davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-02-15

An act to enable pers IS whose lands were
sold for taxes assessed prior 10 the year 1877, TO
redeem the same
SECTION l. That the Commissioner of Lands
and immigration is directed to return the certif
icates of sale of all lands sold for taxes assessed
prior to the year 1877, and which were purchas-
ed by the State, 10 the County Commissioners of
the respective counties in which such sales were
made, provided such certificates have not been
transferred.
SEC. 2. The County Commissioners of such
county, upon the reception of said certificates
shall give notice through their clerk and by ad-
vertising thirty days in some newspaper published
in the county, or if there be no paper published
in the county then by notice posted at the Court
House door of said county, to the owner or agent
OF such lands, and the day on which they will
meet for the consideration of the same as herein
before provided
SEC. 8. Upon said day of meeting, the County
Commissioners, together with the Assessor and
Collector of Revenue, shall proceed to examine
the said certificates of SALE and if upon examina-
ton they shall find that the taxes assessed against
any such lands shall have been paid for the years
1877, 1878, 1879 and 1880, or shall then be so
paid to the Collector of Revenue for such wears.
then the certificate OF sale shall be returned 10
the owner or agent of the same.
SEC. f. III upon such examination they find
that the lands sold were properly and correctly
assessed, and taxes not paid as above, then the
Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners
shall endorse such fact the back of or alta oh il
TO said certificate, with the recommendation that
the same be placed on sale as other State lands:
but the certificates shall remain in the Office OF
the Clerk of the Circuit Court, subject 10 re-
demption for six months after the said examina-
tion after the expiration Of said time they shall
be forwarded TO the Commissioner of Lands and
immigration. iI
SEC. 3. The Commissioner of Lands and I'm
migration. on the reception of the certificates.
shall retain the same, subject to redemption until
the first day of January, 1888 after which time
he shall place the same on sale in his Office as
other State lands.
SEC. G. The County Commissioners, while sit.
ting as Board of Revisors, shall have full pow
er TO reduce assessments or make any other
correction, just TO the owner OF The land and not
detrimental to the interests Of the State.
SEC. Z All taxes received by The Collector OF
Revenue, on lands sold for such taxes and 50 ex-
amined by the County Commissioners, shall be
equally divided between the State and County,
and used by the same as State and county tax
proper.
The act has been approved and Is nova law
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-02-15
WASHINGTON LETTER.
INAUGURATION NOTES AND REnfrSIsCESCEs

INAUGURATION NOTES AND RESfrSIscEScEs.
Irregular Conuspondence) ~ !
WAsHrxoToE, d. c., Feb 5, 1881.
Not since the capital was founded amid these
now ice-locked swamps of the Potomac, has
there been such preparation for the Inauguration
Of President as now fills the streets houses
and air of Washington. The only thing neces-
sary to make the fete successful is weather, and
Il Ia to be feared that what the English call
Queens weather" cannot be obtained unless
we adjourn the ceremony until the Attn OF April
The 4lh of March il an historically clustering
day; day upon which the uncanny namesake
Of Mars delights 10. disport himself like lion.
General Grants frat Inauguration was disfayored
by the wintriest weather AT the ball which
celebrated the beginning of his second term,
ladies danced In seal skin jackets and muffs, or
in large circular cloaks, which completely hid
costumes into which the fair wearers had put all
their genius and all their heart. General Hayes
Inauguration was dsmally performed amid bone
piercing winds and under clouds as dark and
doubtful as the historic days that preceded it.
The advanced state of plans for ensuring The
success of the grand Inauguration ball, give the
best reasons fer believing that il will not only be
a magnificent spectacle, but also an enjoyable
occasion. The new National Museum building,
covering only trifle less than three acres, will
afford ample space for several thousand people,
without any one being uncomfortably crowded.
The heating apparatus is perfect, so that no lady
need fear to 90 there in full evening dress, for
in addition 10 the steam heat, there will then
be 5000 gas jets burning Yesterday afternoon
while the outside air was so cold, the lnte-
rior of that building thoroughly comforta-
ble The fact that there is only one grand APP
partment in the building. the subdivisions being
Termed by piers and segmental arches, ensures a
free circulation of air, as well as the unimpeded
movement OF the guests at the ball. The fres-
Goes will be completed b. March the 4th, and to
these permanent decorations will be added very
handsome temporary ones, including the shields
of the different States of the Union, and allegor-
ical representations of commerce, art, agriculture
etc. In the centre, Immediately beneath the
dome, will stand a statue of the Goddess of Lib
erty, fifteen feet in height, bearing torch Gen
eral Garfield and his wife, and ex-Presidents
Grant and Hayes and their wives will, it is
thought, stand in the centre of the rotunda, as
this will give all present the best opportunity oil
seeing and speaking TO them.
One hundred and fifty pieces of music. sta
toned in different parts OF the hall will play fol
the dancers There will be general reception
until eleven o'clock, and after that dancing as
late as The dancers please. II is now decided
that there will be supper served This will be
in temporary structure Immediately adjoining
the main building. Tickets for the ball are be-
ing rapidly sold at s. each.
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-02-15

