Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-03-01
TALLAHASSEE JOTTTNGS.
IMPORTANT MEASURES PASSED
BY THE LEGISLATURES.

To Pensacola By Rail East Florida
Semfnary-The Local Option Lava
Chaplain for the Conviets--The Rev
enue Bill-Thomasyille and TaIlahas
see Railroad.
TALLAHASSEE, Feb. 27.-The bill known "a
the International Railroad and Steamship
Company of Florida, on which General
Gordon is named as the first incorporation, was
submitted last night by the committee with
favorable report and read the second time.
Three or four amendments were Offered and
successfully voted down. the rules waived.
the bill placed on its third reading and passed
by decided majority.
= I've bills of vast Importance have been act
ed on by the present Legislature, that above
mentioned, and that Incorporating the Shin
Canal Company. The former. as have be
fore stated, seems 10 enjoy very general con
hdence, and the members from the extreme
south are in gleeful state OF jubilation over
the bright prospects that are hitting before
their enraptured visions. IL the stretch of
water between the southern extremity of the
State and the Island on which Key West is
situated, can be trayersed by the iron horse
General Gordon Is the man to overcome the
obstacles. He stands committed. IL is untler-
stood, TO commence the work within sixty
days. and his financial backing Is said "a ~ 81
the s0undest and strongest character Inst
think of Jacksonville being within twenty
four hours of Havana, as will be the case when
An invitation has been extended to the lev
islature to visit Pensacola ON Saturday upon
a special train to be furnished by the Pensa-
cola ana Atlantic Railroad Company. But
comparatively few will avail themselves of
the opportunity, as the majority of those from
the East and South are anxious to get back TO
their families. l propose to enjoy the pleas
urc or visit to FlOFida's queen city on the
Gulf at no distant period. 1t is somewhat odd
to think OF the strong probability that exists
OF the Comparatively early connection of Pen
sacola ana Key West by rail-the two most
remote eXtremities of the State. What mira
cles can money accomplish when guided and
directed by sciencei
The struggle over the restoration to Ocala
of the East Florida Seminary, from which
locality that institution had been transferred
several years ago to Gainesville was decided
yesterday by the Assembly in favor of Ocala,
1t Is very certain that the matter, in either
event, will be brought to the attention of the
courts, and will result in COSTLY protracted
and vexations litigation. Gainesville will not
surrender the school until she has exhausted
all the resources at her command, while Ocala
contends as strenuOusly for the recovery of
her former property. / cannot say what will
be the result IN the Senate. as the measure has
not reached that body.
1t is said that there is a terrible futter
among the drinking saloons all over the State
caused by the passage of the temperance bills
and that they are procuring licenses in ali di-
rectlOns, so as TO evade the law for another
twelve months. The local option clause will
have the effect of closing many noxious estab-
strength constantly
as its beneficial effects are seen and cOmpre-
hended. The present Legislature is far in ad-
vance of any Of its predecessors upon the sub-
Ject OF temperance, and have adopted some
order of things.
An appropriation has been made for the
employment OF chaplain for the spiritual
instruction of the conVlcts and il is greatly
to be hoped that his services will be beneficial
to the prisoners, although as a general rule
persons uqder such circumstances are not apt
10 pc reache1 by such influences. Still it is
right and proper that they should be allowed
every opportunity to effect their reformation
ana 10 De encouraged to become better citi-
Zens.
Although yesterday there were only four
days of the session remaining, some ten or
more new bills were introduced into both
houses, although the chances are twenty to
one that they will never be reported by the
committees.
The Senate made good hsadway this morn
ing in their regular routine work, transactipQ
a large amount of general legislation. Still it
Is becoming painfully evident to many anx-
lous members and perspiring lobbyists that
very many pet schemes and cherished pro-
jects are to be consigned to the gloomy vaults
of the capitol, perhaps to be eXhumed at the
next session for another trial of their merits
but more probably to become the prey of the
mice and reaches
Both houses are watching each other close
ly in regard to the passage of bills belonging
to their respective bodies, and gentlemen Of
either house are looking out carefully for
The official printing bill came back sron1 the
Assembly this morning with several amend
ments.
That body also reconsidered the bill return
ing the East Florida Seminary to Ocala, and
the bill was indefinitely postponed. This ac-
tiOn prepares the way for lengthy and cost
ly litigation in the courts, to which tribunals
the matter should have been referred origi-
nally. For the next few months the good peo-
pie of Ocala and Gainesville will have some
thing to talk about, and will be on the tip-toes
of expectancy.
The Assembly is still struggling with the
intricacies of the finance and revenue bill,
and is making but slow progress, having not
yet Surmounted more than one third OF the
sections contained in the bill, which is the
bulkiest of the session.
Most of the bills of absolute necessity and
real merit have been disposed of, and there
remain now, as a general thing, only the fag
ends OF the session and those bills which, in
the opinion OF nOVices, are among the ''most
important" etc.
There has been quite 4 reduction in the tenn
perature for several days, and overcOats are
donned and fires sought for comfort, Some
anxiety Is felt that frost may yet blight the
present glowing hopes of the truckers A
good crop OF fruit is expected throughout this
section should the ice king fail to put in an
appearance.
The Executive Committee of the Thomas
vile, Tallahassee and Gulf Railroad Com
pany will meet here tomorrow, when it is
proposed to commence without DELAY upon
this important work Contracts will be at
once made for grading prior te the cr0ssteing
and ironing of the road. When the next
Legislature assemblies in 1884 it is more than
probable that this important link, connecting
the Gulf with the teeming Northwest. will be
completed. Tallahassee attaches great i'm
portance to the measure, and regards it as
vitality necessary to her interests. w. II. b.