Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-04-04
LIFE IN JACKSONVILLE.
Newsy Letter from the Sunny Sara
tOga of the South


Gordon's denial of the rumors propagateC
by some Bohemian penny-a-liner of this
State, that he dsigned abandoning Geor
gia to seek political pIeferment in Florida
was indignant, emphatic, and in keeping
with his character. None of his friends
believed the story, and it probably origi.
mated in the brain of the writer.
| William Watkin Hicks, it seems. has
again yentured to attack an editor in
! defense of his character( p. The fellow
has been buried in Obscurity since the alb
| rupt demise of his convert, Mr.. Guiteau.
and he is one of those restless spirits who
cannot be happy except when promi-
nently before the public. Your CORE
sp0ndent, some years since, was rendered
nervous by the reception of a summons
announcing that the Rev. Hicks had COM
menced SUIT for libel, laying his dam
ages at the sum of twenty thousand dol
lars. A draft for that amount was made
upon those eminent bankers, Messrs. Bull
lion, 1ngOtS Il Co., and must have been
accepted i'll satisfaction of the injury. as
the case progressed no further. If Billy
Hicks could recover the thirty-tive thou
SAND dollars claimed from the newspaper
man, he could afford to quit preaching in
stanter, as he is far more bent ON laying
up treasures on earth than in heaven. The
distinguished divine will be quite apt to
obtain what he cOvets-nOtoriety if not
nickels.
The city has been quite gay since Eas-
ter, there having been no less than three
masquerade balls during the ensuing
week. The Purim ball and that of the
Yacht Club brought out the fashionables
In full force and feather, and many of the
costumes were elaborate and elegant.
several Of the characters assumed were
admirably persOnated, and both gather
lngs were occasions of much gayety and
amusement. The season for such festiyi-
ties usually closes with the departure of
our winter visitors.
There is no longer any special difficulty
in obtaining accommodations at any of
the hotels. Still they are comfortably
nlled, although the exits far Outnumber
the entrances. Now is the harvest of the
agents of the various railroad and steam
boat lines, and it is delightful to hear the
seductive, persuasive and cogent argu-
ments that flow so sweetly from their
mel0diOus tongues. AS a class. they are
clever, obliging, sociable and intelligent
set of gentlemen, full OF information, and
ready to impart it for the general welfare,
and they form a welcome and valuable
addition to our population. The WAY
cross rs the great distributing reservoir.
from which the streams of travel diverge
to the north, east and west, and this link
leYles tribute upon the masses of our
departing visitors. Since the Atlantic
and Pensacola Railroad has been opened
quite number have taken that route
homeward, stopping at Tallahassee, Pen
SacOla, Mobile, New Orleans. and other
points of interest.
President Arthur is expected here on
Wednesday. The programme to be OBJ
served during his stay has not yet been
announced, and as he comes for the bene-
fit of his health it is to be hoped that he
will not be subjected to many formal re-
ceptions, and will be allowed to enjoy
himself as private citizen. Don't stife
him in the hot air of crowded rooms, but
let him get all the benefit possible from
the balmy breeZes of Florida, and he will
take back with him far higher opinion
of our courtesy and country than if his
short sojourn is converted into a persecu-
tlon by numerous pOmpOus ceremOnials.
If he wants to shoot an alligator, let him
dispense with crowd of Obsequious at
tendants and slay the saurians according
to his own ideas. Should've visit Orange,
NOlusia, Sumter, Putnam, Marion and
other counties up the river, he is sure to |
become tax payer in the State of Florida, |
as the owner of an orange grove in that |
region.
Governor Bloxham reports delightful
visit up the St. Johns. At Tavares he |
was rendered a grand reception, and at
Palatka and st. Augustine he was most |
entertained. Some ofour young |
men captured him on Saturday and took |
him down to the snapper banks, where he |
was duly inducted into the mysteries of |
deep sea fishing.
The cOnstitutiOnality of ''the local op- |
ton law'' was discussed before the Su- |
preme Court in Tallahassee on Saturday. |
The result is not known, as the court has |
not yet announced its decision. Much in |
terest is felt on the subject, and the de-
of the tribunal will be await
ed with great anxiety. Should the deci-
sion be adverse to the temperance men,
they must see to it that the next Legisla-
ture pass bill that will be imperviOus to
all assaults.
We shall probably have by next fall a
splendid shell road from the city to Orange
Park, as a responsible company has been
for the purpose. Such a
drive is greatly needed, and will have the
effect of inducing many visitors to bring
out fine stock. If our roads were better
many trOtters of note would be wintered
in Jacksonville.
BY the end of this month we shall proba-
bly, be able to run to st. Augustine over
the new railroad, as the work is now pro-
crossing with such rapidity as to warrant
such an expectation.
: The Easter festival OfSt. Johns Church
and its missions, postponed in conse-
luence of the weather, was observed yes
rerday. The exercises were of most
gratifying character, and very satisfacto-
~ to the large cOncOurse OfSunday school
children and their friends i'll attendance.
Fine and acceptable rains have fallen
recently. VIII. b.