The number Of complaints Of the irregularity
and ineniciency Of the mail service In Florida
and other Southern States Is increasing to an
alarming extent Nearly every paper one takes
up contains some brief allusion or extended
complaint, as to the delivery Of mail mat
ter A recent number Of the Waycross, Ga,
Reporter says:
The mails are not only very irregular for the
past month or two, but IL has become difficult
matter 70 get small amount Of money safely
through from one point TO another by them
There L something wrong somewhere; and the
authorities ct Washington should have the mat
ter investigated II Is seldom that q letter il
ever received through the posts routes, but what
the envelope has . slit In the end Of it. which we
have heard, Is made for the purpose Of inserting
. small wire instrument 10 feel for bills, they
beng sot and pliable Is easy Of detection, IL the
letter b found 70 contain money IL Il never
heard Of afterwards, II no money. Ii II allowed
to pass on to its destination"
The Tampa TJ5shs Of late date complains
that . the overland daily northern mail to this
place Is ftand on the people and swindle on
the Post Once Department L. there no RENE
dyr
Complaints are received 81 the FIoRIDrAx
once almost daily, tAat papers which are depoa-
tied In The Tallahassee post oice never reach their
destinailOn. The editorof the Siarke Telegraph
writes ~ that no copies Of the FLoREDiAx had
been received there fps several weeks, and many
Subscribers who hare friends 10 The Legislature,
writs thsm asking them 70 cali eur altsntioa 10
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-02-15

The bill which has been introduced Into the
Assembly by Mr.. Perry, of Monroe, providing
for change in municipal corporations appears
to be move in the right direction. This bill
divides the aldermen OF every Incorporated city
into two classes, and provides that they shall
hold Office two years, except one-half OF those
elected. whose term shall expire in one year.
This would make it necessary 70 elect only one
half the aldermen each year, the ether half hold.
ing over as one-half our Senators now do. The
object is TO always have experienced men, famil-
lar with the current business of the city in Office
-sacksonriue Union.
Such bill as the above represents may do
very well for large towns like Jacksonville, but
there are reasons for the belief that a change
every year in small town like Palatka Is of some
advantage Palatka Herald
And the same remark Is appropriate to other
small townar We think probably that the
great bulk Of the incorporated towns would pre-
fer the annual election system. Division into
wards may serve . better purpose In cities like
Key West, etc, but ANAL communities might
object 10 such divisions Unfortunately, the law
- construed by the Supreme Court requires all
statutes on such subjects as this to be uniform,
and while 1t might be beneficial to prescribe Ger
tain regulations a. to the division Of corpora.
tons into wards and prescribe terms Of once,
&C, In few cities. It d Questionable whether
the enactment OF such Law would be- advisable
when Il d remembered that the great bulk Of the
municipal corporations now existing became
such under an act which had no such require
ment
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-02-15

