Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-01-03
JACKSONVILLE GOSSIP.
SUNLAND TOPICS OF GENERAL
INTEREST.

The Old Year Retires GracefuIly-The
New Year Enters Smilingiy-Florfda's
outlook - On to Tallahassee The
Methodist Conference Working
Church-LaIxe Okeechobee Unveiled.
JAoKsoNvILLE, Dec. 8I.-The old year died
gloriously. The last day of its life was bright,
clear and beautiful. For a week previous we
had abominable weather, damp, dreary and
dismal, so that the change has been warmly
welcomed.
The new year promises to make its entree
In brilliant style. So far as Floridas is con-
cerned 1883 opens auspiciousy In all the paths
of material progress she has made a steady
advance, and the future presents a brilliant
and hopeful prospect. Her taxable property
mas increased nearly ten millions within the
past Twelve months, which insures a consider
able reduction in tile rate of taxation. Immi-
grafton continues to tend in this direction.
and every portion OF the State begins to show
capital There is good reason te bid the peo-
pie OF Florida to be Of good cheer, for the out
look is most encouraging. a year hence viii
show results that will be most gratifying.
Quite q number of members of the Iegisla-
ture from the river counties passed through
the city yesterday en- route to Tallahassee.
Elorida's w-makers will assemble at u m.
Tuesday. The House, to a large extent, is
composed OF new members, which will proba-
bly, Rave the effect,t to some extent, of retardine
the work of the body. There is a desire not to
prolong the session more than forty days,
although il is doubtful if the Legislature Will
adjourn before the period of sixty days is
reached. The questions of the constitutional
convention and internal improvements viii
create much discussion and occupy much
time.
The annual conference of the Methods
Episcopal denomination of this State-Bishcp
kavanaugh, presiding-will assemble in this
city on Wednesday, January 3. This occasion
brings together large number of earnest in
dustrious and faithful clergymen from all
il "A Nm Of
liglous and social enjoyment. AS a holiday it
has happy effect. Reports are heard from
the most distant and benighted corners, for
the Methodists cross rivers, scale mountains
and overcome ali difficulties to introduce the
banner of the cross.
The custom OF making New Year calls will
be observed here to some extent. It is by no
means general, and the practice is of slow
growth.
John BaYleycom contriyed to capture an
unusual number of prisoners last Christmas
and the police calaboOse was filed TO overflow
ing by the victims. more than ordinary
amount of dissipation was visible.
The Episcopal and Catholic churches were
elaborately and elegantly attired in ever
greens, and the services were of an imposing
character, the music being beautifully rem
dered.
At last the mysterious Okeechobee has been
entered and its long pent waters are pouring
into the Gulf by way of CalOosahatchie river
Heretofore when the great lake overhowed
the waters found their way to the ocean and
Gulf by numerous outlets. Now, the canal
lust cut Is of sufficient breadth and depth to
carry of the waste and form a navfgable
channel. Dredge No. 2 is working its way
down the kissimmee river, and is designed 70
cut similar channel to the Atlantic. Pas
sengers will be enabled to take q
steamer at kissimmee City, run down that
river to Okeechobee, traverse that lake. and
entering the channel leading to the Gulf con-
meet with steamers at the mouth of the Caloo-
sahatchie for New Orleans, Key West and
Havana. For persons of leisure and tourists
form q It frfa
ing route. The scenery on the CalOosahatchie
is described as fine, and lined with semi -tropi-
cal vegetation. That region is destined to.be-
come famous for its sugar production, and will
attract planters from Cuba as well as from
Louisiana.
The old National Hall on Pine street has
been fitted up for occupation by variety
company and viii be opened this week This
company will remain during the season. and
will furnish standing amusement for the COM
munity.
Forty-one swedes and Germans wert mn
the river last week, having been permanently
engaged IN Orange and Volusa counties Thus
we are obtaining few from the great army
OF foreign immigrants now invading the
country.
Two splendid new steamers, provided with
all the modern comforts, elegancies and con-
to be called the "City of JacksonvilleD and
"H. Il. Baya," and belong to the lines con-
trolled by Messrs. De Barry and Baya.
\ French Count and Countess arrived at
the Everitt Hotel ast week. The young Eng
lish Duke has not yet put in his appearance.
and the hotel men are looking out for the
japanese Prince.
DR.. John Screyen Bond a leading prac-
titoner of this city, and gentleman Of high
attainments and universally respected. died
last week. He was a native of Savannah. but
had resided in Florida many years
Among the new machines TO be on exhibi
tlon at the approaching State Fair is one for
the preparation of jute. This will attract
great attention as the cultivation of iute is
~ nf 10 1i1afr i,,fl,t frefn
We are inundated with the usual horde OF
street musicians, patent medicine men,
quacks and tramps of all descriptions. Some
tainment. W. II n