The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1879-04-16

not been the case by its order, the
constitutional limit will expire in a
few moments, and with it this assem-
bly,.
| should be recreant to the trust
you have imposed upon me did l
not, in reply to the resolution of con-
idence in me, which you have just
passed by a unanimous vote, en-
deavor to express my appreciation Of
your action.
We have met for the purpose of
performing the most sovereign act
known to free institutions; that is,
the act of legislation, the highest that
man can exercise over his fellow
men. Your deliberations have pro-
crossed in judgment and in modera-
ton, and it is my highest hope that
the execution Of the laws which you
have made will rebound to the pro.
motion of the best interests of the
people of our State. Whether or
not such will be the case the lapse of
the next two years will demonstrate.
The journal, which has been faith
fully kept, will show, I am proud to
say, no attempt to pass any prescrip-
tive legislation, none that is applica-
BILE to one class of our citizens more
than to another. Notwithstanding
the tact that this is the largest assem-
blv ever convened in this hall, you
will find that 1t has done as much or
more work than any of its pre3eces-
sors, and, while each OF us has come
to protect and push forward the in
terests of his particular section or
county, the general welfare has in 10
instance been neglected.
If you had done nothing else, the
lowering of the rate of taxation and
the fixing Of it by law, together with
entering the wedge which. 1 think,
will lead to all adjustment of the Diff
ficulties which have heretofore sur
rounded the internal improvement
fund.-" will commend you to our peo-
pie.
That improvement fund was, and
is vet, q magnificent donation, and.
while a great part OF it has been dis
sipated, | hope and believe that your
action has tended to direct its appli-
cation to The legitimate purposes for
which it was created by the national
government Should such prove to
be the result, l shall feel that we have
accomplished great work, and can
congratulate you upon being mem
bers of the assembly of 1879, for that
movement was given birth upon the
floor OF So tall.
acl daUad Ias = md :. yoss
that connection, you will pardon
few words in relation to my own
action, | will have done. Called to
the chair by an almost unanimous
vote, have kept steadily in view
the honor and dignity Of your body
as one of the branches Of this sover-
eign government, and have always
protected the rights OF your mem
bers; and in deciding the various
questions brought before me, my rul-
lI0S nave Dccl III SUIlCG dCCOIQduCG
with what | believed to be the right
and the parliamentary law. When
l have been i'll error, as undoubtedly
l often have been, | have been so in
no desire to invade the rights of any
member, and that my action has been
appreciated is shown by the fact that
in each and every ruling l have been
sustained and now that the time has
come when we are to part, perhaps
forever, rest assured that each of you
carnes with himselfmy kindest wishes
Tor his prosperity in the future.
am utterly unable to find words
to express my appreciation of the
unanimous support which hasln every
instance been accorded me; and
begging you once more to accept my
protoundest thanks for the compli-
meLt, which, through me, their rep
resentative, you have paid the peo-
pie of Volusia county, l bid you all a
reluctant farewell.