Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-03-30

JACKSONVILLE, March 29.-There are several
other subjects referred to in Gov. Bloxham's s
late interview with the New Orleans Times
Democrat, to which public attention should be
directed. With regard to education he states
that there are now more than 1900 schools in
operation. These are established at every
point where sufficient number of pupils can
be obtained, and are kept open just as long as
the revenue will permit. The late school CEN
sus showed "a, ,528 children Of school ages within
the State, Of whom 44.52a were white and 90 900
colored. The people are generally in favor Of
national appropriation in aid of education.
and the special school taxes are cheerfuIly
paid.
Speaking of politics, the Governor thinks
that there is but slight prospect at present Of
an Independent movement, and that aLy such
combination would derive but slight support
even from Republicans. There have been very
few complaints Of violence or intimidation
within the past two years, and the masses of
the people are satisfied with the rapid progress
made by the State in material development
AS rule, the negroes take as much interest as
they formerly did In politics, although a good
many of that race now vote with the Demo
Gratis.
The question of free trade or protection is
but little discussed, but the people of Florida
will warmly support the improvement OF the
Mississippi river, as it is hoped that some day
there will be a barge or ship canal across this
State, that will practically make Florida the
outlet for the products OF our great Western
valley.
AS to the colored population, the Governor
thinks there is gradual improvement.
Only few, however, accumulate property,
is insignificant. They encourage education
among their children, but they furnish no evil
dence Of greater thrift and industry,
The financial condition of the State Is entirely
mofS lfalaf
by the Treasurer, while the bonds Of the State
are considerably above par, and are regarded
as very desirable Investments. There is no
floating debt, and the amount of the bonded
debt is only 81, 900, more than half Of which
is in funds belonging to the State The interest
is promptly met and the assessed valuation of
property reaches $36. .69l 1923. The rate of taxa
tion is seven mills on the dollar, and the taxes
are paid promptly, although there is some
complaint of the want of equality and uni
formity in assessments
There is but one asylhm-that for the insane.
This institution contains one hundred and thr-
teen inmates: is well managed, and has an an
nual appropriation of $25, 600 The State CON
victs, numbering about two hundred, are leased
to contractors, who relieve the State of all ex-
penses connected with their care and custody
Most Of the offenses for which they are incar-
cerated are crimes against property, and about
five-sixths Of the culprits are colored.
A growing tendency Is manifested towards
small farms and diversified farming. There is
a noticeable increase in the production of vepe-
tables. and the day is not far distant when
most of the early supplies of such articles will
be furnished from Florida In the cotton belt
most OF the work done is ON the share or rent
system, which has not been found satisfac-
tory, and faost of those who still work on the
credit plan are found among the cotton
growers. The vegetable and fruit producers
manage their affairs on a cash basis and hire
their workmen,
The increase in population is largely white.
and can be set down at ninety thousand in the
last ten years. Many negroes have gone and
are still going out Of the State to work on rail-
roads.
Probably from $1,000 900 to $4,000 900 are
invested in the orange industry, some OF the
groves containing 10000 trees. From roo to
l.OOO oranges to the tree may be regarded as an
average yield, and the fruit brings about SIS
per thousand Some groves net the owners
81 600 to the acre. Oranges can be grown any
where In the State with suitable cultivation
and proper protection against frost, and they
require intelligent care and attention. While
the groves are coming to maturity the land
they occupy can be pFoftably cultivated in
garden products. and can be used for sheep
doing the business and Cutting the
market. The home demand has never
been met, and quite recently
shipments have been successfully made to
Furope. where our oranges are greatly
esteemed Seven hundred and seventy-one
million Of foreign oranges were consumed in
this country in 1879 in addition to the Florida
crop Of 5000, 0oO 1t will be seen therefore
ply and demand, and that it win be many
years before the price Of our oranges will he
materially lessened. Insect enemies are NOT
as numerous as formerly, and are now readily
controlled. The tree will bear productivity
for hundred years or more, and there is one
in the State eighty years old that still yields
enormously.
Such is brief summary Of the valuable In
formation given in the Governors able article.
which. as have said, should be widely dis
seminated as conveying an immense amount
of accurate and important data in short com
pass 1t is an admirable contribution 10 the
present history Of the State ami should be sent
TO all prospective immigrants.
Each and all OF the many readers of the
MORNING NEWsl in Florida will share in the
profound regret occasioned by the death of
Colonel Thompson. For more than a genera
tion, he has been intimately associated with
that Journal, and his labors have been greatly
instrumental In raisipg that paper to the lofty
rank which it occupies. In this State he had
many warm personal friends and an army of
admirers. While but q youth he Bhouldered
his musket and enlisted as private In one of
the volunteer companies raised to protect the
then Territory OF Florida against the ravaQes
of the savage 6eminoles, From that time to
the end OF his useful and valuable life he
always manifested O deep Attachment
to this State. and his graceful and
eloquent pen was never more cheerfuIIy and
willingly employ ed than When engaged ia por