiHF
This idea was touched upon by severHl other
speakers including Judge Ward, who stated that
he would be Just as soliciteus and impartial. as
to the needs OF Key West as he would be in con-
sidering the needs of his home county.
although an agreement was entered into
fifty years ago the effect that the office Of State
Senator should be rotated regularly between Key
West and the mainland, this agreement was NOT
adhered to and many mainland residents have
felt resentment in consequence. have never
personally felt that way, as realized that for
many years Key West has been in desperate
straits Once the largest city ia Florida and port
of call for ships from the seven seas; with great
cigar factories, sponge fisheries navy yard, coast
guard base and other activities from which it
prospered, for many years past these industries
have been slipping away until the city was re-
duced TO but fraction of its former population.
Then came the final blow with the wipng out of
the Overseas Railroad by the hurricane of 1885
Most people thought Key West finished and
is il any wonder, under the circumstances, that
she chung desperately 10 the State Senatorship,-
the one influence that seemed to offer some hope
Of relief from the desolation and despair that
encompassing them? But now with the opening
of the Overseas Highway the island city is coming
back with vim and enjoys all the advantages of
mainland connection. This will result in closer
acquaintance with ones neighbors throughout the
gath Senatorial District and unity of purpose
and good fellowship such as was impossible UNI
der the cid isolated regime"
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