Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-04-15

TALLAHASSEE, April 12.-Edit0r Morning
Netcs: The strides that have been made in this
Land Of Flowers since the late unpleasantness''
have been astounding. Recently made hur-
ried business trip through a portion Of East
Florida, and the change in the face Of the
country since 1855 was wonderful. Villages
and towns (some Of them incorporated) had
sprung up all along the line OF the Transit
Railway. Lands that in ante-bellum times
were regarded as almost vaIueless were
cleared, and handsome, cosy cottages embow-
cred anil groves Of orange trees, betokened
thrift and afiuence. Many who at the close Of
the war were land-poor, were now in aff1uent
circumstances. Everything was on a boom.
Astouished at the number Of railroads now be-
ing built md projected, asked friend how it
was pOssible that all these contemplated lines
would psyf "Pshawi" was the response. 1T
don't cost much to build a railroad nova
DAYS " How different from former years!
Then months. and even years. would be con-
sumed in starting such an enterprise public
meetings would be held. subscriptions solicited.
and a strong lobby perhaps sent to the Legisla-
ture in order to obtain certain franchises. But
now how Different A few capitalists form
a syndicate. Articles OF incorporation are
quietly filed in the Office of Secretary of State,
the necessary notices published In some news
paper, the engineers make their survey, the
route is located. and the road builF! In 1874
I
purpose OF Incorporating railroads and canal
companies; and seeing notices in the newspa-
pers of the formation Of many different cor
uOratiOns, l called on the Secretary Of State for
| information and was kindly referred to Hon
| 4. a. Robinson, Commissioner OF the Rureau
/ of immigration. That gentleman had tabula-
/ ted a statement Of all the various companies
/ for his foi Incoming pamphlet, which
/ will be issued in July next. He informed
me that since January. 1874, there were articles
| of Incorporation fled and charters granted by
4 I'll ~
| and canal companies. tine aggregate length of
/ the lines being over five thousand miles. Nor
| are all these paper railroads. A number of them
| are being rapidly constructed, while in nearly
/ ell preliminary surveys have been ma e. The
| character Of the cOrpOratOrs show that they
/ mean business and the day is not far distant
when there will be a network of railroad
/ through every portion or the State The c3pi-
/ tai stock in one of these companies is put
/ down at over a hun 1red millions. With the ex-
ceptiOn of Texas the growth of this State is un-
| Dreced snted among that Of her sister Sou hsrn
/ States. With population of 49, 500 in 1870,
| she has now. in the wear 1882 an estimated
| population Of not less than 100000.
| The forthcoming pamphlet of the Commits
| siOner of the Bureau of immigration will be
| one of the most exhaustive ever issued from
! that bureau. The topography, soil and re-
| sources of every county will be faithfully set
| forth, and much valuable statistical informa-
] ton presented Heretofore our State has been
| n terra 1ncOgRftG iu some respects. But the
! Com issiOner will show that besides her agri-
| cultural resources. she has minerals as well.
! Iron ore. &C. /, galene. copper, and, even to
| some extent. argentiferous and suriferous
| rock can be found And those who are judges
| affirm that a geological survey Of the State
would result in discovering rich deposits of
mineral and coal that would add greatly to its
/ growing wealth.
Heretofore the boom has been confined to
East and South Florida but now the Middle is
waking np. The railroad between Pens acola
| and the ChattahoOchee will soon be completed,
and within twelve months there will he an
other from ThOmsSville through Tallahassee
10 the Gulf. IinmigratiOR will set in to that
section. end capital and enterprise will aid na-
tnre in making IL not only the fairest bu- the
| most desirable portion of the State LEON.