The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-05-24
Letter from Florida.


rida, lately received by him. which may
interest our readers
JAcKsosynaE, FLORIDA, May 6th, 1878.
Jacksonville has undergone rna7y changes
since you were here last season. This sec
tion Of country has been thronged with
strangers, and among them were many
distinguished persons Hon. Horatio Sey-
mour, Ex-Governor Of New York; William
Cullen Bryant, the Poet, has been delight
ing his admirers at Magnolia, setting under
orange trees and reading from the Greek
poets. Mr.. Boutwell,, Secretary Of the
Treasury, and several members Of Congress,
who circulated the surplus back pay grab
among our Congressional delegation Of
Florida There has not been a single sign
of reIenting on that question They ap-
propriated the amount to themselves as a
part Of the programme. We had in an
extra member too, it happened thus wise
j. I. Walls, a negro, received the eertiii-
cate from the Legislature, which was in
perfect keeping with all their proceedings
the seat was contested by s. L. Niblack, of
Lake City, white man, and after twenty
three months Of their wise deliberations it
was decided by the congressional commit
tee that Mr.. Walls had not been elected.
consequently not entitled to the seat. Mr..
Niblack then comes forward, is installed,
takes his seat and votes on the back salary
and advance question as big as any of
them; pockets about sl5 900 for four weeks
services and came back richer If not a
iciser man. Mr.. Walls had sat nearly
through the AID Congress and of course
had pocketed his $4,000 and mileage.
He has fair capacity for wagon driver,
but is about on par with some Of the
white members who have been sitting there.
and is superior however to many in homes
ty, as he has not been educated up to the
credit mobilier standard. Harrison Reed.
our former Governor, was retired at the
November election he is now conducting
row boat ferry on the St. Johns river.
which is more appropriate for him. Our
present Governor, o. B. Hart, is a native.
to the manor born, and yet he is Radical.
After the war he commenced to view the
situation and concluded the only opening
for him, was through political means. He
is very ordinary man, about third rate
lawyer, but considered in the scale Of hon
esty about the best candidate they could
start, accordingly he was elected. see
by his inaugural address he finds the coun-
try immensely wealthy in State and County
Scrip-cart loads of (which if the State
could liquidate would put in circulation a
goOdly amount This scrip is receivable
for taxes and State dues, and is worth in
market for that purpose from 40 to 60 cts.
on fhe>dollar- They also say there is some
afoat that has been paid by the Treasury,
once, but how it got out again is not known,
nor how much is out, $40, 900 or $50 600,
remains mystery For unblushing ras-
cality this State is model one, and is
entitled to rank, in that particular, with
louisiana.
0UR HoTELs.-The Metropolitan has
not met with the success it merits. it has
been only tolerably well patronised this
past season. Somehow, from locality or
other cause, it has not met popular favor.
The st. james accommodates about 200
people and has been crowded all through
the season and has paid dividend Of Is
per cent, to its stockholders. Last sum-
mer new brick hotel of 100 rooms was
built by Mr.. Rohr, a northern gentleman,
at cost of s75 900; it is fitted up in first
class style with all the modern improve
ments, located on Bay street, near the r.
X. Depot, it is kept by Mckinley, former
y Of the Scriyen House, Savannah, which
is sufficient guarantee for success. 1t
was not finished and opened to the public
until February, but has been filed since
the opening day and bids fair anosher
season to eclipse all the hotels in Florida.
II has paid q dividend Of 10 per cent. and
win be enlarged, this summer, 100 rooms
more, to be completed for the fall business.
jacksonville has assumed the dignity of
larger cities, and is well up in all the mod
ern inventions of every kind. Among the
influx of visitors, we find life insurance
agents, lightning rod men, sewing machine,
wash machine dealers, organ grinders with
monkey attachments, and the greatest of
all pests to travellers and a prominent mark
OF advanced civilization are those gentry
who stop at the best hotels, and clothed in
purple and fine linen, fare sumptuously
every day, play billiards. with gentlemen,
and croquet with the ladies', and under the
cover OF night lay violent hands on money,
Jewe.ry, &c. They are capital judges Of
precious stones There have been several
cases Of this kind, and they have escaped
unpunished. These fellows travel IN the
garb Of gentlemen, are very agreeable, they
do not stoop to small things--petty larce-
ny--not they, they are above stealing old
boots, hair grease and such like, their lines |
are drawn higher We are well supplied
with all facilities Of cheaper living-nu-
merous restaurants which mix for thirsting |
humanity the most tempting allurments in |
the way Of milk punches, &C., &c., and | |
am Obliged to record they are seemingly |
appreciated as evidenced BY the numerous |
participants therein. There are also about