The people Of South Florida are deeply and
intensely interested in getticng road down The
peninsula ut the earliest practicable time. Hew
to get it has been the problem for . long time,
and has not only given rise TO much talk. but
has also given rise TO number Of railroad
schemes and projects which look very well on
paper and win do to blow about; but un-
fortunately just as we think things are fixed and
something is about to be done, some unexpected
difficulty with the Internal Improvement Fund
lands obtrudes itself as barrier, and the result
Is we find ourselves as far of as ever. Such
has been the history Of all railroad projects FOR
the last three years, and unless some new de-
parture il made, such ID likely TO continue the
case so long as the Internal Improvement Fund
remains involved and tied up in the U. s. Court
of the Northern District of Florida.
How these complications arose and who is re-
sponsible and TO blame fer them is an old story
with which the public lie tolerably well familiar,
and therefore need not be repeated In these col
umns. What TO do under the circumstances to
get the road, and how this can be best accom-
plished, are the questions which should address
themselves to the present Legislature and Gov
After much study of our Internal Improve
ment Fund difficulties, and the little probability
OF its ACKNOWLEDGMENT at an early day that
lands can be granted in fee to railroad companies
as . subsidy for their construction, it appears 10
US that something might be done towards the
completion of the original railroad system pro-
jected by the Internal Improvement Act of 1856
by recurring TO the method provided for in this
act, of the Trustees guaranteeing the interest on
the bonds issued by companies organized to CON-
plete the original lines TO Pensacola and Tampa.
1t this way only does it seem practicable to pro-
vide for the early construction of these much
desired roads through South and West Florida.
| The present incumbrance on the Internal I'm
| provement Fund is Insignificant compared TO its
magnitude and value and there can hardly be
doubt of the bonds being really floated at a
good price, provided the Legislature will take
the initiative steps towards relieving the Fund OF
its present incumbrance. 1t is very evident
that the lands constituting this Internal Improve
ment Fund, will be greatly enhanced in value
| by largely increased demand for them by the
completion of these roads; and it is, moreover,
not improbable that the demand would be so
great as not only to prevent the bonds being any
additional incumbrance, but be q means of ma
terially assisting the State in relieving itself of
any embarrassment she might experience in as
Stunning the present Indebtedness of the Fund by
Constitutional Amendment as has been pro-
posed.
We throw out these ideas for the consideration
of the Legislature for what they are worth, with
the hope that its craftsmanship may prove suffi
Gent to make positive and decided step in the
direction of supplying South and West Florida
with the extension and completion of the roads
contemplatedin 1855
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-02-15

The Florida Dispatch Line has advertised
that the A c. and W. l. T. Company having
turned al freights for Eastern points by Fernan-
dina. the Florida Dispatch Line can no longer
get any business of their road unless il is shipped
r4Te Il Agent Florida Central R. R., Baldwin.
-General Sanfords letter about the Madison
asair, which appeared in the Union of Saturday,
and which is open 10 the objection of being too
partisan in Us view of the matter, has been ably
answered BY two correspondents of the same
paper. whose communications appeared in the
issue Of sunday, and to which we shall give
attention hereafter.
u r. T.. in the Augusta Chronicle, says: Bis
bee, who supplanted Hull, Of Florida, the other
day bas s speech in the Record of this morning
He spoke few words on the Yeates Martin affair,
snd then published long attack upon the De-
nlocrscy. a eulogy of Southern Republicans like
himself and closed by advising Mr.. Garfield 10
Il sislEsri and make the party and Bisbee
happy This is the way that some speeches that
fhriI lie rursl population are made-in the
Rr5rE
A statement likely 10 attract wide attention
i made by the Portland Press in an article
o7pOsiDg movement TO give additional strin-
gency 10 The Maine prohibitory liquor law. II
ssys that during the twenty years that that law
has been in operation there has been an alarm
fne increase in crimes of kind usually attrbu-
I'D 10 drunkenness, and that at this time there
sre more drinking saloons in Portland than ever
before. On The authority Of Neal Dow the
number i given as 100.
Stanley Matthews is having hard time in
getting confirmed as Associate Justice of the
supreme Court. The latest sumner in the shape
d a remOnsirance was forwarded from New
Tork q week ago d" Dy the President and Secre-
isrF u The New York Board of Trade and Trans
po-tafion, in behalf of eight hundred business
Arms. members Of the board, to the Judiciary
Committee Of the United States Senate, protest
Ing sgAinst The confirmation Of Hon. Stanley
Nz-theEs as Judge Of the Supreme Court"
The Philadelphia Times thus notices the re-
port Of Superintendent Haisley: "The annual
report Of W P. Hsisley, Superintendent of Pub
nc distraction in Florida, is an interesting docu-
meui for The friends OF education TO study. With
a otaltaxabIe property in the State of $50 704,
30 or not one-fleenIh the taxable pror ery the
city Of Philadelphia, $40. 60 have been ex-
pended during The last year for school purposes;
] $50 schools have been maintained, and 46 t4lO
white and a .099 black children have been If
fOrded equal educational facilities The people
q al the Southern States are now fully alive 10
The importance OF the general education of both
races. and they are spending vastly more for the
purpose. in proportion to their resources, than
are The people Of he North"
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-02-15

