Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-02-09

JACKSONVILLE, FLA February s.-The Union
of last Sunday contained a special dispatch to
the effect that Sir Edward ]. Reed had on the
previous day purchased from the trustees the
Jacksonville, Pensacola and Mobile Rairoa d,
and that the final deed of transfer had been
executed and delivered. This trans action
places the AngIo.Dutch syndicate in undispu-
ted possession of the two great lines of rail
road that form the system as originally pro-
jected, viz the route from this city to Chat
tahoochee, distance exceeding two hundred
miles, and now being extended westward to
Pensacola, with which prolongation
it will doubtless be in full ac-
cord and maintain close relations,
and also the West India Transit, from
Fernandina to Cedar Keys, with branch from
Waldo to Ocala, and thence southwardly to
Tampa, with branch to Indian River. so that
the syndicate now control over four hundred
miles of railroad, of the standard gauge. pene
trating the most populous and productive por-
tions of the State. Whatever the roads may
require in the shape of new rails, rolling stock
or general repairs will be supplied Immediately.
as it is the intention of the new purchasers to
have everything in ship-shape order and Of the
best quality.
We have the assurance that the roads will be
managed with a view to promote the best in
terests of the people of Florida. 1t is to be
hoped that the causes of complaint which have
heretofore existed will be entirely removed
or so far modified that they will no longer be
regarded as burdensome, and that the roads
will be conducted in that broad, liberal spirit
which, while it gives satisfaction to the COM
muuity, will prove profitable to the company
1t is a matter of profound congFatulation
that the lengthy and vexatious litigation that
h1c tn retarded
Florida consumed the time of the courts, and
exhausted the patience or the people, has
been finally happily adjusted, and that the pre-
sent owners of the property in question are
men OF wide views, enterprising and progress
sive, and entirely free from the petty local
jealousies that have heretofore damaged busi
ness, and interfered with the comfort and con-
venience of the travelling public
As general thing the people are looking for
good results from the change and the mer-
chants of Jack onville and Fernandina are
hopeful, and with good reason too. for an
increase of their business throughout the inte
rior. If the rates of local freight are redrced,
as they should be. and doubtless ill be, the
result must be beneficial to the merchants OF
the above named cities.
Jacksonville is now able to supply several
varieties of bulky and heavy goods, as 'ow as
they can be purchased elsewhere, with the
freight added Her lumber trade gives her
remarkable facilities in this respect Most of
the vessels chartered for a load of lumber to
any Northern port, receive freight at New
York Philadelphia or Boston for this city, at
very low figures. and the rates on hardware,
furniture and heavy groceries are merely nom-
inal. This city can now compete successfully
with Savannah and Charleston in the lines of
goods mentioned. In other lines also, such as
haV, grain, bricks, lime, ETC., Jacksonville is
mistress of the situation. cur noble river,
whose banks are inhabited by q thriving ana
Industrious population, will always obtain its
supplies from this city, and Jacksonville is
daily extending her borders and occupying
new territory,
The merchants of this city are live, wide.
awake fellows, and understand the true secret
of sttractiug custom. During the approach
ing State Fair advantage will be taken of the
occasion to invite larger number of the mer-
chants of the interior to visit the city Every
thing will be done to render the visit pleas
ant and agreeable to the guests and profitable
to the hosts The strangers will be shown all
the lions !; will be honored with fine banquet;
toasted and complimented and. will be given
to understand that stocks are full and goojs at
low figures. But joking aside, the idea is
good one, and will be of service to a. parties.
1t is very odd to hear of twelve inches Of
snow at Washington and points further South,
while here we are reveling in clear skies, soft
breezes, springiDg grass and blooming flowers.
The mercury has fallen as low as 30 degrees
but once this winter, and so slight was the
injury produced that banana plants in exposed
situations have bloomed since that date and
are now setting fruit. This winter thus far has
added very greatly to the good reputation that
Florida has long enjoyed for a pleasant resort,
ana as general Lnlng bn6 W6aJloF mas been
without flaw or blemish. 1t is pleasant to hear
the exclamaEions of those visiting the
State for the first time from
the extreme North. The transition is so great,
and so rapidly effected that it is difficult for
them to realize that they are still in the same
country. While they left bare and leafless
trees, here they f1ud our oaks covered with
fresh verdure, and eat fruits and vegetables,
not to be Obtained at their Northern homes for
months to come. Here they can discari their
cumbrous wrappings and ride, walk or sail in
the open air as they may fancy. Nowhere
else in this broad country can the same facili-
ties and attractions be found that are present
cd by Florida during the cold season.
Within the past few days ground has been
broken upon another railroad, and one that
promises to give relief to a prosperous and
financial resources and supported by power
full combination of Western capitalists, the
Palatks and Indian River Railroad starts into
existence with every prospect OF success and
full assurance of usefulness. Its President,
Mr.. Delano, who represents Volusia county in
the State Senate, is himself a civil engineer of
ripe and varied experience, and is heartily in
terested in the promotion of the enterprise.
Sew nty- five hands are now at work at Buffalo
Bluff, which number will be increased as rap
idly as they can be obtained.
The project of commencing the East Coast
Canal, which is intended to connect the Indian
and st. Johns rivers, will, 1t is expected, be
discussed at the approaching meeting of the
Board of Directors Of the Okeechobee Land
site vessels for the purpose will most probably
be constructed at st. Augustine. This great
work is designed to open up $50 miles of inland
navigation, stretching from Lake Worth, on
the south, to some point nf ar the mouth of the
St Johns. From thence there is an inland
route along the coast to Savannah, perfectly
safe and land-locked, affording vessels of light
draught five hundred mi les OF navigation from
the southern terminus. When this grand en-
terprise will commence, Indian river lands will
be in demand and beautiful villages will spring
up along its banks for that country is rich in
all the advantages of SOIL climate. health and
varied productions, and there pleasure blends
with profit in the most delightful harmony.
II transportation. quick and certain, could
be had from Lake Worth, its shores could for
ward annually 10000 crates Of tomatoes and
the Shipment of this priced vegetable would
commence on the 1st of January. The toma-
toes shipped from Tampa and Manatee this
season have realized the price of S12 per bushel
in New York. Florida strawberries have
brought IS per basket containing about a
quart. "Oh," somebody will say, 'those are
fancy prices" 30 tn y are, and my fancies
would never soar to such height, but there
ar hundreds and thousands of wealthy, fas
ionable and luxurious people in the orthern
cities accustomed to gratify every whim, to
whom price is no object if the article
desired is rare and singular. What would
Smith, for instance, who made a big fortune
by a successful oil speculation care for few
dollars, If he could have grand entertain
ment on New Years day, and fee some half
atarVad reDortar tn Announce that the fable of