Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-02-03
TALLAHASSEE TOPICS.
THE INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT
BOOM.

Railroad and Canal Schemes-Their
Number EndIess-A Welcome General
Relief Bill-NO Specializing in Scrip
Sponge to be PrOtected-A Quarantine
Bill for the State.
TALLAHAssEE, Feb. 1.-The last two years
have been prolific in the annals of this State
In the conception and execution of railroad
ana canal enterprises, and they still continue
to multiply prodigiously. There are no less
than six projected through the peninsula. and
as that portion OF the State is only hundred
miles in width, the proximity OF the parallel
routes is apparent. 1t is evident that several
will be in hearing each of the whistles
of the locomotives of the other.
Day after day, however, they
continue to be pressed upon the attention of
the Legislature, and it is becoming evident
that no man in the community will be salts
fed until he has a railroad traversing his in
dividual forty acres. As the lands donated
for the purpose of promoting internal i'm
prOvements have been exhausted, the ques-
ton arises, where is the money to be obtained
for the construction of these projects? That is
one of the problems to be solved. Money is
abundant at the North, it is true, but the for
tunate owners of surplus funds are very apt
to demand security from borrowers.
Competing lines will, however, be very apt
to reduce the rates of freight and passage, so
that the people at large viii be benefited.
The bill passed yesterday by the Assembly
for the relief of the city Of jacksonville, and
the counties of Baker. Bradford, Columbia,
Suwannee, Madison, Jefferson and Leon, II it
becomes law, will so far to lift the debt now
resting on those localities, and which has
caused so much discomfort. These obligations
were incurred by the issue OF the bonds OF the
several counties enumerated to aid 81 the
construction of the railroad from jacksonville
to ChattahOochee. In consequence Of the ac-
cidents of war, and the general de-
preston resulting therefrOm. the road
was sold to satisfy the lien resting thereon.
leaving nothing to the original stockholders
except a heavy bonded debt and the payment
of the annual interest thereon.
The bill grants to the several counties 175,-
$50 acres, or whatever there may be of the
internal improvement lands proper. still un-
disposed of, and they are set aside for the pur-
pose OF liqudating the debt. 1t also apprO-
under the act OF Congress of 1850, which now lie
or may be hereafter acquired in the counties
above mentioned, for dscharging the bonded
indebtedness. or SO much of said lands as will
be suflicient for said purposes.
The trustees of the internal improvement
fund are empowered to receive said
bonds and coupons in payment for
fixed, and the bonds and coupons shall
be Cancelled and turned over to the Aldermen
and County Commissioners. The trustees
proper proportion of the indebtedness OF said
city and counties, that their debts shall re-
ceive a pro rata reduction.
The Trustees are also to use the surplus
money in the purchase of these bonds and
coupons, and to cancel them and turn them
over to the Aldermen and County Commits
sIoners until the entire indebtedness shall have
been discharged.
The Governor has signed a bill prohibiting.
under heavy penalty, county officers from
buying at discount or specuiating in State
county or school scrip.
The Senate have passed n bill fOrbidding
the dredging for sponge in the Gulf of Mexico,
within three marine leagues of the coast of
Florida, and upon that portion Of the coast
known as the ''spongiHg ground" and subjects
vessels engaged in the business to seizure and
cOnfiscation. 1t seems that this actionis neces-
sary in consequence of the threatened destruc-
tion of this industry. Men will continue to
slay the goose that LAYS the golden egg.
One of the railroad bills from South Florida
bears the cuphOnious name of the Fort Meade,
keystone and Walk-in-the Water Railroad.
Like all the others, however, it wants all the
land it can get on which to walk to construc-
ton.
For the fourth time the consideration of the
ship canal has been postponed, and now until
next Tuesday. It's friends and foes have
boen wiring some of the prominent incorpOr-
atOrs, and have received contradictOrv re-
plies. 1t is quite evident that the action
The epidemic that prevailed at Pensacola
last summer has induced one of the members
from tina! county to introduce a bill providing
for the public health by a uniform system OF
quarantine.
Under it's provisions the Mayor, Aldermen
and city physician of each city or Incorporated
town. and whore there is no Incorporated town
or city, then the County Commissioners. arO
constituted board of health.
They are authorized to establish quaran-
tine ground, to prepare apd equip a hospital,
and employ physicians and nurses These
grounds are to be accurately defined. and
change IN their location oan be made if neces-.
sary.
They can also forbid the approach Of any
infected vessel, and the landing of passengers
or freight from such vessel, until it has been
subjected to quarantine for the time specified,
anu can declare quarantine against any in
fected country or locality. Notices to this
effect are TO be published for two weeks,
Fort inspectors are to be appointed by the
board to examine vessels, and a port physi-
clan, who shall reside at the Quarantine
grounds
Heavy penalties are imposed upon those
who violate any of the provisions OF the act
which is quite stringent in its character, and.
If passed and properly enforced, will do much
to avert pestllence ana sickness. Laws
cannot be too strong to ward or
such scOurge as that by which
Pensacola was afflicted last summer. and
which Is liable TO befall other communities in
this State unless proper caution and safe
guards are employed.
The Farmers Club, of Leon, have pf1nted
and distributed nearly 5000 copies ~ a de-
scriptive pamphlet of this county, and another
edition Is demanded. There aio now here
several parties from the NoTtil and West in
quest of lands. TRAMP. tramp, tramp, the
boys are marching" and many Of them will
ind these fertile lands and pretty hill country
very desirable camping grounds
The United states Court will convene here
next Monday. There are several cases ON the
criminal docket for violation Of the election
laws. The parties indicted are from Middle
Florida, and much expense and annoyance
have been saved by the trial of these cases in
Tallahassee, instead OF Jacksonville.
a long discussion arose this morning in the
senate on the extension of the corporate limits
Ot Jacksonville. So many amendments were
Dnered that the further consideration of the
measure was deferred until next week. 1t is
generally thought now that the bill will be
defeated.
A substitute bin for all the matter referred
10 the Temperance Committee was presented
lhls morning, which imposes stringent regu-
atlons upon the sale of intoxicating liquors
The Thomasville and Tallahd assoc Railroad
1lll passed the Assembly tiis morning, and
now goes to the Governcr. VII b.