The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1882-03-29
THE FLORIDA

provements, we are glad to get our
share. We especially favor the i'm
provement of the Mississippi River
because some day we may, through
the fundamentally OF barge or ship
canal, make Fernandina or Jackson
vile practically the mouth of the
Mississippi. You may think this
scheme rather chimerlcal, but if you
will take the trouble to look at the
map you will see that from New Or
leans across Lake Borgne, through
Mobile, Perdido, Pensacola, Chcctaw
hatchee, St. Andrews, aud Apalachi.
cola bay we have a almost continu>
Gus inland water communication to
the mouth OF St. Marks river; then
by utilizing the waters of the Suwan-
nee and st. Marys river canal could
be constructed to one of our Atlantic
seaports, and grain barges from the
Upper Mississippi could be brought
with safety and without breaking
bulk to a safe harbor on the Atlantic
coast. In fact a charter has already
been obtained for this route, and it
is being considered by capitalists.
Q. Are your people in favor of
promoting increased trade relations
with Mexico, Central and South
America by means of Government
subsidies to steamship lines?
A. think they are. We would
like to see the trade of these countries
controlled and developed by the
United States, because, tor one rea-
son, with either the ship or barge ca
nal, such as have described to you,
in addition to our projected railways,
we should be deeply interested in it.
CoLORED POPULATION.
@. How does the condition OF
your colored population compare
with what it was ten years ago?
A. think it is better. notice a
gradual improvement. The coIored
people are better educated, and, as a
rule, have a clearer idea Of their
duties and responsibilities as citizens.
In the nei ghborbood of Tallaha see,
however they are very careless about
saving their money.
@. Do they show disposition to
acquire land or stock?
A. Only few OF them do.
@. Are many of them owners OF
land or stock?
"A. Nc. We have large colored
population, and the per cent. having
property of any kind is very small
:, o. Arc they anxious TO have their
children educated?
A. They appear to be.
Q. Are they more thrifty and in.
dustrious than formerly?
A. can't say that they are.
think, in that respect they are about
| the same.
Q. Is there a disposition among
the colored people to emigrate? If so,
what are their reasons and where do
they propose to go?
A. A good many have left the
section Of the country about Tallahas
see, and the probability is that more
OF them will go. They 90 to other
sections OF this State, and to Louisi>
ana and Texas, where they find work
on the railways under construction.
They get higher wages than on our
farms, and that is the reason they
emigrate.
FINANCIAL.
Q. What is the financial condition
of your State:
| A. 1t is good. There is money at
all times in the treasury to pay oul
accruing liabilities.
@. What is the amount of voul
bonded debt?
A. it is $l,2S0,000; ul this more
than half is in funds belonging to the
State, such as schools, seminary, ag-
rcultural college and sinking funds
Q. Is the interest OH the bonds pals
promptly?
/ a. Yes.
@. What is the present market val.
ne OF your bonds:
"a Ouf SIN per Ceil. DOnuS are
worth 107, and our Z per cent. lis.
Q. What is the amount OF your
floating debt?
A. We have none.
Q What is the assessed value o
the property OF the State?
A. Real property S21, 295, 1872, per
sonal property SIS, 1896, C3l; making ;
total of $50 ,69l,82
Q. What is the rate OF taxation?
A. Seven mills on the dollar. O
this, one mill is for public schools
two and a half mills tor interest OF
public debt, and three and half fol
expenses OF the State government.
Q. How much revenue DO You nc,