Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-01-16
TALLAHASSEE TOPICS.
THE CONVENTION BILL. IN THE
SENATE

the entire debate, which was kept up, with an
interval for dinner, for the remainder of the
day.
Senator Chandler, (colored) of Marion eoun-
", heaued the Republicans on the opposition
assisted by Senator BaIser. of Nassau. These
two legislators showed themselves well versed
IN parliamentary tactics, and fought with a
skHl and adrOitness that reflected no little
credit upon their ability. Amendment after
amendment was voted down, motions to re-
commit, to postpone, to adjourn, were tabled
successlvely, until towards evening Mr.. Chan
9ier @ threw up she sponge by moving that the
Dill pc engrossed for third reading.
On the Democratic side the principal speak
ers We're Messrs. Mallory, Mann and Speer
While Mr.. Pope held aloft the banner of the In
dependents.
bill, the title being somewhat altered, the
clause providing for the election of sixteen
delegates from the State at large being
stricken out, as was also that relating to the
length OF time to be occupied by the conven-
ton ana the pay of its members. The number
OF delegates viii be the number now compOs-
ing the Senate and Assembly of the State, and
penses.
The bin is now to run the gauntlet of the
Assembly, where, as the Republican strength
lis greater, the opposition will be probably
stronger. Enough has been developed to show
that the measure will be resisted by the Re-
puDllcans en- masse, and that the opposition
will receive the support and assistance of
many Democrats throughout "the black belt
There Is a pretty general desire expressed to
have the question taken out of politics. and
allow 1t to take its chances at the polls As
matters now look 1t is impossible to foretell
whether convention will be called under the
bill, or whether it will be defeated.
A bill, largely affecting the interests and
prosperity of jacksonville, was offered to-day
by Senator Grill. 1t provides for the exten-
sion OF the present limits of Jacksonville, so
as to comprehend the suburbs known as La
Villa, Brooklyn, Riverside and East jackson
vile. | understand that the proposed bill
meets the views of many of the soundest men
of both parties in Jacksonville, and is deemed
essential in sanitary view. If it becomes a
law. 1t Will almost double the present pOpu-
latlon OF Jacksonville, making it largely the
most populous city in the State, and will ma =
terially increase its taxable resources. The
boundaries as proposed, extend to the op-
posite bank of the st. Johns, giving the city
control of the entire river along the water
front.
The Judiciary Committee in the Assembly
Is making short work of numerous bills in
trusted to them, having reported unfavorably
on no less than fourteen on Wednesday. There
can be no doubt of the wisdom of their ac-
ton. Many OF the bills are very crudely and
lmperfectly prepared, while others are either
covered by existing statutes or conflict so Sc
rlously with them that that they would not
pass the scrutiny of the Supreme Court.
by the way, this tribunal is now in session,
and ls transacting business daily. A large
number of eminent lawyers from various pOr-
tons of the State are in attendance. and
Welghty points of Jurisprudence are daily con-
sldered. The docket is an average one.
There has been less absenteeism than usual
during the present session, and the journals of
both houses show the daily presence of almost
the entire membership.
Quite a large number of the Assembly pro-
pose to visit the Lunatic Asylum Tomorrow
At the last session the entire Legislature ran
up to ChattahOOchee, and a very thorough in
sspectlon Of the building and management of
the institution was made.
numerOusly signed petition upon the sub
Ject OF temperance was received Yesterday
from Orange county, which will doubtless be
succeeded at an early day by many others
reformatory movement is fast developing
strength and gaining adherents, and may in
time become an important factor in the poll
tics of the State.
Executive sessions of the Senate are held
almost daily, when business is promptly trans
acted and many county officers made happv
by their confirmation for the ensuing two
years.
Bills were introduced in both houses this
morning for Incorporating a ship canal and
telegraph line across the peninsula, connect
ing the Gulf and Atlantic. The incorpOratOrs
named are Townsend Cox, VIM. Malone, ST.
mon Cameron, Benz. f. Butler, VIM. E. Cam
eron, Jno. G. Brown, VIM. Fullerton, JnO. II :
Fry. l.. M. Lawson and others. The stock is
hXed at not less than $40 900 nor more than
$4,000 O,0OO, to be divided into shares OF 500
each. The company ask for State aid to the
amount of 100000 acres of land.
The canal to commence between Fernan-
dina and st. Augustine, on the Atlantic and
terminate at point between st. Marks and
Tampa, on the Gulf. The canal to be 200 feet
wide and 80 feet deep, or greater If found
necessary. The property of the company to
be subject to taxation.
