Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-05-15
JACKSONVILLE AND THE STATE
The Route Which the Missouri Editors
May Follow, and Other Matters.


The Route Which the Missouri Editors
May Follow, and Other Matters.
Correspoadsnee Of the Morning Yslos.
JACKSONVILLE. FLA. May IA committee
has been appointed by the Board Of Trade to
make arrangements for the reception and
entertainment Of the Missouri Press Associa-
ton, which is expected shortly. They will
probably be taken to Mayport and Fort
George Island. where they can inspect the Jet
ties and get Whit Of the ocean breeze and
dish Of fsh chowder. The usual programme Is,
nowadays, TO visit St. Augustine, run up the
river as far as Sanford. and there take the
cars for Tampa. Returning, they may diver
sify the trip BIZ a run to Pensacola, and thence
home via New Orleans. Such a route viii
enable them to see portions Of all the sections
Of the State-east. south, middle and west
and to form a pretty correct estimate OF our
prospects and inducements. The various rail-
road and steamboat lines, with their accus-
toned nberalIty, VIII furnish all the desired
facilities, while the people at large will
extend a hospitable welcome.
such a visit is worth much to Florida. Ii
means the publication Of hundred or more
articles, conveying the impressions Of as many
thoughtful writers. relating TO the advantages
of State that Is nos attracting general pub
lie attention. The great contrast presented
between the appearance OF the growing crops
Of Missouri and Florida viii strike the West
/ ern editors with wonder and establishment.
| They Will be toasted with all the vegetables
! and many OF the fruits Of the country, and
/ when they reach Tampa viii find green corn
| and watermelOns. Florida is now in fine con-
/ ditiOn for Inspection, and cannot fail to make
a most favorable impression upon visitors.
| PARTIES AT THE NORTH ARE MEDITATING
| the establishment Of an educational institu-
/ ton in this State, similar to that at Chautau
| qua. \. Y :. to be conducted during the win
| ter. such an enterprise would doubtless be
! successful, and would attract large number
/ OF intellectual and progressive persons. who
/ would be drawn hither for the advantages Of
/ such a course as welLas for the benefit Of the
| climate.
The completion Of the Savannah, Florida
/ and Western Railway system to the town Of
| Gainesville is Of the greatest importance to
/ that community. It's central situation in the
| midst of q rich agricultural region, its excel
| lent transportation facilities, its fine educa-
| tiOnal advantages and the general enterprise
| OF Its people, all point to its rapid growth and
| progress. Gainesville has long aspired to be-
| come the future capital, and whenever such a
| change Is to be effected viii be in position
| to press her claims with force and vigor. The
| strong probability is that she will be in the
near future the largest and most important
| city in the interior Of the State. The writer
has always felt a warm interest in Gaines
vile, as he was one Of its very earliest citizens,
/ having moved there 1875, before the court
| house was transferred from Newnansvllle.
SUITS FOR LIBEL AGAINST NEWSPAPERS
| have been very rare in Florida. and the verdict
| rendered on Saturday against the Times Union
| is the only one, according to my recollection,
| ever given in which damages were awarded.
suits were commenced some years ago by Rev.
| W. W. Hicks against the editors of the Jack
| sonville Press, claiming damages for $4,000
each. and big joe Stewart, of Washington,
| ID. c., desired to mulct the same gentlemen in
a similar amount. These cases meyer came to
| trial and were finally stricken from the dock
| ct.
A military encampment is to be organized
near Pensacola this summer, and invitations
| have been extended to all Of the uniformed
| companies in the State TO participate. 1t is
! possible that Jacksonville may be represented.
There Is a growing disposition to sustain the
| military. and the East and West Florida
| seminaries are annually turning out some
| very promising graduates, whose martial
| training will fit them to become excellent
| officers. These organizations should be en-
! cOuraged. as their services would be of the
| greatest value in case Of an emergency.
| The river and harbOr bill apprOpriates the
| sum Of $685., 200 to the State of Florida, OF
which amount $4,000 will be expended upon
| the improvement at the mouth OF the st.
| Johns river. Had double that amount been
! secured it would have enabled the work to
| have been carried on continuously without
| the lapse OF several months before another APP
! preparation could be obtained, as has been the
| case hereto before. We should be thankful for
slice Of the national loaf but the work is Of
such pressing Importance that our gratitude
| Is not of the gushing character.
IsEE THAT THE DIRECTORS
| OF the Atlantic and Gulf Canal Company are
to consider proposition made by an English
| syndicate, to purchase the chafer and COM
| plete the enterprise. This would be work of
| the utmost value, not only to the entire cOun-
try, but especially so to the States Of Georgia
| and Florida. 1t is far more feasible and less
costly than the proposed ship canal across our
] peninsula, while the facilities that would be
/ afforded would be of the greatest Importance
| to the commerce Of the world. Aside from the
| necessity Of such an enterprise as an outlet for
the products of the Mississippi Valley, the
| work would assist very materially in the
| reclamation OF the hundreds Of thousands Of
acres Of the rich lands now embraced in the
! OkenOkee swamp and their speedy utiliza-
| ton for agricultural purposes. The action
| Of the board Of directors will be awaited with
! much interest.
| Two very successful excursions were made
| last week to the snapper banks, the first boat
| capturing ninety and the second one hundred
and seven of the crimson beauties. These
| fishes viii average sixteen or seventeen
| pounds, and when the proper location is dis
| covered they bite as rapidly as cod off New
| FOundland. These banks furnish, in addition
to snappers, the grouper, black fish, crOakers,
| p0rgIes, sharks, etc. IL some Of your sports
| men would charter a steamer and secure the
services OF one Of our bar pilots they might
| reasonably expect a day of rare amusement
| and enjoy novel experience.
THE SHIPMENTS OF STRAWBERRIES
to northern markets has ceased, and fine fruit
| is now abundant at a dime a quart, thus
! bringing this luxury within the reach Of per-
sons Of moderate means. There have been
| shipped from this point about $4,000 quarts
THIS season, realizing perhaps $4,000, Lice
| little sum from one OF the small Industries
Our streets are now receiving some atten-
ton from the municipal authorities and there
| Is some prospect that Bay street, our prinCi-
| pal thoroughfare, will eventually be put in a
decent condition. We laber under a defcen-
| cy Of good and pleasant drives in and around
| the city.
The fund for the Confederate Home contin-
| ues to accumulate and promises soon to reach
| two thousand dollars. Quite a number Of the
| towns in the State are making collections for
the laudable purpose. 1t would be a good idea
| to locate a branch Of the Home in this State,
| where the disabled veterans would not be sub
| iected to the trying winters Of more northern
| ATTITUDES.
A plan of the deaf and dumb asylum to be
! located at st. Augustine shows a group Of
! handsome and comfortable buildings, which
| present quite an ornamental appearance, and
| which will be furnished with all the appliances
| TO promote the mental development of the I'M
| fortunate inmates. Florida requires now an
| institution for the blind, and viii then be on
| q par with her sister States in providing for
/ the afflicted, who have a claim upon her
/ charity.
/ The newspaper men of this city have been
! fired by the recent trial of the endurance Of
! the Atlanta scrbes, and there has been some
! ia to-day respecting a similar contest in our
| midst. Some of the members of the gang are
! airpedestrians and cover considerable ground
/ daIy, but it is doubtful il any of them can
! equal the record made by the Georgia foot
/ cavalry W. II. b,