The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-04-15
Correspondence FLoRIDIAN. !

Editors Fzortdian. l have been persuaded to
pen this article for the consideration of the pub
lie by the pcrusal OF an array of facts and fig
ures by III. r. s., a correspondent of the Quincy
Herald, at Tallahassee No good citizen can
read those statistics without passing the very high
est encomiums upon the genius which conceived
the policy, and possessed the firmness 10 execute
the plans which eliminated in the disenthrall-
ment Of the State
Nearly four years ago Bloxham's administra-
ton assumed control of the affairs of the State
under circumstances the most adverse. An in
cumbrance existed upon all the lands donated by
Congress tor system of Internal Improvements,
amounting To nearly one million dollars. The
wheels OF progress were effectually clOgged by
tins incubus. Capital was shy and immigration
slow in its movements. Each and every citizen
felt the whitening, bightng effect of theVose ct a.
claims.
Political leaders sought in VAN for solution
OF this financial problem which had for many
years racked the brain OF Foridas protoundcsl
statesmen. The period had arrived when the
attorneys representing the Eose, ct m claims
threatened to force IA sale of the entire BODY ol
Internal lmpro, emcnt Fund Lands. To delay
action was fatal. Florda's destiny hung in The
balance, and her future welfare depended ON i'm
mediate, vigorous action. Was this admin>trl-
ton, upon whose shoulders the atlas burden
rested, guilty of laches, or negligence? No
thrice no.! Napoleon in critical emergency,
child" With like decSivenrss this admnistra
tlatiOn determined to dissever limb so thai the
tr' e might be preserved To grow strong and Wig.
orous, and in its glorious maturity all trace of its
deformity would be hidden The Board OF Trus-
tees decided to sell a portion of the lands that
the remainder would not be diverted, but should
be used to build railroads and canals, as the don.
oIs originally intended Governor Bloxham was
empowered by the Board 10 find purchaser
and TO negotiate the sale. Capricious fate smiled
upon his efforts, and u purchaser was found in
the person Of Hamilton Disston, who bought
iour million acres OF the swamp and overlooked
lands mot the Internal Improvement lands
proper, for one million dollars, leaving eigh,
millions of acres, which built the Pensacola and
Atlantic Road, the South Florida Road, the
Florida Southern Road, the Tampa and Kew
West, and others, and increased the number of
miles OF railroads in operation from 537 in 1880
to 1884 in 1888
This one million dollars enabled this Ad
mistration to lift the incumbrance, and mmedi
ately The State shook off its lethargy and bounded
forward in gigantic strides towards full trui-
ton of its wonderful destiny Capital was at
tracted and large investments were made in the
State, corporations were formed to build new
railroads, and to renovate old ones, immigration
rolled in with every train, public schools and col
ieges were constructed. New life and vigor was
injected into its industrial SYSTEM thereby giving
fresh lease of life to all industries. She awoke,
as II were, from her cOmatOse condition full
grown strong and stalwart, well able to cope
with her most prosperous competitors.
-Four years ago the Bonds of the State brought
the following prices: per cents 80 to 90;
per cents 80 10 95. Now 1888: per cents
$.l3 to $1.15; per cents &1.25 to $130.
The rate OF taxation in 1880 was mills; the
rate OF taxation 10 1884 Ia 4 mills
The aggregate value OF the properly Of the
State has increased from $3l 900 900 in 1880 to
800 200 600 10 18S4."-Quoted from II. F. s.
The school fund has increased from $3.50, 900