Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-02-06
TALLAHASSEE TOPICS.
THE RELATION OF THE STATE
TO THE RAILROADS.

Two Important ResOlutiOns-An Inves-
ttgatiOn into the Status of the Various
Railroads Demanded - The Jackson
Vile Extension Bill-The State Fair
Various Items.
TALLAHASSEE, Feb. 3-Two resolutions
have been adopted by the Senate of a highly
important character. The first provided for
the appointment of a special committee to ex-
anime fully all matters connected with the
charter granted to the Pensacola and ATTAIN
tic Railroad Company. The resolutions are of
such great interest to the people, generally,
that they should be given entire.
The first is as follows:
WHEREAS, Upon the passage of an act to in
corporate the Pensacola and Atlantic Rail-
road Company, approved March 4th. 1881.
grant of the lands belonging TO the State,
granted under the act of Congress of Septem-
Der &th, 1850, OF twenty thousand acres per
mile for each mile of railroad constructed was
made tosald company; and whereas, the said
grant was in contemplation of the payment by
the sald railroad company of portion, sup
posed to be One-half, Of the then existing in
debtedness of the Internal Improvement
Fund; and whereas, no payments were so
made by said company, but four million acres of
the land so granted to the State Of Florida were
necessarily sold to pay Off said indebtedness:
and whereas, doubts are expressed, whether
portion of the lands executed to said COM
pany should not be applied or retained on ac-
count OF the payment which said road was ex-
pected to have made on said indebtedness;
therefore, be 1t
Res0lged, That the Judiciary Committee be
instructed to consider and report what legis-
lation, if any, is necessary to protect the rights
OF the state IN the premises, with power to
send for persons and papers, to report fully
what pledges Of said lands have been made,
what allenatlons and encumbrances have been
placed on them, and to make full report of
their findings, with the testimony upon which
they are based.
The second requires similar action TO be
taken with the remaining railroads in the
state, who were granted charters and State
aid during the last session of the Legislature.
WHEREAS, Other railroad companies besides
the Pensacola and Atlantic Railroad Com
pany, tO-wt: the East Florida Railway Com
pany, Gainesville, Ocala and Charlotte Har-
Dor Railroad Company, now the Florida
Southern Railroad Company, the Green Cove
Springs and MelrOse Railroad Company, Jack
sOnville, st. Augustine and Halifax River
Railway Company, Orange Ridge, DeLand
and Atlantic Railroad Company, Palatka and
Indian River Railway Company, Tampa,
Company, now the Jacksonville, Tampa and
Key West Railroad Company, St. Johns and
Lake Eustis Railroad Company, Tropical
Peninsula Railroad Company, and the South
Florida Railroad Company were granted land
to aid in the construction Of the respective
railroads, other than the alternate sections,
and whereas, The conditions of the several
that of the Pensacola and Atlantic Railroad
Company; therefore, be it
ResOLUed, That a special committee be ap-
pointed to consider and report what legisla-
tion is necessary to protect the interest of the
state OF Florida in the premises, with power
to send for persons and papers, to report fully
what pledges of lands have been made, what
alterations and membranes have been
placed on them, and to make full report of
their findings, with the testimony upon which
they are based.
1t will be seen that an immense amount of
work has been carved out for the special
committee to whom the investigation has been
assigned. There is considerable restiveness
shown by some of the East and South Florida
whose roads have not progressed as
rapidly as has that of the Pensacola and At
lantic Company, and IN view OF the fact that
there is known to be already deficit of three
millions of acres in the internal improvement
lands, these gentlemen are beginning to quake
with anxiety as to the completion of their en-
terprisesr
The investigation demanded will consume
much time and cost considerable money, as
the committee is empowered to send for all
persons and papers that may be required in
the way of evidence. What may spring out
of the labors of the committee remains to be
developed, but it is considered better that the
questions involved should be determined now
rather than be postponed, and perhaps give
rise to litigation and legislation o the future.
An impression generally prevails that the
Pensacola and Atlantic Railroad Company
on applying for their charter, proposed to pay
one-half OF the then existing internal i'm
prOvement Indebtedness, amounting at that
time to about 100000 In this shane the
charter was granted by the Senate, but the
proposition was stricken out in the Assembly
In the closing week of the session, and the
amendment was cOncurred in by the Senate
Both of the above resolutions were introduced
by Western Senators.
While on the subject of railroads, it NAV be
as well to add that the Senate Committee on
that subject has been instructed to examine
into the alleged dilapidated condition of some
of the railroads in the State. The committee
ls authorized to SEND for persons and papers
to promote the investigation,
From the above il is evident that there will
soon be general shaking up among railroad
magnates.
Inc principal amendments proprosed to the
bill increasing the corporate limits of Jack
sonville provide that theTesidents of the su-
burbs proposed to be annexed shall not be
taxed on account of any Indebtedness of the
city or Jacksonville incurred previous to the
approval of the act, and also that the voters
of the suburbs shall be allowed a voice in the
matter, and can only be annexed by a two
thirds majority OF the registered voters
therein.
In consideration Of the physical affections
of Judge j. Is. Dawkins, of the Fifth Judicial
Circuit, and his straitened circumstances.
a resolution has been offered to pay him one
hundred dollars month out of the contin-
gent fund during the remainder Of his term
of office.
In consequence of the fact that'the evidence
Allen could not be printed in time for the hour
appointed for the hearing of Mr. Pendleton,
the whole matter was again deferred till next
Monday. The testimony makes large PAM
phlet of eighty printed pages.
The farmers have taken advantage of the
late pleasant weather to plant Irish potatoes,
and large quantities of seed have been put in
the ground. The proceeds of the last spring
crop of this popular vegetable were so veryy
satisfactory that largely increased area viii
be cultivated this season.
Governor Bloxham will deliver the intro
duetory address on the occasion of the open
ing of the State Fair at Jacksonville on the
18th inst. The coming exhibition is assuming
considerable proportions, and an unusually
fine display is expected. Many of the de-
partments will be represented Mdre fully than
on any previous 9cessien, and ia addition to
the products CT Florida, a fine programme of
is promised.
Very little has been done to -day beyond the
transaction of routine business in the Senate
the Assembly having adjourned over yester-
day until Monday. number of bills, of no
great Importance, were passed by the Senate.
me resolution to adjourn on the 18th will be
taken up for consideration next week.
w. H B.