Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-02-24
TALLAHASSEE.

TALLAHASSEE.
The Recent Municipal EIection-Pensa-
cola and Atlantic-The Barge Canal
BiII-PrOtectiOn of SpOnges-VariOus
Legislative Topics.
TALLAHASSEE, Feb. 22.-At the close of the
afternoon session yesterday, most of the Leg
islature walked up 10 the polls, where the mu-
nicipal election was being held. Whisky had
been freely used by the intelligent freedmen
Of Tallahassee, and as necessary consequence
the streets IN the vicinity were crowded with
drunken negroes, some in the talking. some in
the merry and some IN the fighting stage of
inebriety. Very little effort seemed to be
made by the authOritiesSio quell the disorder
and check the confusion that prevailed. and
the black troopers seemed to be masters of the
situation. There were several skirmishes
during the day, in which heads were battered
and features bruised.
In the afternoon. the temperance men in the
senate after a hard struggle had succeeded
IN carrying through the local option bill to
lts third reading, and the scene presented AT
the polls was strong argument in favor of
Ihat measure. / saw more intoxicated men
Yesterday than have ever noticed before on
a similar occasion.
What was known a 'sthe citizens ticket. -
or that representing the better classes of the
community, was elected by handsome ma
lority- with the exception Of the Marshal, and
there was much rejoicing over the result.
as IL gives the promise of better government.
General Gordon arrived yesterday and has
been actively engaged in pressing his railroad
Dlll upon the attention Of the Legislature. 1t
Is said should his bill receive favorable cOnsid-
GRAFTON. that work will be commenced within
as brief period as sixty DAYS, ana be pushed
with great dispatch, beginning at or near the
southern terminus, and progressing north
ward 50 as to connect with some of the lines
already constructed, the object being to afford
an outlet as speedily as possible to the extreme
southern portion of the State.
Both houses held night sessions and in
both railroad bills were discussed. There is
considerable opposition to the majority of
such bills. a. rival interests are frequently in
Y0lVed and consequently but slow progress is
effected. Some three or four such bills were
ordered last night engrOssed in the Senate.
The bill Tor the extension of the corporate
limits Of the city of Jacksonville. that passed
10y Il majority of ] on Tuesday. was taken
up on a motion to reconsider, and after an
other debate that consumed the greater part
Of the morning session. was rec0nsiderei by-
a vote OF l9 10 II, a result that virtuallv in
sures the defeat of the bill on its third read
ing. This bill has elected considerable feel
ing. ana during the various debates upon its
proVlsl0as has brought into the arena Utmost
all Of the members of the Senate
Among the bills recently sent to the Gov
ern0r Is one to protect the growing sponge in
this state, fOrbdding the use of dredges in
procuring this product and the taking Of any
less than four inches in circumference
Another Is the bill fixing the liability of per
sons and corporations for damages resulting
from the death Of anyone caused by the wrong
ful act. negligence. Carelessness or default of
such persons or corporations. or the agents
thereof. This applies to accidents on railroads
or steamboats, when there has been neglect of
duty or gross misconduct. and points out the
methods by which and the persons by whom
such suits are To he instituted.
The Board Of Trustees of the Agricultural
College held meeting yesterday. and will de-
Ter action upon the location of that institution
until Friday. Col. j. ii. Roper. of Gaines
vile. has rendered his resignation as a MEM
Der, and Judge King has been appointed to
ill the vacancy. 10 Is said that here will be
quite a number of applications from towns
that desire the college located in their midst
\ week from tomorrow trains will run
regularly on the Pensacola and Atlantic Rail-
road from ChattahOOchee 10 Pensacola. and
the members from Escambia and Santa Rosa
counties will be able 20 reach their homes in a
few hours after leaving Tallahassee. Two
years ago not a spadeful of earth had been
raised on this important enterprise and to-
day il is finished with a splendid road he'd
the track laid with steel rails, and the entire
road furnished with first-class rolling stock
and equipments of all descriptions. The gen
uemen connected with the enterprise have
amply redeemed all the pledges made during
the last session, and have shown wonderful
degree of energy and industry.
With the exception Of Georgia, this state
built more miles of railroad in 1882 than anv
Of the Southern states east Of the Mississippi
Georgia building 296 and Florida 253. This
fact shows the great strides that are being
made by Florida and the rapidity with which
she Is opening her large territory. III all the
railroads chartered and existing on paper
should be constructed. the entire State will be
network Of such thrOughfares.
The canal bill To connect the Gulf with the
Atlantic. via the OkefinOkee swamp and ST.
Mary's river. and which has among its incOr-
pOratOrs such men rs Governor Drew. Gen.
Finley and Major Fairbanks. seems doomed
to perish for want of attention. 1t is some
What strange that II has not attracted greater
notice. FOR II appears 10 be Il perfectly feasible
enterprise and one that would accomplish
great results The term is fast growing short
Tor all bills Of tins description. and unless it Is
more powerfully backed than it has been its
defeat u certain.
The threatened cold wave has passed over
without doing any damage. The Irish pOta-
toes planted a short time since are coming up
finely. and give glad promise to the farmer
of quick and remunerative crops. There will
probably be also quite an area put in water
melons. as the raising of that fruit has been
demonstrated To be very profitable. The con-
sIructiOn of the railroad from this point to
1hOmasville Will give quite an impetus to the
cultivation of vegetables in this section. as il
will furnish speedy and direct communication
either with the Eastern or Western markets.
One Of the pleasant drives around Tallahas-
see Is to the great spring in Wakulla county.
q famous resort for picnics. The trip is
through pleasant country. and the spring is
one Of the great natural curiosities of Florida.
ranking with the celebrated silver Spring in
Marion county. near Ocala. The waters are
of great depth, and of remarkable transpa-
remcy. showing minute objects at the bottom
as clearly a. if in a basin. The spring and
grounds have been purchased by a Western
gentleman of means. who proposes TO erect
handsome hotel during the approaching sum-
mer. This. coupled with the natural beauties
of the place, must attract many visitors.
Leon county made very creditable exhibit
at the State Fair last week and captured seY-
oral premiums. Colonel Bradford took the
first prize for the best display of products
from one farm. Ills list COmprehended twen-
ty=aye different articles, all of merit and utila
ty, and spoke well for the soil and climate of
Middle Florida. Mr., G.. \. Groom took the
first premium for the best bale of short cot
ton. and his array Of other farm products was
an excellent commentary upon the resources
of this section.
Leon need not be ashamed to enter the lists
with any other county in the State, so far as
the variety and value of her productions are
concerned. Some of the very best planters in
the state reside in this county.
a number of bills. on second reading, were
ordered engrOssed this morning. Some fifty
bills on the third reading are on the Secre
tary's desk. and they continue to accumulate.
The fact is. that il is now utterly impossible.
with the short time remaining, TO get through
with the work. and a large number of bills
must necessarily be smOthered. There is an
unusual amount Of general business IN both
houses that cannot possibly be reached.
-'-'Fhe Assembly has been wrestling all day
with the prOtlell ~ local option, and the
combat l. still progressing. fhe Legislature
will adjourn one week from to morrow.
W. II. b.