Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-02-20
TALLAHASSEE TOPICS.
THE LEGISLATURES VISIT To
THE STATE FAIR.

t1utter In Local Politics-PrODosef
Geological Survey-Growth of West
Florida-TestimOny in Divorce Suits
wrestling with the Revenue Bill.
TALLAHASSEE, Feb. 1.-THE city of Jack.
sonyille was irradiated on Thursday by the
dlgnlfed and commanding presence of a ma.
Jorlty OF the members of the Florida Lepisla.
ture, and the scarlet and blue badges that in
dlcated respectively the Senate and Assembly
were fiuttering in all directions. With these
gentlemen were interspersed quite a number
of Georgia Legislators, who had attended Sa
Vannah's Sesqui- Centennial and who were
making quick tour of our State. The col
lectiye wisdom of the two bodies was of an
overpowering character, but Jacksonville WAS
so packed and jammed with magnates of all
grades and descriptions that a few more or
less made but little apparent difference.
There nave been more attractive fairs in
JacksonVllle, but none with 4 larger attend
ance. Every house of accommodation in the
city was crowded, and the Legislature who
arrived at a, M, passed the remainder OF the
night ON chairs, or the floor and the benches
OF the hotels, Had it been understood in the
city that no arrangements had been made for
their comfort, numerous private houses would
nave been thrown open for their benefit
There was certainly an unfortunate mistake
committed somewhere, or by SomebOdy II
must be confessed that it was rather an mn
hospltaDle greeting, after the tender of a spe-
cial invitation.
The day was passed on the fair grounds and
IN traVerslng the city. Many of the members
had not visited Jacksonville in wears. others
@ Iau never Deeh there, ana a general good i'm
preston was made on the wise men of Florida
Those who were strangers to the locality were
greatly surprised at the thrift and bri ght DrOs-
pects OF the community, and were outspOken
in their commendation.
The Legislature returned on Friday morn
ing, pretty thoroughly exhausted set of ipdi-
viduals. A quorum was obtained without
diihcuIty IN the Senate, and that body accom-
pllshed considerable work in the morning An
adjournment was had for the remainder of
the DAY, In consequence of the announcement
OF the death of Judge 5. L. Niblack, of Column
Dla county, an eN-Presldent of the Senate and
gentleman extensively known and honored
lie had also been member Of Congress-
Several bills were passed during the morn
ing session, and the finance and taxation bill
was taken up in committee of the whole and
progress reported. The CHATTANOOGA Column
bills passed.
A quorum, was obtained IN the Assembly at
Ii a. M, and the remainder of the day was de-
voted to the passage of a host of memorials to
Congress. No quorum was had in the after
noon. lt Is rather strange to notice how
many man Dllls continue to be introduced at this
late hour, when less than two weeks remain of
tne session. Unless of very great Importance
these bills will not have time sufficient 10 20
through the routine required and will he
a handsome glazed case, filed with the bat
tle1ags OF various Florida regiments. has been
placed just back of the Speakers chair and
constitutes striking ornament of the Assem-
Dly. Ihelf smoke-stained and bullet-rent
folds recall memories alike glorious and
mOurnful.
Two large lamps have also been erected at
each oil the main entrances of the capitol and
are Improvements that were much needed
The grounds have never been sufficiently
lighted, and the change effected is hailed with
satisfaction.
The two double numbers of the MORNING
NEWS, with their full and graphic account of
your Sesqui-C Centennial celebration were
splendid Illustrations of the energy and re-
sources OF that popular paper, and should be
preserved for future historical reference
Quite fiutter of excitement has been occa
stoned in the local politics of Tallahassee, in
consequence of the approaching municihaf
election, ana the best classes of the citizens
nave joined IN an earnest effort to secure a
good government. The town is sadly in need of
various highly necessary improvements and
cannot De expected TO prosper rapidly until
they are e1ected. There are several things that
strike strangers unfavorably, and that could
be remedied at little cost and trouble The
nominations made for the city Offices hy the
committee appointed are entirely 4nexcep-
tiOnable, and should receive the Cordial sub
port OF all who have the welfare of the com
mGnity at heart.
