The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-04-01


entire Republican ticket. The convention
was called together, I think, in 1867, and
any lobby member rising to a question OF
privilege would almost have addressed one
side of the hall at least, as members from
Dahomey or Senegambia, such number
of negroes being elected as members, 1t
was this body that framed a constitution
which made the Governor of Florida the
most absolute monarch of this century.
The people have the privilege of electlng
the Governor and members of the Legisla-
turc only. Nearly every other state Off
Ger. as well as those of the counties, Is
within the power of the Governor to ap-
point. He appoints the Secretary of State,
Treasurer, Comptroller, Commissioner OF
Lands and Immigration, Attorney General
and Adiutant General. These are classed
as cabinet officers. He also appoints the
Judges of the Supreme Court and those OF
the District Courts, the County Commits
sioners. Clerks of the District Courts in and
for the different counties, Sheriffs, Judges
of the Orphans Court, Tax Collectors and
Assessors and Magistrates. In fact every
officer in the state and counties, except l
believe. the Constables. This long line of
petty officers, on account of the large num-
Der allowed each county, consumes more
time in counting the votes at general
election than all the others. Did ever the
Governor of state of this Union at any
time have such power 1t is one of those
glorious legacies left us by Republican rule,
which the Democrats of the eastern and
southern part of the state have never had
the courage to abolish by a change in the
constitution. for the reason, that it the
clause in the constitution giving the tiOv-
ernor that power was changed so that the
counties could elect such officers as they do
in other states, the several counties COM
prising what is known as the "black belt
of the state being in such large majority,
would elect negroes to them, thereby max
ing these important offices grabs for money
and their administration ridiculous farces.
During the year 1878, the year after
the great presidential contest, the body Of
Republican Office holders began to take up
their carpet bags, and like rats, desert Their
sinking Ship, and the negroes having nc
head-centre, and no one left TO gull them
4 with promises. became indifferent to politl-
cal demonstrations. The year 1876 closed
the rule of the Republican party in Florida,
Immigration to the east and southern pOr-
ton of the state was principally made NJ
of white people, and although great many
/ of them were Republicans and voted fol
the nominees of that party on the national
ticket, they were opposed to the negro 20,
4 litical rule of the central black lett and
consequently voted for the Democratic nom
/ inee for Governor and members Of thu
/ Legislature. Again, the negro Is man
who likes to be on the side Of
aThe heaviest artillery
s and if shey numbered an hundred votes il
a county where the Democrats had say fiyC
hundred majority of whites, more than
/ likely that majority would be considerably
I increased by the social influence Of the
whites over them
Just after the war. when the constitu
tional convention was in session, and also
ON the meeting Of the first legislative body
/ the scene in either hall that presented Itself
was sad one to those who had witnessed
the gathering Of those august bodies pre-
yious to the ..unpleasantaess. Up thuss
seats once occupied by Ward or AZ
'.Areher. men selected foE their high at
tainments as parliamentarians and orators
men of wealth and position in society weT'
now filed by the imam and brother HI
was there. and determined that all shoulo
know il.
Once upon a time verdant countrymaI
threw a bouquet to prima donna, attaches
to which was an embossed card, and on i
was written, IF you want to know the mal
who sent yon this, look up Al the thirs
tier and YOU will recognize him by th'
largest pair &c bso,s over the railing. j
vas 50 with the colored member from tn
county. Why was he sent TO the stat
capital to represeR. that important oounty
That its interest, perhaps. required more at
tention than those &C any other la the stat
made no difference. Did he represent th'
wealth Of that county, Did he rePresen
its great agricultural interests No. h
has not the ability or learing sufficient Il
represent either Of these great interests
nevertheless he is representative from tina
great county. You will know 1t by th'
largest pair Of boots stuck up ever tn
ton Of that beautiful walnut d,sl Hewa
there as member Of that Legislature, ans
the people, especially the Democratic party
must kHow IL That's III hexas. "a meln
Der. and his salary was eight dollars Pc
day. Saints and angels defend as agains
so little pay for % great service. \ bil
i presented and he votes ave. Again
comes up fer reconsideration and he vote
nay.
"A little learning Is a dangerous thing,
but that member ffoM ==-== county don
know that, but he knows he Is meiAbeT
He is a preacher and was elected by tn
members of bis flock Preachers at tn
north get tickets of leave to pass thei
summers in Europe, 10 why should he no
get little holiday TO 90 to Tallahassee, &
attend the legislature These little Office
are overlooked By the carpet-bagger. HI
wants something more permanent, and tina
which pays better He was at that time II
clover, but many Of them forget the oi'
adage slightly changed, and that they ough
ITO save hay while the sun shines, bu
money to many Of them came in 50 fat an'
80 easy that they forgot to save hay, bu
spent it with the hand Of prohigate, ans
when the storm Of Democratic success brok'
over them. their roofs were not thatche'
and they went out drenched with that Poy
erty that follows sdR sfol, 80 necessarily
their term of probation. for so 1t seemed q
be, was out aud now they
Must render unto Cesar the things that ara Casar'
and unto the Democratic party those Office
they had for so many years polluted witt
their ignorance and association. Ste
down and out was the order of the day
and those of our intelligent fellow citizen
who fully appreciated the change of affair
and intended to give every man his right
under the constitution of the state and 0
the United States, were appointed by tn
Cover to I'll their places.
AT the state election in the year 1876
the closeness of the great national eontes
made Florida, and Tallahassee, its capital
scene Of most intense excitement. Tn
greatest flights of legal talent that tn
country produced. were drawn there TO de