David Davis, according to one who has been
admitted 10 bis confidence, feels apprehensive
about the inroads Of corporate interests upon the
Se1ate, and believes that it will not be many
ye1rs before the spirit Of John c. Calhoun viii
drive John Browns soul out of New England
and install the oracle and covenant Of State SOW
reigniy in ErcAGnae.
La z.y question arise touching their interests,
and The people Of New England, says the Boston
Hsruld. viii soon show that they belive in State
rights Is thoroughly As any Of their fellowciti-
zens in fhe Union. The South and East may be
obliged 10 unite, in the not distant future, TO de-
End State rights against the assaults Of the impe
nal West. Most Of the eastern and southern
STATES we're independent States before they were
paris Of The Union The western States have
10 traditions Of such period, but are creations
q Tie republic The former naturally believe in
State nghz The latter know or care little
akuuf hem
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-02-15
IMMIGRANT.

Below We give the substance of same oil the
acts passed by the Legislature, and signed by
the Governor:
An act 10 define the boundary line between
the counties of Leon and jefferson.
The boundary line between the counties of
Leon and jefferson in this State shall be al fol-
lows, to-wit: Commencing at the point On the
Gulf OF Mexico where the line between ranges
two and three, east, strikes the coast; thence
north on said line to the basis parallel thepce
in direction northeast TO the point where sec
tons iweniy-one, twenty eight and twenty-nine
OF township one range three, north and east
corner; thence in a line north to where it inter
secis the line between townships one and. two
OF range three. north and east; thence east on
said line 10 the waters of the MiccOsukie,. and
thence pursuing the line heretofore established
An act to authorize the Circuit Courts OF this
State to convict and sentence criminals in. Ger
tain cases. :
When any person is tried in any Circuit Court
OF this State for an offense of which such Circuit
Court has original jurisdiction, and such person
is found 10 be guilty of any lesser ofense, iacu-
ded in the Offense for which indictment or Lni0r-
nation is fled against him, and for which be Is
being tried and is not found guilty OF the grsater
tffense, he may be convicted in said COURT
and sentenced for such lesser offense, thought
be an offense of such q nature rs would come
originally within the jurisdiction Of an inferior
court.
An act for the benefit OF sheep raisers, and for
the protection of sheep and other stock againss
dogs
/. an owners OF dogs shall be held liable and
responsible for damages 10 sheep or other stock
killed or MANNED by their dogs.
2. Damages thus established may be sneq 20
and Judgment obtained in any court having
jurisdiction OF the amount estabiished
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-02-15

