Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-01-30
TALLAHASSEE TOPICS.
GOSSIP IN THE MIDST OF THE
SESSION

Educati0n-Dogs and Food Fishes-A
Scene In the Joint Session-FIorida
M1lttia-The Insane Asylum-The I'm
provement BOom-The Newspaper
Changes.
TALLAHASSEE, Jan. 27.-It is already aseer-
talned that twice the quantity of land will be
planted in Irish potatoes in Leon county this
year than last season. Dealers have had to
renew their supplies, while many have ordered
from Northern seedmen direct. Experience
teaches, and those who have tried the expert
ment are disposed again to test the new indus
try. Murphles will beat cotton all to smash,
without half the labor and anxiety.
Arrangements have been effected recently
between the Pensacola and Atlantic, and the
Florida Central and Western Railroads, by
which through passenger and freight business
Will be commenced in February. The bridge
across the Chattahoochee has not vet been
completed, but steamer will serve as a sub
stltute for the present. This great work will
be finished and in operation in less than two
years since the adjournment of the last Legis-
lature, and the company have fully redeemed
the pledges then given. The rapidity of pro-
gress and the excellent quality of the work
accomplished, reflect the highest credit upon
all concerned.
The National Cotton Planters Association
propose to offer premium of $500 for the best
bale of American jute, that will compare with
that imported from India. That sum Of money
ought to be captured, and can be, by some
man In Florida. 1t is very tempting offer,
ana should attract numerous competitors. By
all means, let Florida wear the honor and
pocket the profits!
The general reports of the Committee on
Education in the Assembly, of which DR.
Harris, of Orange, is Chairman, suggest that
deaf mute asylum be established at Ocala,
which could be sustained by a portion of the
capltatlon tax, or of special licenses, fines and
forfeltures, without proving burdensome to
the tax payers.
1t goes on to say that ''we are of the opinion
that much OF the money expended in the So
called education of colOred children is simply
wasted. 1t is like water spilled upon sand, on
account of the total incapacity of many of the
teachers to instruct. These remarks are ap-
plicable, to a greater or less extent to white
teachers, and we know Of no better way OF
remedylng the evil than by teaching teachers,
both white and cOlored, how to teach"
Ihe committee suggest an annual apprOpri-
alton of $4,000 for the establishment of Normal
Institutes, connected with the East and West
Florida Seminaries, and in such school or
schools, not exceeding two, for colored pupils,
as the State superintendent may select,
They recommend, in addition, an annual
appropriation OF 1000 to establish and main
tain Teachers Institute, to be held this and
the next year,
vened here on Wednesday. Quite a number
were present, and the proceedings were of
quite an interesting character. They were
courteOusly received bv the Governor upom
whom they called in body.
Under the innocent guise of an act to pro-
tect the raising of sheep, a centre shot has
been aimed at the swarms of NANCY ours that
render wool raising improbable, 1t imposes
tax of one dollar upon a single dog owned bv
family, and five dollars each when there are
two or more. | very much fear, however,
that the Florida Legislature has not yet been
sufhclently educated upon this point to tackle
the question as it deserves to be handled, and
as the Interests of the people require, and that
those who vote for the measure will be forced
n thaIr Fn tn ,ksN
Bull, Tiger, Lion, and the other half-starved
mOngrelS, and ''yaller'' dogs of Florida. are
worth more in the eyes of their masters than
all the lambs, with snowy fleeces, that Mary
and all her kindred ever owned. Down with
the dogs!
Another good bill should be mentioned. It
fOrbids the catching of food fishes in any of
the rivers, bays, bayous and within three ma
rlne leagues OF the coast, for the purpose Of
manufacturing compost or artificial manuFes
1t was stated In the course of the discussion
that the menhaden, once numerous on the
New England coast, and along the shores of
New Jersey, had been almost eXterminated in
those parts, and that they were actually mi
grating to these waters.
Several companies have recently gone into
operation on the st. Johns river, and on the
Atlantic coast of this State, and have erected
extensive works, with a view of manufactur-
ing oil and fertilizers from the fish they cap
ture. All are fish that are taken in the nets
Of these greedy individuals, and shad, null
let, trout, etc, are ground up Unfortunately
with the cat fish, gars and coarser varieties.
1t is to check this wasteful and criminal eX-
penditure of Gods bounty to man that this
bill has been prepared. In many portions of
the country, large amounts of money are eX-
pended, and much labor undertaken to restOck
rivers and lakes with fish as a cheap and
wholesome food, while in other places the gifts
of Divine Providence are recklessly exhaust
ed In the mad desire for money. These rapa-
ciOus and avarcious spendthrifts of the free
gifts of the Almighty to mankind, should not
be permitted to practice their avocatiOn with
in the limits of Florida.
