Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-01-10
Message Of Gov. BlOxham to the
FIorida legislature,

Message Of Gov. BlOxham to the
Florida Legislature.
We have received by mail copy of
the message delivered to the present
Florida Legislature, at the opening of its
session, by Governor Bloxham. 1t was
prepared by Ex-Governor Drew, and is
really a review of his administration,
coupled with such suggestions as expert
.ence has taught him would be wise. 1t
was adopted and Endorsed by Governor
Bloxham, however, and he recommends
it to the careful attention of the Legis-
lature
1t is quite lengthy and comprehen-
sive document, treating of all matters of
public interest to the citizens of our
neighboring State. 1t begins by show
ing the financial condition of the State.
1t shows a total floating debt up to the
1st inst. of S31, ESQ SO, while the de-
ficiencies for the year 1879 and 1880
are $33, 100 10, the total expenses of
the State having been for the
former year $215, 047 s., and for the lat
ter $167, 755 81. These deficiencies were
anticipated, and the last Legislature was
asked to provide for them by proper
taxation, but failed to do so. The Gov
ernor suggests that to avoid them in
future law, similar to that of Georgia,
be adopted. giving to the Governor and
Comptroller power to raise the necessary
sums by taxation for the support of the
State after the assessments are com
pleted.
The bonded debt of the State Is shown
to be 81, 285, 26O which is invested in
sinking funds, school funds, seminary
funds and agricultural funds, with an
amount in the hands of private parties
Of 1851 900. This shows a decrease in
the bonded debt during Governor Drew's
administration of $685. Besides these
bonds there is held by the Indian trust
fund Of the United States, bonds of the
State amounting to $132, 900 with in
terest AS an Offset to this, however,
the State has claim against the United
States for a much larger sum,
being monies advanced by the
State to the General Government to
meet the expenses of the Indian
war. Governor Drew, during his ad-
ministration, endeavored to have this
account with the Federal Government
settled, and a resolution to that effect is
at this time pending in Congress. The
credit of the State is in a very fine con.
dition and has greatly improved during
the past four years. The six per cent.
bonds, then worth eighty cents on the
dollar, are now scarce at par, while the
seven per cent. bonds. then worth ninety
four cents on the dollar, are hard to be
obtained for one hundred and six. 1t is
specially recommended that law be
passed allowing the Treasurer of the
State to enter the market and purchase
bonds at their face value.
The Governor also recommends that
an uniform system of taxation be adopt
ed. Under the present system the taxes
are not equalized, and the honest man
and the State are both imposed upon,
since great many INSCRIPTIONS tax
payers return their property at much
less than its true value. Thus, since the
proper revenue must be raised, the hon
est citizen pays more than his share of
taxes, and the State is defrauded of
large sums. 1t is recommended. to OBJ
viate this difficulty, that law be passed
requiring the County Commissioners of
each county to appoint two appraisers
to accompany the Assessor on his rounds,
and, with him, fix a valuation on all
lands, which valuation shall be final, and
shall stand for four years.
Regarding public lands, the message
states that soon after entering on his
office, Governor Drew discovered that
there was large amount of swamp and
overlooked lands belonging to the State,
for which the General Government had
never issued patents. These he investi-
gated. and as result, there have been
patented and turned over to the State
3, 761, $50 S7-100 acres of such lands A
large amount of land sold for taxes is yet
uuredeemed, and it is recommended that
the time for such redemption be extended
to January 1st, 1882.
A very important recommendation
concerning homestead entries is made in
this message. As the law now stands,
the settler upon public lands is required
to pay the full amount Of purchase
money in cash. Many squatters now
upon these lands are unable to meet their
payments, and, in consequence, while
draining the soil of its fertility, pay
nothing to the State, and make no per
manent Improvements. To avoid this
waste of land and actual loss, as well as
to make of these squatters useful citizens,
it is recommended that the law be chang
ed so that every settler or intending set
tier upon State land for a homestead of
100 acres or less, be allowed to pay for
it in three installments-one-third Of