A bill has been introduced in the Assembly
providing for geological survey of the State
While Florida has no rich deposits of minerals
there can be no doubt that an examination Nv
experts would reveal many discoveries &f
great value to her citizens. There are numeF-
GUS beds of mari that should be analyzed as
well as the waters of many of the springs that
contain medicinal properties. 1t is honhd
that the bill will become a law, ae the dost
would be small and the probable advantages
The nomination of Judge King, of Gaines
vile, to fill the vacancy occasiOned by the
death of Judge Dawkins, seems to have gifpn
OF fTGf nnfV IVr.1.r T.
tleman of unimpeachabe character and of
admitted ability, and has in former days wlrn
the Judicial ermlne spotlessly and hohUfakIv
He will discharge the duties Of his ex alfed
Office.without fear and without favor
A bill has passed the Assembly to incJr-
porate the Dundee and Florida Jute Gem
pany. splendid specimen of jute fibre is
now hanging in Assembly Hall, showing The
article as prepared in primitive style, $md
indicating what can be effected in its cultfSa
tion. 1t is capable of being made an 5m-
portant adjunct to the products of this StIte.
and can be made one of its leading industriss n +,
New towns are beginning to spring up ~ ~
along the line of the Pensacola and AtlaZ!..i'c Z
Railroad, and the entire route is alive TN Nsrn ,r
the hum of industry and progress. There " "afe i
many desirable locations for settlements;
that region, and a new order of things "
being instituted. West Florida has all TIE
elements required for q rapid and healthy
growth, and her former apparent inactivity
will soon be thing of the past. Her feI- ne
soil, magnificent forests, and other ADVANTAGES
must soon be made known, now that they gah "a
readily be reached and examined, and ann
vestigation of them cannot fail to be initsne
highest degree satisfactory. ''lchabOd% CJdo
been erased, and the word Progress stseus
out in prominent letters.
Assembly Hall is utilized every su1t1tahyy
afternoon by the temperance people. By tile tiHle
way, no advance has yet been made III
strengthening the hands OF these w0fker3 no no
measures having yet been passed of matefaI
service: A strong attempt win be made at ee
close of the session to throw additional p
strictiOns around the sale of intOxicalaL<
liquors. The license for retailing spirit9E
liquors is fixed in the finance and taxa6l99n
bill at the former figures, which may be Fou-
lhed. These matters must be brought az t
gradually. The people are not prepared list
yet for prOhibitOry law, and require edgcd-
tiOn ON the subject.
The remarkably warm weather still Pm
tinues, and the thermometer here has not f l.
en- under fifty degrees since the 25th of Jy-u
ary. Not a fire has been lighted in the CpI-'
tol for fortnight, and the members pHsue
their labOrs with open doors and WindMs;
The Land is fast being prepared for crOH Vi
all descriptions. --.-' i--='--,s--.
Both houses were faithfully occupied tnls
morning in the consideration of ordinary Plsi-
ness, and rapid progress was effected a
joint resolution to adjourn at II m. ON Fray
the second of March, passed the Senate uRIIi-
mously. This will complete the cOnstitu,Oh-
al period of sixty days,
The bill, known as the barge canal biz 10
traverse the Okefenokee swamp and corect
takenup next Wednesday.
A bill passed the Senate permitting hs-
bands and wives in divorce cases to testE
against each other. These matrimonialsfS
are already too easily ruptured, and it W .z i
be far better to throw additional restriGohs
around the law as it now exists, ratherpan
to open the meshes Of the net more WHY
You can scarcely pick up paper withOIoD-
serving one or more applications for divsce' |
and the practice is becoming far too geneii' |
Wherever divorces are easily and cheaplyD- |
tanned there is very generally laxity of pp
lie morals with all its usual sad results. A. |
The Ass sembly has adopted very senpIe
resolution, in which the Senate should IN
cur. 1t instructs the Attorney Generate |
omit from the published laws of the presI I
session all the resolutions and memoriafo /
Congress relative to the e'establishreent of ,Et 4
routes, cleaning out rivers, harbons, etc. III /
is done to avoid. the expense, and for Il
reason that all such documents are, as gen
eral rule; mere waste paper. There has been
an absurd humber of such papers introduced.
and there is about as much chance for one OF
them to attract the attention of Congress as
to draw prize In a lottery.
The Senate is still wrestling with the bill for
the assessment and collection of revenue. An
effort to strike out all license fees failed. "A
long debate took place on the amendment to
reduce the license for selling spirituOhs. vi
nous and malt liquors from $500 to $50, which
is still in progress: ". II. b.
SEVEN GRINDsTONES BURST.
One Man Killed and Much Damage Done
by the Singular Accident.
A special dispatch from SteubenVille,
Ohio, says: A frightful accident eee,,,...--zz'
af fhQ MinO0 iron W0rl-~