Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-01-19

six miles of their respective roads have been
conveyed:
1881. Acres
Oct. l-SOuth Florida r. r. Co ...... 5.3lS.l
Nov. 22-FlOrida Southern II. II. Co. l7,3S4.9
Feb. 2S-East Florida r. r. Co... 9,53I. so
Mch. 2l-Peninsula Il. X. Co........ 3O,S22. 81
Aug. 4.-South Florida r. Il. Co... 5l,515. SO
Aug. 4:-Fernandina and Jackson
vile r. r.. Co o................... 8,l7S.4
Aug. lS.-TrOpical Florida r. r.. Co. 8,7O3.78
Nov. l5.-Live Oak and ROwland's
Bluff R. r.. Co ........ ....... s,258.2l
Dec. 6.-PensacOla and Atlantic X.
r. Co ................. 56,2I9.8O
Total ......... .................... lSO, 1927 .55
In 1881, there were l4s,s5S acres of swamp
and internal improvement lands sold, from
which were realized 1927 ,2i7, and in 1882,
SO,5S9 acres were disposed Of for the sum of
%9,l1S. The school lands ON the lst of Janu-
airy, 1881, amounted to 596,524 acres, and the
indemnity school lands approved in 1882. were
3,745 acres. There have been sold of these
lands in the last two years s., 1903 acres. There
are also 33,S2O acres OF seminary lands. OF
these there have been sold during the last two
yeart 53, ,74l acres for $86,7l4.
The entire report shows that the lands are
in good demand. The fact is that the roads
now built and in process of construction will
absorb all of the internal Improvement lands,
and the time is not very far distant when
there will be no necessity for such depart
ment.
An important bill has passed the Assembly
and will become law which provdes
That city and town councils shall have
power to raise by tax and assessment upon all
real and personal property, and by license in
all professions, business and occupations car
ried on within the corporation, all sums of
money which may be required for the i'm
provement and good government of the city,
and for carrying out the power and duties
herein granted and imposed, and to enforce
the receipt and collection of the same in the
manner now provided by the laws of the State
for the assessment and collection of State
taxes and license,
That all proceedings of cities and town coun-
ellis already had in reference to the ASSESS
ment, levy ana collection OF taxes c0nforma-
BILE to the provisions of said section %, of the
act approved February 4, A. d. 1869, are
hereby legaliZed and confirmed.
Senate bill awarding the official printing to
the paper making the lowest bid for 1t to the
commissioners of each county, passed to-day
after a somewhat heated debate. motion
to reconsider was made, upon which action
will be taken tO-morrow. This refers more
especially to the taX-sale advertisements and
public notices of the various county officers,
and does not infringe upon the right of indi-
viduals to control their own legal advertise
mGnts.
A bill was also introduced establishing a
Bureau of Agriculture and immigration, and
abolishing the present office of Commissioner
of immigration. The bill also provides that a
chemist shall be appointed with several assist
ants, who shall analylze all the commercial
fertilizers offered for sale, with the view of de-
termining their purity, and also all chemicals
A heavy rain fell last night, and everything
is reeking with moisture. 1t is an untOward
opening for the Middle Florida Fair, which
commences to-day.
TALLAHASSEE, JAN l7-There aDDears to
have been but little interest taken in the Mid
die Florida FAIR that opened here yesterday
But little has been said concerning it in the
city papers, and but scanty efforts have been
put forth to promote its success. | confess my
surprise at the lack of interest manifested
especially when consider the resources of the
surrounding country. 1t is true that the
frOsts have laid their blighting fingers very
roughly upon the vegetables, flowers and
fruits, but there is an abundance Of other ma
terials to contribute to large and successful
exhibition. These should all be made availa-
BILE and utilized in such a manner as to show
to the utmost possible advantage the possi-
bilities of this beautiful hill country.
Much of the success and growth of East
Florida is due to the persistent and untiring
manner in which she advertses herself and
her attractions \ similar judiciOus and lib
eral system of putting would have its effecs
upon this section, for it cannot be denied that
Middle Florida can show many and important
natural advantages not known in other pOr-
tions OF the State 1t is just beginning to
dawn upon the people here that they can
grow potatoes more prOfitably, and with less
labor and cost, than cotton, and it is pleasant
also to be able to jingle few dollars in their
pockets in May and June, without waiting
until November and December. There's
magic in the sound, and there's plenty of gold
in these pretty hills and valleys, if sought for
IN the proper manner.
If less cotton and more cabbages were
planted, there would be less occasion for the
services of the negroes, who would be forced
to seek other localities. A gradual exodus
would at once he inaugurated, which would
result in great benefit to both races. Certain
1t is that in the present condition of affairs,
they are very much in each others way, and
general progress is greatly impeded.
If the ship canal is commenced, there will
at once be created a demand for Drawn and
muscle and TINS may prove safety valve for
this section This is too gOOdly land ever to
be AfricaniZed, and must remain the white
control.
Quite an interest is felt in the success of the
bill providing for the erection of building for
the education of deaf mutes The number Of
these poor unfortunates is constantly increas-
ing, and their sad condition should certainly
arouse the keenest sympathy. In his message
the Governor invites special attention to the
subject. and it is to be hoped that the Legisla-
tnre viii concur in his humane suggestions
The sum proposed by the bill ia qnife small
when compared with the great good to be ao-
complished, and the bill deserves favorable
consideration.
bill has been introduced for providing all
persons who have lost an arm or leg in the
service of this or any other State, or of the
United States, and who may now be living in
Florida, with an artificial limb if unable TO
procure proc one themselves, ! was glad to see
ed by the discussion of this bill in the Senate
But very little feeling OF this character has as
yet been exhibited in either branch
The battle flags of the Florida regiments en-
gagged in the late war between the States, now
in the Adjutant Generals office. are to be |
placed in a handsome case and made one of
the ornaments of the Assembly Hall
As / am on the subject of military affairs il |
is as well to state that steps are being taken
to organize special volunteer CORPS, composed |
of infantry, cavalry and artillery, for duty !
IN the state, whenever required. The uni
forms, arms, rules and regulations win be /
quite similar to those of the United States |
army.
Opposition to the ship canal project is daily |
on the increase, and it is admitted that the |
bill cannot go through in its present shane |
Its only prospect OF success is in the intrOduc- !
tiOn of several very important amendments |
and notifications. The State will not sur /
render any more of her lands without a |
positive stipulated price in the shape of work /
actually accomplished. She will insist upon a |
QUid pro quo.
The daily roll calls of both houses show nm
large average attendance: and |
little Rpsenteeism There Is
another noteworthy feature of the nresent
greatly to their credit There
mas been minimum of dissipation obseryahIe
among the present members. and but LITTLE
disposition has yet been displayed TO throw
any obstacle In the path of the temperance
''O0
A dispatch from Tallahassee. nublisbed in
the acksonVllle- Times last Sunday to the ef-
lect that the Senate had passed a bin prohibi-
tlng the sale OF intoxicating liquors. threw the
rum sellers OF that city into spasms of excite
ment and alarm. They swOre thew were
utterly ruined, and were on the point cf send
ing pp delegation to lobby with the Assem-
Ply lpr tAe uefeag OF the bill IN that body,