Most of Friday was consumed by both houses
in the joint session for the election of State
Printer Immediately after the roll call of
the Senate and Assembly and after a nOmi-
nation had been made, one of the Senators
moved that the Senate withdraw. 1t received
a second, and on being put, the President was
unable to decide. A division was called for
and the motion was carried, whereupOn the
Senate solemnly retired to their ch@mber.
In the meantime the Assembly took the mat
ter into consideration, many cQntending that
they had been treated with indignity bv the
Senate, and finally sent three ambassadors to
that body, with Instructions to inquire if the
Withdrawal was temporary or permanent.
After some dellberation the Senate came to
the conclusion to again repair to the Assembly
Hall, where the motion was renewed to with
draw. A question arose as to the right of the
Assembly being permitted to vote, which led
to many learned dissertations upon the rights
and privileges of either body, as also upon the
rules that obtain in joint sessions. Most of
the leaders of both parties and houses par
becoming
quite spirited and somewhat heated, when
motion for recess until $3.50 p. m. prevailed.
A good dinner had somewhat restored the
good nature and equanimity OF the members,
and when they reassenlbled at the appOinted
hour they were in a more amiable temper.
The motion that the Senate retire was with
drawn, and peace and serenity again brOoded
over the Legislature. Nominations were
FEoridian, Judge Hilton, of the Tailahassee
Ec0nOmiSt, Mr., RQWleY, Of Pensacola, and
Mr., Vaughn, of the Mariana Courier, Captain
Dyke won by several lengths an the first
ballot. Quite number OF blanks were cast
After all the learned dissertations that
were made, and authoritative opinions that
were pronounced, the question at issue, "can
one house, while in joint session, retire with
out the consent of the Other?" remains un-
determined.
The bill of Gen. Gordon, entitled tan act to
establish the Internnational n Railroad and
Assembly to-day. havenot yet had chance
to examine its features.
Gov. Bloxham's reception was densely
crowded, and His EXGellenGy and Mrs RloX.
ham greeted their numerous guests with an
old-fashi0ned warmth and eOrdlallty that was
charming, After substantial and elegant
repast the dining room was cleared and
dancing was kept up till the small hours OF the
mOrniug.
The report of the Committee on Elections is
in favor of Mr.. Allen, the contestee from Kew
West. The contestant, Mr.. Pendleton. WiI1-be
heard in his own behalf next "Wednesday.
The races, deferred from last week, took
place on Thursday and Friday, and were
neither exciting or interesting.
TALLAHAssEE, Jan. 2S.-The report of the
Adjutant General shows that there were 25.-
9O3 enrolled militia in the State during the |
year ending December, 1882 There we're also |
46 uniformed companies, There are two |
Major Generals, and a host of Brigadiers, The |
army Of Florida makes brave appearance |
on paper, |
During the past year s0s oonviots were de-
hYered 10 the contractors. OF the whole |
number OF eonviets included in his report for |
males 30, white females 4, colored males 25l. |
cOlored females 4. The board granted Ia mar,
dons in 1881 and II in 1882, and there were two |
executions in each of those years
The conviots are now leased to Henry M. |
Wood for the next two years for the sum of |
81, 800 annually, he paying all expenses.
There were on hand and received at the In
sane Asylum during the year 1882, 1853 patients,
as follows: White males SO, white females
81, cOlored males 80, colored females 90 az /
these Is died, 10 were discharged aid 4 |
ieaNylng avn IN the the instlsuson at the be-
Within the last two years. the Secretary of
State has issued l,34i commissions for which
the State received in the shape of fees S4549
ihe Zee Tor Members OF the Cabinet is S5I, +
Tor Judges OF the Circuit Court SCI, FOR State
Attorneys $3l, for county Judges, SHERIFF. |
and Clerks, $l1, tar Collectors and Assessors
So for all other appointed officers, 81 each.
There have also been within the same ne |
riod twelve removals from office and one hun
dred and forty-two designations.
Fifty acquisitions have been pdade bv other |
states for the arrest Of f1gitives from justice,
and this state has Issued Twenty-Five
Forty three railroad and eight canal COM |
panies' have filed articles Of Association, he-
iides large number Of private associations,
There have heen Written by the Bureau Of
Q Inquiries and 2S,559 pamphlets and papers
distributed.