Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-01-13
TALLAHASSEE.

The New Link Between Florida and
GeOrgia-Steps Towards Its COnstruc-
tiOn-Where 1t is to Run-Assistance
Asked and COnditiOns-Various Bills
Work for COmmittees-CapitoI Curl
Osities-BalI at the New Hotel.
TALLAHASSEE, FLA, Jan. n.-As YOU
have many readers in Thomasville. Ca. and
in tins city' as well as along the entire route
to be traversed by the proposed railroad be-
tween these points, some Of the main features
of the bill granting aid for the construction of
the line may not be uninteresting.
After mentioning the names of the corpora
tors and the title Of the road, the bill goes on
to relate that they have obtained a charter
under the general Incorporation act of the
state Of Florida to build. maintain and operate
a railroad from point on the line between
the states Of Florida and Georgia between
Tallahassee and ThOmasville. through the
counties OF Leon. Wakulla and Franklin. to a
point at or near James Island in Franklin, on
the Gulf Of Mexico, a distance of seventy
miles.
The bill grants the right Of way to the
IhOmasville, Tallahassee and Gulf Railroad
Company for two hundred feet through any
lands belonging 10 the State or school fund
lands.
Twenty thousand acres Of land belonging to
the stale, or TO the Internal Improvement
fund, not previously granted for anv purpose
or Of any other lands that the state NAV be-
come possessed of. are granted to said COM
pany for every mile of road so completed 1t
is provided that no lands shall be granted
until ten miles OF the road are constructed.
and then seventy-fiVe per cent. of the lands TO
which the road will be entitled shall be
decided, and 50 in succession. The remaining
twenty-five per cent. OF said lands are to be
reserved until so much Of the said road as lies
in either Of the sections of said road shall be
constructed. These sections lie between Tai
lahassce aud the Gulf on the SOUTH and Talla-
hassee and the boundary line of Georgia on
the North. No lands south Of latitude twenty
eight are 10 be applicable for the purposes of
this act.
The road is to he broad gauge and the iron
shall not be required to weigh more than
hfty-siN pounds TO the lineal yard. No rights
shall be vested in said road, unless the build
ing of said road is commenced within six
months after the passage Of this act nor un-
less one Of the before mentioned sections shall
be completed within two years; and, as 10 the
other section, unless the same shall be COM
pleted within four years from the approval
and passage Of the act.
4 good bill has been introduced giving con-
duCtOrs on railroads authority TO eject from
the ears at any point on the route anv person
who shall be guilty Of disOrderly or immoral
conduct, and invests them with the power of
police officer to summon aid. if necessary
from the passengers. Offending persons can
also be delivered To the nearest Magistrate to
be proceeded against according TO law
Various committees have been appointed to
examine the COmptrOller's and Treasurcr's
offices, to investigate the DisstOn land sale, to
examine MeClellan's Digest, etc, and to re-
port at their early convenience.
The Committees on the Judiciary in both
houses are making a very rigid scrutiny of all
bills cOniided to their charge, and the Senate
committee has reported adversely already to
a large number OF bills. Ii is 4 good idea TO
strangle all unnecessary legislation of which
there Is generally Il redundancy, and the fact
that there are usually 4 number of bills pre-
sented for the repeal of existing laws is a fair
indication of the haste that has attended their
passage. The great trouble is to enforce ODE
dienee to the laws now on the statute books.
Bills have been introduced requiring county
Judges 10. undergo an examination for the
purpose of determining their competency. and
also requiring bonds from such officers. rs
well a from Justices of the Peace. and also
that all costs and fees in criminal cases shall
hereafter be paid by the State. Another bill
prohibits all county officers from speculating
in scrip. An abundance OF work has been
carved out for some weeks ahead already. un-
less the convention bill Is passed shortly. and
a speedy adjournment follows As matters
look at present. such a result does not appear
very probable at the present moment.
In the grounds around the capitol are to he
seen two or three specimens Of that rare tree,
said to exist only in Gadsden county. and
known rs the IOTreQ IdriTOtici. Its wood is
said to be practically mdestructible. The
lamp posts i'm the grounds are composed of this
wood. which Is Of pale yellow color, with a
strong aromatic OdOr. Ii is said to be va
riety of the spruce. The leaves are small,
hard and pointed.
A tanned black vulture, which obevs its
owners whistle. and which follows him like a
dog, Is another Of the curiOsities about the
capitol.
The opening ball Of the season at the Leon
Hotel last night was quite a brilliant affair.
Among those in attendance observed vener-
able Judges Of the supreme and Circuit Courts,
distinguished COunselOrs from various portions
of the state, learned members of the Legisla-
ture. and the usual complement of budding
statesmen. of course, the fair ladies of Tai
lahassee were present in all the splendOr of
their charms, and the scene was really attrac- =
tive. II was a good send-Of for the new
hotel.
Afternoon sessions were held in both houses.
The senate resumed the discussion of the
convention bill. Numerous amendments were
proposed and warmly discussed. Nearly the
entire morning session was consumed in the
debate. which will be continued this after
noon.
The papers in the contested seat in the Sen
ate from Monroe county, Pendleton vs.. Allen,
were referred to the proper committee this
morning. This is the only contest in that
body. The weather is clear and delightful.
w