Let 1t not be forgotten that Amendments to
the Constitution passed and adopted at the pres
ent session Of the Legislature, and submitted to
and adopted by the Legislature TO be elected
next year, may be submitted 10 the people for
ratification in 1883 as soon after the meeting Of
the General Assembly in that year as may be
deemed advisable. Thus in less than two
years and a hall, or thereabouts the amendments
may become part and parcel of the Constitution.
This will be speedy and inexpensive mode of
making such changes as may be desirable. The
Constitution of 1888, (Which, by the way, was
adopted or ratified by scratch , fixed no sal
aries, but left that matter to the Legislature The
State was admitted into the Union in 1916, and
from July of that year up to 1859 the salary OF
the Governor was 81 500, but in 1881 an act was
passed allowing him $500 for house rent. In
1859 another act was passed fixing the salary for
the incoming Governor at $500, TO include
house rent After tho war, the Convention
which met in 1855 and framed the Constitution
of that year fixed the salary at 5000 The Con.
stitution OF 1858 made the salary 5000, but an
amendment adopted in 1871 reduced ii TO $500
at which 1t now stands. The Committee on
Constitutional Amendments will report an
amendment reducing the salary still further.
The salaries of the Judges of the Circuit Courts
were fixed at $4,000 under the cid Constitution
and this pay continued up to 1853. In 1851, or
thereabouts,a separate Supreme Court was es-
tablshed, the Justices of which receiving the
same pay as the Circuit Judges. In 1859, how
ever, the salary Of both classes was made q, 500
Under the present Constitution the salary OF the
Chief Justice was originally fixed at $500
and that OF The Associate Justices at 1900; the
Circuit Court Judges received each $500 In
1871 these salaries were reduced 10 $4,000 for
the Supreme Court and $500 for the Circuit
Court Judges BY the same amendment the sal
aries Of the cabinet officers were reduced from
200 to $4,000 each per annum. Il 10 contem.
plated now we believe TO make the salaries g.
500 for al Judges and probably TO reduce those
Of some Of the cabinet officers
These brief statements a. 10 salaries win prove
interesting a this lime when 30 much is being
said on the subject
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-02-15

CnAwronpsy1II.E. 81 Iannarp a

CHARLOTTESVILLE, FLA, January 3ist
Editor Florididn feel so grateful at The
appointment of our noble Senator, Hon. ]. L.
Crawford, Of the 9TH Senatorial District OF Flori
da, to the honorable position ofSecretary If State
that must, If allowed, say that in my opinion
and judgment our highly appreciated Governor
could have made no better selection in the State.
While we feel keenly the loss of noble Sena.
;or, we feel proud to know that he fills All Office
Of great importance to the State, and that he il
eminently qualified for all of its most orduous
duties. 1t is unpleasant to look back for1s years.
The 4 last excepted and mediate upon the char.
acter of the men who came from distant climes
TO ill the important offices of our beloved State,
while those who were justly entitled, hat no lot
nor part in the matter We feel proud of the
State ticket, and all the appointments so far
The influence and kindness of Senator Crawford
will long be remembered. We wish him long,
useful and happy life here, and when this life's
duties are done, may he have a safe transport 10
fairer world on high. Though he did not
choose to practice medicine for the pasi several
years, yet he never refused TO go when abe and
was ever ready to impart a word of comfort, and
administer to the necessities Of the afflicted and
all those in distress. Peace, joy and happiness
to Gov. Bloxham and his Cabinet Respectfully.
81 r.
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-02-15

The waters of the Chattahoochee and Apalach-
icola rivers have been rising rapidly for several
days, and have now assumed the proportions Of
perfect food. The Moore is the only steam
boat below Fort Gaines bridge. the others being
unable 10 come down. The storm of last week
was very violent, the fall of rain at and west OF
the river, being the heaviest known for years
The Moore reached Ocheesee on its way down
the river, and was compelled to return on ac-
count of the furious storm of wind. The river
bottoms are crowded with immense numbers of
cattle which are drowning as the water rises, the
deepest water being next the hills at the back
side of tie bottoms. The losses of stock will be
immense.