Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-09-09

Facts and Figures for Floridians'
We desire to produce for the benefit Of
our readers in Florida certain facts
culIed from the able speech Of Gov. BlOx-
ham. recently delivered in Jacksonville.
They show in sharp aud striking contrast
the prOdigaI and reckless expenditure Of
the public funds during the eight years Of
Republican management, and the eco
nomical and prudent employment Of the
finances OF the State during the eight
years Of Democratic administration.
Even in his widest flights Of fancy, Mr..
Pope will hardly venture 10 deny the ac-
curacy Of these statistics. They are taken
from the public records, v0uched for by
the proper officers. and are part Of the
States history.
Touch the pocket nerve and the sensa-
tion is conveyed to every portion ofthe body
polite. 1t is a direct appeal to the delicate
subject Of self interest, and the matter at
once assumes importance in the eyes OF
every property holder. On the question
Of taxes. the Democrats have made mag
nidcent record. The State taxes, which
were I2IE mills on the dollar when the
Democrats came into power in 1877, were
for the present year mills, and during
the coming year will be reduced to .
mills.
The floating debt Of 1929, OS9 IS left as a
legacy by the Republicans has been ex-
tinguished, and the entire debt Of the
State, during the past seven years, has
been reduced Sjl6.096 81. During the
past four years. Gov. Bloxham says.
1.-The state has been kept upon cash
basis, and the sum Of $4,000 spent for
the Asylum. $4,000 on hand to build a
Deaf and Dumb Institute, $1,000 spent for
normal schools. and 500, 155 o. raised by
the constitutional 1 mill State tax, in ex-
cess of what the Republicans raised for
the same period.'
In the way of schools. the number in
the State, at the close Of Gov. Stearns'
administration, was GO. On March 20,
1884, the number was 1,479, with an In
crease in the attendance OF pupils during
the past six years Of 23,501. While on
this subject, it is proper also to state that
in 1876, the last year of Republican rule,
the amount expended for school purposes
was S15S,S46 90, and in 1888, the sum
reached $262, 34S %, while the principal
Of the common school fund amounts now
to Sl29,9 S4 %, showing an increase with
in the last two years of SIS, 200, or 20 per
cent.
Mr.. Pope has much to say Of 'the Diss-
ton sale,'' and in all his speeches charges
that the present administration has been
I 1su.rF Of
1900, 900 acres of the public domain>fOr
the sum Of 81, 100000. The large majority
OF those who were acquainted with the
condition Of the internal improvement
fund at the time when this transaction
was effected admit its necessity, and most
cordially indOrse the action taken. Most
Of cur Florida readers are cOnversant
with the manner in which the debt
resting upon the fund was incurred, and
Of the unavailing attempts made by
the preceding administrations to lift the
burden. This debt rested upon the fund
like an incubus, depressing all enterprises
in the line of internal Improvements,
checking immigration, and threatening,
with the rapidly accommodating interest,
to absorb at no distant period the entire
principal. 1t is also well known that the
creditors were pressing the United States
Court for an order Of sale, and that in
such an event the State would have been
deprived of all means for developing its
resources and opening communication
between the various sections.
Now let US see what grand results have
been accomplished by cancelingthe above
obligations. The decrease of taxation
and the public debt, with the increase Of
school facilities. have been already noted.
The taxable property of the State has been
doubled within the past four years, and
500 miles Of railroads have been con-
structed during the same period. lmmi-
grafton has poured in with wonderful rap
idity, and towns and villages are spring
ing up everywhere along the lines of the
new thorOughfares. Manufacturing, COM
mercial and agricultural enterprises are
attracting capital and aiding in the gen.
eral development, while lands are con-
stantIy advancing in value.
Perhaps there is no Southern State,
with the exception of Texas, that shows
the progress and growth displayed by
Florida, and this improvement appears to
be based on a sure and solid foundation.
With giant strides she is pushing forward
to a front position in the sisterhOOd of
States, and, approaching fully the fact
that her wonderful advance is due to the
wise policy of the Democratic party, she
stands and viii stand firmly fixed in her
purpose to support and maintain the
principles Of that organization.