Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-07-05

ments-What was PrOpOsed-Ef-
forts to &c: Rid of the Burden
What the Purchasers Will do
How Immigration Will Increase
The People ApprOve-Dredge Boats
The Patterson Murder-DOvvn
with Secret WeapOns-MIlitary Re-
unions.
JACKSONVILLE, FLA July 1.-All Of the State
press are now discussing the recent sale made
| by the Trustees Of the Internal Improvement
Fund to the Okeechobee Land Company. Only
| two or three of the entire number have. thus
| far expressed an objection to the contract.
Taken in all its aspects, this sale bids fair to
accomplish more for the State of Florida than
any transaction that has taken place since its
admission to the Union. 1t has placed the
| cap stone upon the general revival that has
| recently occurred within its borders and
given ample and positive assurance that the
present m rch of progress and improvement
will he fixed and permanent. Doubling
| tongues have ceased to sway, and the lips OF
the ancient and moss bound croakers are
silent That great and glorious future Is
spreading forth its rose colored horizon few
can now deny, and the dreams and visions Of
| the present seem to show bright prospect of
an early and brilliant realization.
The princely domain of public lands, donated
many years ago to this state by the General
Government, for the purpose of aiding in the
construction of works designed to develop its
resources and promote the welfare of its cti-
gems. has at last been freed from the burdens
which have crampe1 its energies and circum-
scr bed its powers. For manv years this great
trust has been hampered by load. 10 the
shape of a mortgage, which has had the effect
OF checking enterprise and retarding advance
ment.
1t has been found impossible even to pay the
interest upon this OBLIGATION. which. in conse-
Quence. has been assuming greater and greater
proportions The sales of land Rave been in
sufficient to defray the interest and meet the
expenses of the legal complications involved.
Hence the debt was increasing, and it appeared
TO be quite probable that under this condition
OF affairs the time would arrive, and that in
the near future, when this splendid grant
would melt away without accomplishing any
of the PURPOSES for which it was intended, and
the state be left to stagger along under debt
to be cancelled by coming generations
1t Is known that the creditors were becoming
very FESTIVE, and that an apple 9tion would
have been made. ere long to the United States
Courts for relief, in the shape of an entire
control of the fund, or the setting AZ art of a
half or more of the lands belonging to the
find. in liquidation of their claims.
Efforts were made during the administrations
of Gov. Drew and his predecessor, to get rid of
this Incubus, and active and vigilant
search has been made for purchasers who pos
sessed the financial ability to relieve the State
from its embarrassmentS. These have at last
been found in the Okeechohee Land Company,
organization composed of many OF the
heaviest capitalists of Philadelphia, and some
Of the Western States
The contract appears to be just and
favorable to both parties The State has
shaken off her old man of the mountain-haS
added at once a million of dollars to her taxa
bic property ard can forward Immediately the
various projected schemes of internal improve
ment
1t is to the interest of the purchasers, who
have made this heavy investment to realize as
soon as possible, and to procure early returns
upon the capital involved. To this end, no
time will be lost in effecting a rapid settlement
of their lands and they will soon be placed
upon the market. Not only viii settlers be
sought in this country but agents have already
gone to Europe to call the attention CT the i'm
migrants of that portion of the world to the
great and superior advantages and induce
ments of Florida.
Offices have been opened in New York and
philadelphia within easy reech of the great
tide of foreign immigration and efficient and
experienced agents are on hand to seize every
opportunity for securing settlers.
These lands will be sold on easy and accom-
modating terms, and there is every reason to
believe that they will speedily bs occupied by
an intelligent. industrious and enterpri ing
population In this company the State will
have an active and powerful corps Of coadju-
tors, impelled by the keen spur of self interest
to aid them in filling up the waste places fell
ing the forests, and advancing the march Of
civilization.
1t can readily be perceived that such an or
gaDzatian will be or the greatest possible value
to the future interests OF Florida. and will
prove an immense lever in elevaiiDg her to the
important position she is destined to occupy.
Lands to the amount of 3,434, 700 acres have
already been located. These lie chiefly in the
counties of Orange, Sumter Volusia, Marion,
Hillsborough, fernando, Polk, Manatee and
Monroe. AS -ome anxiety has been expressed
by the SQudtterS upon these lands, it is under
stood that they W II be allowed the privilege of
pu chasing the property they occupy at the
rate of 81 Is per acre, to be paid in Install
ments.
The lands will be graded, according to quail
tY and location, and will be put on the market
to actual settlers. as rapidly as the prelimina.
ry arrangements can be effected. Many of
them lie beneath the frost line and can be util
lied for the production of most of the fruits
and vegetables now grown in the West Indies
There can be no doubt but that the sale
which has been effected, will meet the hearty
concurrence of a large mai lrity of the inteui-
gent people Of the State, who will indoIse the
action of the trustees
learn from the Superintendent of the Okee
choice Drainage Company, Col l. Coryell.
that the machinery for the dredge boats to be
employed in draining the lake and digging
canals there and between Indian and st. Johns
rivers is now being manufactured in New Or
leans and will be delivered at this point about
the fifteenth instant. The dredge boats are to
be built in this city. and will be modelled after
those in use upon the lower Mississippi. They
will possess great power are after new
patent, and will work rapid and satisfactory
results.
The Okeechobee COMPANY has recently
leased the second and third stories of the
Freedman's Bank Building. corner of Pine and
Forsyth streets. which will be used for the va
rious offices required. Col. Coryell. the able
superintendent, Is up to his ears In business
and is amply qualified, in all respects, for
transacting his onerous and responsible duties
To those who heard the evidence in the Pat
terson murder case at Jasper, the verdict of
murder in the first degree rendered by the
jury was not unexpected. The evidence was
clear definite and conclusive, and no other
result seemed possible The jury was out only
hirtV min foc has a trial
and the expenses will amount to several thou
sand dollars.
No better argument against the common
and reprehens1ble practice of carrying con-
ceaied weapons can be given than by the re-
cent homicide at Jasper. Here were two
clever, valuable men-the one killed, the other
with a life time of remorse, in consequence Of
this horrid and unchristian habit. Two fam
lilies are plunged in affiiction, and another
stain is brought on the good name
that '0G public @'e sentiment should hiSn 'iP be
aroused on the matter, and leading men should
speak out boldly in condemnation of prac-
tice which SO frequently leads to boodshed
and misery. A pressure should be brought to
bear upon the next Legislature to secure the
passage of a law imposing heavy fine or i'm
prisonment, or both, upon all convicted Of this
grave offense. Means surely can be devised to
render this habit disgraceful, and effectually
to check its prevalence
PerrV's Brigade will hold their annual reun-
ion in Tallahassee on the 18th inst and Fin
ley S Brigade will meet in this city on the 9th
OF the present month. a II the survivors of
these commands should exert themselves to be
present and to meet their old comrades
The 4Lh will be very quietly observed in Jack
sonvllle. No steps have been taken for a gen
eral celebration. Besides il is entirely too hot
to get up parade or frolic Of any descrip-
tion
Pyramids OF watermelons occupy the side
walks. and at prices that bring them within the
range of the average Ethiopian, who is thereby
In an earthly paradise. WHB
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