The weather was again cold this morning
clear and pleasant.
JANUARY l3.-But little was done in the
Legislature to-day. The Assembly was not
n lan1.c horr
to ChattahOOchee to visit the Lunatc Asylum
Routine business was transacted in the Sen
ate. and several bills were passed The most
important of these was an act prohibiting the
sale or distribution of Intoxicating liquors on
days OF election within two miles of any
precinct, and imposing a fine not exceeding
$500, or imprisonment in the county jail not
exceeding six months. This refers to cleo
tions, either State, county or municipal Score
one triumph for the cause of temperance.
The convention bill will be called up on its
third reading Monday, and will pass the SEN
ate by decided majority.
The Trustees of the Agricultural College
have adjourned until the Ist of February,
when probably some definite action will be
taken. The meeting of this week indicated
diversity of opinion with regard
to the distribution of the interest, now accumu-
lating rapidly, of the original amounr derived
from the sale OF the lands granted for this pur-
pose.
TALLAHASSEE, Jan. H.-The gigantic pro-
lect OF cutting canal across the peninsula of
Florida for the passage Of vessels of heavy
draft, begins to look as if it was at least in a
fair way to be inaugurated, Taken in cOnnec-
tion with the canal across the isthmus of Da-
rlen, 1t means short cut for the commerce of
the world and saving in time, distance and
insurance charges, of months, thousands of
miles and countless millions of dollars, and
effects complete revolution in the journey of
shipping from the Asiatic world. As it in
wolves change so momentous to the interests
of mankind, there is general desire to learn
the features of this grand nn6prf 70 I
therefore take the liberty of making a full
synopsis of this great enterprise, as presented
to the Legislature of Florida.
The incorporators comprehend such men as
Townsend Cox, VIM. Fullerton, John H. Frv.
l.. NJ. Lawson, S. I. Meyer, Michael Jacobs.
and David McAdam, of the city of New York:
simon Cameron, of Pennsylvania; John c.
Brown, of Tennessee; Vim. Malone, VIM. f.
Cameron, A. w. Jones, and Y. ID. Grower, of
Virginia; Ben. +. Butler, of Massachusetts;
W II. Manning, of Ohio, and others not mem
toned, all men Of substance and we'll known
)n Change, and in the councils of the nation.
There can he no doubt of their financial ability
70 accomplish such scheme, and they are evl-
iently very much IN earnest, as some of the
parties mentioned are already here actively
engaged in pressing the matter upon the at
-entiOn of the Legislature.
A project that contemplates the expenditure
If such an enormous sum as forty or sixty
millions of dollars is no trivial affair, even in
.hese days of money kings, with their over
lowing Golfers.
The company asks for the right of way for
)ne mile in width from the Atlantic to the Gulf,
and for One-half mile in width for the branch
canals to be constructed. Telegraph lines are
20 be erected along the lines of the main canal
and branches.
The company is also authorized to construct
locks, warehouses, depots and other necessary
buildings along the route, and the State Is
asked to grant in fee the public lands en-
Draced within the boundaries of the right of
way Aforesaid.
The company asks the privileges of the "act
providing a general law for the Incorporation
If railroads and canals passed in 1874.
The stock OF from forty to sixty millions of
iollaIs Is 70 be Issued only full paid, and will
1ot be subject to assessment. 1t shall be
ssued for all the purposes required, and shall
)e deemed personal estate,
There shall be hoard of not more than
nineteen or less than nine directors who shall
'e chosen by majority of the stockholders
n the usual manner, The usual officers are
o be elected as is generally done in similar
companies.
The company is authorized to charge and
'ollect tolls and freight charges on ali crafts
passing through the canal, estimated by ton
lage, and also passage money from passengers
m such vessels, and also tOWage charges and
o collect for messages sent over the telegraph
ines. The company agrees to pay to the State
me- -haIf OF one per cent. of the gross receipts
rom such charges and money collected.
To aid and assist in this great work the
'tate Is asked to convey to the company five
MILLIONS of acres of her swamp and overfowed
ands, now in her possession, or which may
lereafter revert TO her. The property of said
company, including the telegraph lines, is to
'e subject to taxation, hut the stocks. bonds
md other ebligatians are to be exempt.
Cities are to be laid out at the termini and
own and village sites at intermediate noints,
The main Office is to be located in New York. |
With branch Office in Jacksonville.
Should this work be constructed it would |
Train very effectually large portion of Flor
da. A canal, two hundred feet wide and
hirty feet in depth, would carry of an i'm
nense quantity of water from its vicinity, and
would aid in the reclamation of q great area
L land -