Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-01-24

AC GACeSS 1w AEAS OA 1AhG GORAG-G X OkA
Meet and Hear 1t EVerywhere A
ProPheeT-Gen. Perry.
TALLAHASSEE, January 22-Ftr the benefit
of the Clerks OF the Circuit Courts, and the
people, herewith give the substance of a bill
that has recently passed the Senate It pro-
vides that no Clerk or custodian of the public
records Of the counties shall impose any
charge upon, or take any fee from any person
examining such records. or making any mem
oranda, extracts or abstract therefrom. Any
Clerk who shall refuse during Office hours,
to permit any person such use of the books.
for the purpose mentioned. shall be deemed
guilty Of a misdemeanor, and on conviction
shall be fined not mere than one hundred dol
lars. This does not prevent such officers from
collecting legal fees for services rendered By
them.
The deficiency bill which has passed the
Senate approprietes the following amounts:
For expenses of the Lunalic Asylum in 1879,
$2S05 5S--for 1880 and previous years. S4,591 A.
For expenses Superior Court. 1890, 81 1888 0S.
For expenses collection of revenue in 1880 and
previous years. sa0.000. For printing and ad-
vertising in 1879 and 1899, S45oO For balance
on printing for the Legislature of 1879. $795.
For maintenance Of lunatics for 1850, to cover
accounts not included In estimates made by
the Comptroller, 81 GOO
General w. d. Barnes the new Comptroller,
Is a native OF North Carolina, and graduated at
the University of that State in 1882, during
which year he removed to Florida. In 1885, he
was one of the electors on the Democratic
Presidential ticket He held the Office of So
llcitor of the Western Circuit from 1857 TO 1851.
At the beginning of the war he entered the
army and attained the rank of Lieutenant Col
onel In the Confederate service. In 1868 he was
nominated as the Democratic candidate for
Congress, the State at that time being only en-
titled to one Representative. In 1875 he was
made state Senator from jackson county and
was the President OF that body during the last
session.
General Barnes is now about fifty years of
age. and is a resident of Mariana, Jackson
county, where he bears high rank as a lawyer,
and where he stands high in the respect aud
confidence Of the people.
General Barnes is Of rather full figure, with
q florid complexion, and pleasant, frank coun-
ttenance. His years and pat experience, with
his intimate knowledge of the State. her
wants and capacities fit him in Gn eminent de-
gree for the responsible position which he now
occupies. Governor BloxEam has acted wisely
in selecting this gentleman as one of his official
family.
Among the notable gentlemen, for the first
time sitting in the Senate Chamber, Is Mr.. Jas.
Mckay Of Tampa. Mr.. Mckay was born in
1hOOilot AAu ulONCu 10 Ills pTcSSuG hOul6 IN HIS
childhood. He was cadet at the Kentucky
Military Institute in so and go; and entered
the Confederate army in 81, as Quartermaster
Of the Fourth Florida Regiment. In "a he was
ordered to this State, for the purpose of for
warding beef cattle to the Tennessee and Yir
ginia armies.
After the war. he engaged with his father In
the steamboat business, and together they In
augurated the expectation of cattle to Cuba,
enterprise OF great benefit to the people of
East and South Florida
This trade now requires from five 10 eight
thousand beeves annually, and puts into cir
culation from S75, goo to $i25,0OO
In 1916, under great difficulties and by the
exercise of untlring energy, he succeeded in
having semi-weekiy mail service established
between Cedar Keys and Tampa, which has
been Of signal advantage to his section of
country.
He wss elected to his present position over
the regular Democratic nomInee from coun-
ty that gave Governor Bloxham the largest
majority he received. Senator Mckay is a
staunch and consistent Democrat, and had the
honor of secondiog the nomination of Senator
Jones
Although a thoIo ough sailor, he seems to
handle the parliamentary ropes as readily as
he would the tackle OF vessel. The persistent
energy with which he advocated, and carried
through the Senate, the bill to abolish com.
pulsory pilotage, against such antagonists as
Senator's Mallory aud Thompson, is character
i5tic of the man. He will carefully protect the
interests Of commerce and Of his section, and
so faithful and competent representative.
Mr.. Mckay is considerably above the ordi-
nary stature, well built and muscular, with
complexion bronzed by the sun and winds. He
wears the mien OF one accustomed to com
mand, and his features indicate firmness and
decision, as wel as kiudliness of disposition
he Is about forty years of age, In the zenith OF
manhood, and Florida has no son moro true to
her welfare.
Thus far there have not been es many lobby
members IN attendance upon the Legislature
as is usual. There are not as many new rail-
road and canal schemes in contemplation
Many charters for such enterprises were grant
ed during the last session.
At the banquet given night or two since,
after Senator Jones' speech, the prevailing
idea that Derneated the various sneech-S was
tue necessity for internal improvements and
the increase of the present means of transpor-
tation. You can hear this desire continually
expressed. 1t is strong and universal, and
overrideS all other considerations. Build the
roads to Pensacola and Tampa-they will be
the backbones oflthe system, and the feeders
will soon be constructed, giving the relief that
is SO much needed. Unless am greatly mis-
taken, there is fixed determination on the
part of this Legislature to take some decided
action on this subject. 1t is the imperative
demand OF the people, AMI one that must and
should be granted
The completion of the original system of
railroads would advance Florida a half cen
tury on the route to prosperity. II would
cement her people into one homogeneous COM
Win SlDlltaP aims and similar inter-
es's. Like the great arteries of the human
body that convey life and vitality to all por-
tions Of the frame, so the two railroads men
toned would carry animation and vigoT to all
parts OF Florida.
The Governor and Cabinet are pledged to
undertake this great work, the Legislature
stands ready to grapple with the question,
the people are looking towards Tallahassee
with eager hope and burning anxiety.
1t Is a task that should not be DELAYED, It
must be undertaken now. and st once. The
West and the East, the Middle and the South
must clasp hand, and unite in the accomplish
ment of this great purpose. Where all are to be
benefited, no sectional or local feeling should
be allowed to stand for a single moment in the
way Of q project of such magnitude
am getting somewhat grizEled, but if live
to see the year 1885. hope to be able to take
train at Jacksonville and visit Tampa and
Pensacola, and to accomplish the distance to
either OF the points mentioned between the
rising and setting of the sun. So mote il be
Amen and amen,
Gen. e. A. Perry is here. and has had to un-
dergo many hearty hand-sheking. He is de-
Servsdiy and universally popular, and the
devotion which he has always shown to Flori-
da is appreciated now, and will be rewarded
in the future. He Dow wears honors won on
the field of battle. The prouder trophies ac-
quired by faithful civil service are yet to en-.
circle his brows His time is coming.
The Berger Family gave one OF their unique
entertainments last night The audience was
large, select ard enthusiastic. and the COM
pany fully sustained their former reputation.
The Senate this morning transacted consid-
cradle business. Among the bills presented
was one constituting the Governor and Cabi-
net Bureau of Immigration. with authority
to appoint one or more secretaries. The bill
will be taken up next week.
The various committees are we'll up with
their work
The weather is again chilly, damp and dlsa-
greeahle. W. II, B.