Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-10-24
JACKS0NVILLE'S NEGROES
THE UTMOST GOOD FEELING RE
TWEEN THE TWO RACES.
Something Further About the Incendi-
airy Burning of Houghton Institute
Negroes investing in Pianos and Or
gans-Back from Louisville The
Herald Changes Hands,

otauhtOn Institute in this city, the largest
| building for the education of negroes in
the State. As a matter of course the oc-
currence created considerable talk among
the race principally affected, and the more
malicious at once placed the response
bility of the act upon the Caucassians.
The arrest of negro tramp on the night
OF the fire under suspicious circum-
stances, was followed by his full and COM
plete confession of the crime when
brought before Magistrate, and the ex-
citement has subsidized.
The building was erected in 1868 by the
United States Government under the su-
pervisi0n of the Freedman's Bureau, and
was handsome and substantial struc-
ture, with accommodations for several
hundred children. Its original cost was
nearly $4,000. There were policies for
100000, which, it is said. will replace the
structure. Arrangements have been made
to provide, in the meantime, for the pupils
IN the various negro churches,
The utmost good feeling prevails be-
tween the races in this community, and
great qualification is expressed at the dis
cOYery of the incendiary. His story that
he was engaged to commit the act by Il
disguised white man is not credited by
whites here favor the education and ad-
vancement of the negroes, and throw no
Impedments in their path to progress.
While speaking of this subject | am in
formed by Il merchant that he has sold to
negroes within the last year between 60
and 20 pianos and organs. They are pas
siOnately fond of music, and voluntarily
subject themselves to considerable self
denial to procure an instrument. They
ho ot,la Of,
ly Installments, and are remarkably
prompt in their payments. The merchant
above mentioned regards them as among
his best customers. | mention this fact
as an evidence of their improvement.
YESTERDAY QUITE
lengthy procession of negro Baptists
filed through the streets towards Hogan
Creek, the boundary between this CITY
and East jacksonville, where half a dozen
candidates were immersed. This rite is
always here made the occasion of as
much display as possible and attracts
large crowds of the curious. Several
stentorian singers lead the advance, elm
ing OUT the hymns, which are taken up
by the congregation with such fervOr that
they can be heard for squares. AS each
penitent emerges from the cleansing wa
ters shout of rejoicing goes up from the
assembled multitude, accompanied by
CALCULATIONS of praise and thanksgiving
that would sound very oddly in the ears
of strangers. They gave full vent yester-
day 10 their emotional impulses, and their
shrieks and outcries were sufficient to
impress the uninitiated with the convic-
ton OF the occurrence of a terrible acci-
dent.
A large number of persons who had
violated the Sunday law" were arraign-
ed before the Mayor this morning, and
were fined in various amounts. For some
months past this ordinance has been prac-
tlcally ignored, and much complaint had
arisen i'll consequence. There was very
little concealment on the part of the
liquor dealers, who had become so bold
from long immunity, as scarcely tn re-
qulre their customers to enter at the side
door. Numerous culprits, including
liquor men, news dealers and others, APP
peared before his Honor, who intends to
strictly enforce the law on this subject
hereafter. 1t is said that one of the papers
is also to be required to answer. Such an
example was needed, for it has been
a matter of nOtOriety for some
time past that the sanctitv
of the Sabbath has been flagrantly vio-
lated. At many of the low corner shops
you could see al an early hour every Sun
day morning groups of old soakers wait
ing for the bartender to make his appear
nuisance, and it is a matter of cOngratu-
lation among the better classes that the
law has laid its strong hands upon the offen-
ders against public decency. 1t is hoped
that the warfare will now be continued
without intermission on the part of the
authorities until Sunday is observed as Il
day of peace and quiet.
SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE FLORIDA
Press Association returned from Louis
vile this afternoon. They report de-
lightful visit, attended with great enjoy
ment. An Old-fashiOned welcome greeted
their arrival, and their stay was rendered
as pleasant as possible. 1t seems to be
generally admitted that "FIOrida Dav''
was the distinguishing feature Of the en-
tire Exposition, and that our State has
made for herself a brilliant reputation.
Florida has had two signal successes,
one at Atlanta and another at Louisville,
and must soon begin to plume herself for
Il still greater victory at the Cotton Ex-
position" in New Orleans in 1884. Her
expenses must be borne by private sub
scription, as no aid can be furnished by
the State, in consequence of the LegIs.a-
ture not being in session until January,
1880. 1t may be somewhat early to direct
attention to this matter, but il is as well
for all interested to put aside any article
of value of an imperiShable character un-
til next fall, when it can be brought into
requisitiOn.
Col. Will Wallace Harvey, editor of
the Btter-Sueet, boasts that he had on
his table at Kissimmee City on the 18th
INST. water and musk melons, pOmgran-
ateS, cucumberS, tomatoes, squashes,
green peas, snap beans and pumpkins,
just from the vines. Think of this array
of fruits and vegetables and think of the
season when they were gathered, and you
mn Init hat 10 I
have no rival in this respect in the United
States. The display of Vegetables in the
Jacksonville market is now very credit
able TO the Duval gardeners.
THE HERALD,
our evening paper, has changed hands.
and this afternoons issue contains the
announcement of the new editors and pro-
prletOrS, MeSSrS. Clark a. Graves 1t will
be conducted hereafter as an honest,
square-Out, unmistakable Democratic pa
per, and several alterations and improve
ments are promised. The new proprietors
have both had several years experience
in the editorial harness, and are cOmpe-
tent and well-knOwn journalists. They
take the tide at flood, and commence
their enterprise at an auspicfous moment.
1t is not unlikely that other newspaper
ventures may be undertaken i'm this city
during the present winter. They average
now more than two to each county in the
State.
VERY HEAVY RAIN FELL
last week, the fall measuring nearly AZ
inches in a few hours. At Fernandina
during the same day there was a perfect
deluge, the guage showing a fall of
inches. The streets and sewers in the
city were thoroughly washed and flushed.
There are still some cases of dengue. but
the fever is of milder type than that OF
last fall.
The United States District Court adj.
journed last Friday, having disposed OF
all the cases brought to its attention, It's
regular session will commence In Decem-
ber,
The Circuit Court for this county will
be convened the first week in November
The dOckets are all heavy in consequence
OF the fact that no spring term was held,
through fear of smallpox, then prevail
ing. A very large number of persons are
now in custody awaiting trial for various
crimes, some Of them of capital charac-
ter. DuYaEs contribution to the convict
camp win be much larger than usual.
A plant of machinery has recently been
made to the extent of 5000 for the manu-.
facture Of the crude palmetto leaf, root
and stalk, into articles OF value and
utility. Orders have already been given
in advance for large amounts of fibre for
mattresses and cushions. for which pur
pose 1T is admirably adapted. from its
elasticity and lightness. Mating, scrub
bing brushes and numerous other articles
tfTFnnA raN' 4. Il r.