Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-21


for the State, for the year ending last Septem-
ber, may possess some interest.
The total number OF public schools are 1,131,
an increase of 244 during the past three years.
while the accessions to the pupils therein ag-
gregate s, 1s2. The sum Of S114, 1896 was expend-
cd for school purposes for the year preceding
last September, Duval county paying the larg-
est amount, and Baker the least Columbia con-
tains more, and Franklin fewer schools than
any other county.
The school census for 1880 shows that there
are In the State 46, ,410 white and 42, ,0o9 negro
children, between the ages of four and twenty
one.
Mr. Haisley, after making extended re-
marks upon various recommendations, sum-
marizes them as follows:
First. That the rate OF county school tax be
restored to five mills, the amount assessed
previous to 1879.
Second. The limiting Of instruction in schools
operated at the public expense to tho common
school branches.
Third. The granting of special charters to
cities under which tax may be imposed for
the support Of high schools.
Fourth AS a means OF increasing school
revenue ID, the application of the per capita
tax to school purposes. and the makiBg its
payment prerequisite to the right of suffrage
% the requirement OF license tax from
persons carrying concealed weapons.
Fifth That the County Superintendents be
required to take the school census instead of
the Assessors, as Is now the case, and that the
law be made more definite as to the fund from
which the compensation for this work shall be
paid.
Sixth. That only those who have had actual
experience in teaching be eligible to the office
OF County Superintendent of Schools
Seventh. That county boards of public in
struction be constituted in such manner as to
represent both political parties, and, in those
counties where the colored element Is large,
both races: Provided, always that a majority
Of such board be in harmony with the admin-
stration.
DR.. f. NJ McMeekin, member Of the As
sembly from Putnam, is a native of South
Carolina, and was born In Union district, of
that State. i'll 1880. He had the misfortune to
lose his parents before attaining the age of nine
years. Ia 1855 he graduated at the South Caro-
lima Medical College, and moved to Florida in
1857, locating in Putnam county.
At the beginning of the late war he volnn-
teered in the Confederate service. and held the
rank of Lieutenant. He was one of the hand
ful of men who surrendered with General Lee
at Appomattox.
Returning to bis home after the close OF the
struggle. utterly impoverished, he abandoned
the practice OF medicine and put his hands
reeOlutely to the plow. In this occupation he
has been fairly successful.
He represented his county in the Senate dur
ing the sessions of 1877 and 1879 with credit
and ability, and was reelected in 1880 to the
Assembly.
He is solid, working, industrious member
In the discharge of his duties. and bearing
high character for honesty and integrity.
The bill for the establishment of State
University with a normal department. has
failed in the Senate. 1t provided for the con-
solidation OF all the property, debts and funds
belonging to the Agricultural College and the
East and West Florida Seminaries. Thirty
nine scholarships were to be endowed, allow
ing $3.50 to each.
The contemplated Bureau Of Agriculture has
also been indefinitely postponed. 1t was as
certained by the committee in charge Of the
subject that such an institution could not he
organized at less expense than $40, ,00Q and
the project was abandoned.
bill has just passed the Senate forbidding
the catching of shad in this State between sun
down Saturday afternoon and sun rise Monday
morning of each week.
This accompanies double purpose in com
pelliDg the observance Of the Sabbath. and
permitting the fish to run up to the head
waters of the rivers
violation Of this law subjects the
offender to q fine not less than |
twenty five and not more than one
and fishing tackle, and to imprisonment not |
less than ten nor more than thirty days.
Philip Phillips, the celebrated singer, had q
fine audience last Tuesday night His vocal /
powers are as yet undiminished.
Two OF the committee that visited the con- |
vict camp in Duval county were SO unfortunate |
as to contract the measles
The report Of that committee was very |
favorable as to the general condition, appear
ance, discipline and health of the prisoners. |
The committee made careful inspection of |
every matter involved, and were well satisfied
with the survey. The report was unanimously
favorable. The present number of prisoners Is |
las, and only two were on the sick list
An article that appeared In the Tampa ri
bu9te OF the 18th inst led to the Appointmeut |
OF committee on the part Of the Assembly to
determine the tfuth or falsity Of the charges |
therejn specified.
The allegations set forth that the members |
nfxrl Nod 4,&1
rangemeut with the county officers for a divi-
sion OF the profits to be derived from their |
respective ofnces The committee are author
lied TO Eend for persons and papers and to |
examine witnesses under oath.
SerReant-at-Arms Gonzalez, of the Assembly,
has been ordered to procaed TO Tampa and |
bring back Or. J. 7, Wall. editor of the 9Ti- |
btsne. for the purpose of obtaining his testi- |
mony.
The ladies Of the Methodist Church gave an |
last night, which was well at |
wife, anda large number of the |
citizens and members of the Legislature. All |
OF the various tables were cleared of their /
coutents. and the fair managers certainly had |
reason to be aatistied with the result. One of |
the venerable Judges of the Supreme Court |
caGt a line twice into the fishing pool and had |
the good luck to capture red herring and a /
penny trumpet, which spoils he generously |
turned over to the first African youth he en- /
countered.
The bill incorporating the railroad from PEN
sacola to the Chattahoochee river reached its
third reading in the Senate yesterday and
passed by q vote of seventeen ayes to seven /
nays. 1t excited warm and protracted dis
cussion, the opposition on the part Of several
from the east being based on the
opinion that the aid asked for In the way of
and grants was greater than was necessary
Tor the enterprise.
The appropriations obtained amount to about
nix millions Of acres of the land available for
Internal Improvement purposes. AS a return.
he company proposes to pay one half of the
1ebt now outstanding against the internal inn
fund, which action will relieve the |
board to the amount of nearly half a million |
iollars.
The famous liquor bill, with numerous
lmendmants proposed by the Assembly, has
ioR has been fixed for Thursday of next week
Did citizens here say that there has been less
dissipation among the members of this than
a previous Legislatures. There shouldn't be
my, OF course, but it is gratifying to know |
hat there is an Improvement in this resuect |
The Assembly have found tt necessary to
loid three night sessions this week to catch
trough with its work more rapidly, being
Lnaler Dedy and containing q larger proper.
ION OF members possessing experiences =
Mr.. Rgss Of Madison, has b..
y the. Supreme Court 10 .Sen appointed
Eat "a pace relatlye ," ne rscent mnr1er f a.
q the sssass -. Eagan has been remanded
gas -0ay OF the Sheriff of this county
evidence will be considered by the above
tribunal next Thursday. Anagreement to this
effect has been entered into by the attorney for T
The State and prisoner
Colonel Coryell, the originator of the project
Tor draining Lake Okechobee and constructing
The canal to extend from that lake to the
mouth Of the st. Johns river, is in the city He
IS chook full OF zeal and energy, and has Just
returned from a trip to Philadelphia to arrange
al the preliminar1es for this great enterprise.
Colonel Davidson, In replying TO the late
speech of Colonel Bisbee. winds up In the fol- 1
owing truthful language:
And now. Mr.. Speaker. in conclusion, must
gay that the attack made on me and the |
Democrats of my State by Mr. Bisbee was 1
unwarranted Why did he make