The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1882-09-26


of State taxes assessed for the whole last
four years. 1t is plain then that had the
Democrats remained in control of the
State government continuously from 1868
to the present time, the small public debt
then existing would have been entirely
wiped out, and the $4,000 now paid in
the treasury annually to meet the inter
est on this debt would be left in the
pockets of the people, and the Demo
Gratis would not have to carry the charge
of assessing this tax to pay an obligation
fastened upon the State by the plunder-
ings of the Radicals. These figures can
not be questioned, and must strike every
Intelligent mind with great force. We
challenge any other State, North or
South, to make so good a showing in the
way of substantial reform. What better
or stronger argument can be advanced
Of the benefits resulting from the change
of rulers in 1876 than this exhibit of the
finances of the State But the proofs
do not end here Look wherever we will
and there is abundant evidence of the
influence and results of better govern
ment. The era of prosperity now dawn
ing upon the State, and manifest in every
portion of it, is the fruit of administering
State affairs in the interest of the people
and in harmony with the intelligent SEN
timent of the Democratic party. A gen.
eral confidence in the future prosperity
of the State, and in the government as it
is administered, is shown by its financial
credit; by the demand for its lands and
the large investments made in them by
the amount of foreign capital expended
in the construction of railroads and
other public enterprises everywhere within
our borders, and, above all, by that
restful feeling and confidence now en-
joyed by every citizen that he is liv-
ing under government which secures
protection to his home and his family,
his person and his property. Does
not every sensible man know that this
improved condition of the State, this
confidence in everything that pertains to
the contentment and material prosperity
of the people, is due to the administration
of the government under Democratic aus
pices? At all events, these facts and fig
ures stand for themselves, and are an
effectual answer to all the complaints and
growlings of sore-heads and Independents.
The good and true men of the State are
not yet ready to exchange the present
government, with its record of retrench-
ment and reform, for the chance of hav-
ing again thrust upon them the evils they
so patiently endured for eight long years
under Republican misrule. But this is to
come to pass if the " Independent move
ment," which is so nursed and fostered
by the Republicans, is successful; for the
whole aim and purpose of the coalition
they are about to effect is . have the
State turned over to them to be again OPP
pressed and plundered. Some of their
leaders have urged a union with this frag
ment of malcOntents solely on the ground
that it will be the entering wedge" for
restoring them to power. This is the
meaning of the whole movement, and it
is too plain to be mistaken. The people
see it and know it; and these ambitious
young aspirants calling themselves " In
dependents may below themselves
hoarse with the stale and senseless cry OF
" Bourbon and "Bosses," Free Vote"
and g Fair Count" but the honest and
true Democratic masses will never wipe
out the brand of condemnation placed by
them upon the face of Florida Republi-
canism.
The following is the table referred to: