Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-12-29

Big Land Trade-MOney Kings and
PlethOric CO6ers-AmerIca. Eng
land and Holland Pulling TOgeth-
er-Let the SnarIers be Quiet
Changes I'm Railroads Effected and
COntempIated-Bas of Jack
sOnVIlIe-GOod Now. and Growing
Better-A Worthy Man GOne=The
United States Make a Water Haul
The Negro JurOr-EeIter Give It
Up-HOw Christmas Was ObseFv-
ed. Etc.
JACKSONVILLE. December 2s.-FIorida's s lucky
star is verify in the ascendant, and the year
just about to terminate should be noted with
white mark in her calendar. 1t has witness
ed the greatest and most rapid progress ever
recorded in her annals, and the rise of the
tidal wave that will bear her triumphantly for
ward into the haven of plenty and prosperity
Henceforth her course will be onward and up
ward. The impediments that have heretofore
clogged and retarded her movements have
been cast aside, and no barriers interpose be-
tween her and signal success. With hope
energy and vigor throbbing in every pulse, and
directing the action of every muscle, her f;l-
been cast aside forever.
Two millions of acres embrace a very con-
siderable scope of country, and a sale of such
an amount is large transaction Yet such a
trade was made last week between the Florida
Land and Improvement Company, as salesman.
and Sir Edward Reed, representing a powerful
Dutch and English syndicate, as purchasers.
One-half of the Disston purchase of four mill
lions of acres has already passed out of their
possession. English sovereigns and Dutch
guilders will henceforth be equally interested
with American eagles in promoting the growth
and development of Florida. A tri-partite
alliance and a strong combination! American
push, English solidity and Dutch perseverance, /
The result Of such an union should be and
m lst be success.
the syndicate above alluded to have already
largely invested in Florids, having, it is said,
furnished an ample supply OF funds to secure
the construction of the Tropical Railroad to
Tampa and Charlotte Harbor. The same COM
pauy are also the virtual possessors of the
Jacksonville, Pensacola and Mobile Railroad.
and propose to capture, If possible, the Florida
Central, when that line is offered. Thus it viii
be seen that their interests in this state are
now so large that they cannot afford to flag
in their efforts, and must bend their energies
TO fill up their vast domain with sturdy, in
dustriOus class of population that will render
their lands valuable and productive
We may rea 1onsby expect therefore, to
see occasional cargoeS of English and Dutch
emigrants finding their way over to Florida in
very great while. This big transaction will
tide OF transatlantic people in this direction.
Two millions of acres will just give the famous
forty" without the mule, to $1,000 families,
which, at an average of five to each, will
double 0uf present population. So you see
that immense possibilities are involved.
1t is about time now for the few carping
critics and chronic GROWERS, who, from the time
the Disston purchase was made have never
ceased to vent their dissatisfaction and express
their apprehension, to adopt different tack
and try to take more cheerful view of affairs.
In spite of all that may be said to the contrary,
that great sale OF State lands took the chains
off the limbs of Florida and gave the impetus
to the numerous great enterprises that are
now bearing her onward to fame and fortune
1t was the grandest advertisement ever written
of her advantages and resources, and the notice
as published caught the eyes of a countless
thrOng of readers 1t started the wheels Of
progress, got up steam, end set all the ma
chiuery in working motion. IL effected almost
instantaneOusly what otherwise would not
have been accomplished In years. and nut
Florida forward quarter of a century I'M
mediately following its announcement occurred
the railroad boom, which will soon give relief
to almost every section of the State and
whose good effects are now being seen In the
present unexampled rush Of settlers OF the
State.
The purchase Of a majority of the stock in
the Florida Central Railroad by Sir Edward
Reed, and his election as its President gives
rise to the belief that as he is known to hold
the most cordial relations to she Dutch hond
that has so long involved the two roads will
soon be amicably adjusted, and that both will
be brought under the same management The
probability is that the entire lines from this
city to Chattahoochee, and thence to Pensa-
cola, will be in happy accord, and that the best
results may be expected from such comoina-
tion.
large amount Of capital is being invested
in Florida, and the vivifying effects of The
golden stream are witnessed in the marked
increase OF general business. Merchants in
TINS city frankly admit that the trade of the
past year, even during the dull summer
months. Was larger and more satisfactory than
was ever known previously. With the material
advantages that Jacksonville possesses in the
way OF freights there is no reason why she
should not be able to do a large wholesale
business, and supply most OF the goods re-
qulred by the country merchants in East and
south Florida The few houses now here thar
sen iy only oy the package are apparently well
satisfied with their success.
That was sad death of mir. D. s. Place the
superintendent Of the Florida Exposition at
Atlanta, last Saturday. The success that has
attended the display in Florida Hall was in no
small degree, attributable to his individual ex-
ertlons. From the inception of the enterprise
ne mas Deen earnest and Jealous In his efforts
TO render it a success, and for some months he
had devoted his entire time and attention to
me subject. 1t was indeed hard to fall on the
very threshold Of success, Just at the moment
when his anticipations were on the eve of re.
allzatlon. In his sphere he was a faithful and
OF great and general regret.
Thus far the United States authorities have
made signal failure IN such of the cases of
alleged violations of the election laws as have
been on trial. In not single case. so far, has
aconvlctlon been obtained. nor Is there likely
70 oe upon such hmsy testimony essshas been
ellclted. few years ago when Jurors were
required to take the IRON clad oath and whaa
men who had served s'the lost cause'' were
ruled out or the jury box, things we're some
what different. Under the present system re-
qIliring the panel to be composed equally of
men from both political parties, the intelli-
gence of the Juries has been increased. and
there has been less opportunity for the exhi-
bitlon OF partisan malice and vindictiveness.
Stlll, however, the average negro, when serv-
ing as juror in any case that bears the slight
est relation to politics, considers that he is
doing his duty to his party, and to his country.
to bring verdict of guilty against the offender
Wnen S Democrss; This guiding principle is
Itself on all occasions. AS a general rule in
all such cases. when there is a mistrial. the
negroes hang out for conviction and the
whites for acquittal.
There are still numerous similar cases upon
the docket in which the same result is prob
able, Judging from those already tried Judge
settles rulings and charges have been emf
nently Just and proper, and he hiss held the
scales in the most adnirable equipoise. His
course Is warmly commended and admired bv
conservative men of all parties
10" much longer the court will occupy it.
-
as II time, expense and annoyance could be
saved oy entering sweeping 1oIIe prosequf
In the remaining indictments.
Christmas Sunday wes most pleasant and
rstaiu aId various Churches were elaao
evS5ssIeel'S, h.u the fine music attracted lsree
ssH9ieh'Ses. in the afternoon, the Christmas
-.sLIval of the children connected with ST
Johns Church an 1. its three chapels occurred.
and the exercises and carols were of a most
interesting character. The address was de-
ivered by that good and noble Christian gen
tiemaD, Bishop Whipple, of Minnesota who
mentioned the interesting fact that among the
priests connected With his diocese were eight
full -blooded Indians, who were doing faithful
service in the cause of their Master
Monday, the 26th was generally observed as
holidey, and ia spite of the rain that fell al
most without cessation, tne streets were filled
with people. and wore lively appearance
A constant lusilade was kept up OF Chinese
crackers and firearms, while the night was
rendered brilliant by the explosion of rockets
John Barleycorn claimed but few victims. and
the police were seldom required to intefpose
their authority. Bands Of youthful musicians
mingled the sounds Of their drums with the
shrill notes Of penHy whistles and the hoarser
tootings OF tin trumpets and the day was OBJ