Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-03-05
LETTER FROM TALLAHASSEE.

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LETTER FROM TALLAHASSEE,
had POlicy-TxEO Good Bills Killed
I'm the A Assembly-The Amendments
Go Through the Senate-The Big
Drainage Bili-Evfdences OF Public
COnfidence-The Contractors Mean
Business-They Propose Soon 20
Commence the work.
TALLAHASSEE, March IA great mistake was
committed yesterday by the Assembly in fail
ing to pass the bill for the promotion Of immi-
grafton, This was an important plank in the
Democratic platform of the last campaign,
and the failure of the bill will create great dis
appointment along the country washed by the
st. Johns river.
1t Is taking long stride backward aud if to
be regarded as in the interests of economy, a
most lamentable error
The bill organizing an agricultural bureau
also came to grief in the same wing Of the
Legislature, being laid on the table, which as
the session closes tomorrow means itS defeat
very mistaken policy.
The constitutional amendments alluded to In
my last have all been adopted by the Senate
except that in relation to the Supreme Court,
which did not receive a two-thirds vote,
To show the popularity of Col. Coryells and
associates contract with the State for the
drainage or South Florida, would saw that
Col. Coryell arrived in this city on Thursday of
last week, and on Friday had introduced in the
House bill for a SPECIAL charter On Satur.
day it passed the House, and was sent over to
1t was taken up and referred to committee,
reported on favorably, and during the evening
session Of Monday came up for its second read
ing, and under suspension of the rules passed
third .SnNr Pr<v
It's introduction to final passage. This bill is
for the organization and allowing the Atlantic
and East Coast Canal and Okeechobee Land
Company" which is the title Of the bill To
merge into its organizat alton the contract made
with the State and the East Coast Canal Com
pany, which has its charter under the general
laws of the State; also, to purchase the fran
chises of other companies having charters
which may be necessary to them in the great
work they have before them.
The prompt manner in which these parties
made their i've Thousand doll ars money deposit
with the State Treasurer has given positive
assurance that they mean business. The con-
tract as made by the trustees OF the internal
improvement fund meets with the hearty and
cordlal lndorsement OF the representatives Of
the people of this State, now assembled here.
They see in the acts of Colonel Corr ell and his
associates assurances of a bold and energetic
movement to begin the work at the earliest
practicable moment. The charter will be sent
to Philadelphia, where nearly all the
parties in interest live, and an or
ganization under thei charter will at
once be made, capital paid, and work
commenced by the construction of several
dredging machines which will do all the work
A part of the dredgers will be placed on Okee-
chobee and part on the coast canal and both
works be going on at the same time 1t is said
Col. Cory ell will go to New Orleans to witness
the work of an improved dredger, found, by
over years test, to be the most efficient now
In use. The machinery will be made at some
point outside the State and brought here. The
in the immediate vicinity of the work
That for Okeechobee will possibly be made
on Lake Kissimmee to insure the getting Of the
dredge into the lake should low water prevail
this summer. The dredge for Okeechobee will
be steamboat build, with stern wheel for pro.
peling power and large enough to have capa-
city for the comforts of two sets of hands, for
they intend running the dredge night and day
steamboat tender, on Lake Okeechobee
will be indispensable. While it may take some
time to get all this necessary machinery built
and in position. when once there, the work will
go on rapidly and effectively.
If they have no serious delays In getting up
the dredging machinery, it is thought the
steamboat route from St. Augustine south to
the lower end OF Indian river will have
steamboat running by the first of December
next, and be able to give our thousands of
Northern visitors the opportunity Of tour on
the east coast to point so far south they can
see the pine and the cocoanut growing under
a tropical sun. Our best informed citizens all
agree that this contract and contemplated re-
demption of the south end of our State will
produce more favorable results than can pos
sibly be imagined by the most enthusiastic in
the welfare and prosperity of our State. One
OF two things certain, it will be an immense
success or contemplate failure If success
full the State shares in the success; if failure
it costs the State nothing.
1t cannot be a failure, with the fact known
that the fall Is sufficient to DRAIN and we all
know water will run down hill. The parties at
the head of this work are too shrewd to at
tigated and are satisfied Men and means
will accomplish the work, and will furnish
both to do it under Colonel Coryells indomta-
BILE perseverance. That this contract will re-
dound to the great credit of the Board
or the Internal Improvement is con-
ceded by all, and that Governor Bloxham
must be congral ulated on the fact that he has
commenced his career as Governor with a
prospect of seeing during his administration
an improvement that will produce inealculable
results in inducing an emigration that will
tell largely in the future
The mere fact of the making of the contract
with parties Of such high character and repu-
tation has already been spread broadcast over
the United States, and the attention and re-
marks upon the fact as found in every promi-
nent paper in the country directs especial at
tention to Florida. 1t has also caused stir in
Europe that cannot fail to direct the attention
OF emigrants seeking q home in the United
States, and may prove of vast Importance in
directing thousands towards our State, espe-
cially from countries growing products similar
to those grown here. Already parties from
Cuba have been writing for information In re-
gard to the fact of these lands being peculiarly
adapted to the growing of sugar cane.
The jute question is exciting enquiries from
parties in New York, who are large importers
of that India product 1t is to be hoped the
most Sanguine expectations of the bold men
who have dared place their capital in so great
an enterprise may reap q rich reward, and as
/ said before they carry with them the best
wishes Of the people of our State for their sue
cess. Capital and enterprise is what
we invite, and that win make our
State. Our earnest hope is that
this enterprise may develop others that will
be taken hold of by energetic parties in the
North. IL is to be expected the lead of these
capitalists of Philadelphia will be followed by
others. 1t seems to be acknowledged by
those best posted in regard to this swamp re-
gion, that it is feasible undertaking, and
must result In immense profit to both State
and contractors. $50 mote it be. -
The Governor to-day sent in a veto of the
Senate bill providing for the removal of the
capital His objections were based on consti-
tuuional grounds. The veto was sustained by
q decided vote.
A recess was taken in the Assembly this
morning for the purpose of q presentation to
Col Cottrell of a handsome cane, and Of val
liable watch chain to Speaker Harris The ad-
dtesSes and responses were in good taste, and
were couched in appropriate language
There will be desperate effort made to ad-
Journ to morrow in time to permit the members
living in East and South Florida to take the
train. HB