davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-01-01

s1The report of the Secretary of TIM
J Treasury presented some interesting Tea
tares. The ordinary revenues from alb
sources for the fiscal year endedsJune so,
1859, were 1898, 2s7 ,5sl, az against $403,
81, 260 for the previous year, decreases:
of 49, ,6sl. On customs there was
falling off of s., 7O4, PA of internal rev
enue, only $l,777,227, and of miscellane.
Gus sources, 1858, 1914. There was an in
crease from sales of public lands OF
$3,2O2,72
+ The ordinary expenditures for 1883
were $265, 4Oe,l 37, against $254 ,650,s95
in 1882. This is an apparent increase of
$10,757,242. But the interest on the
public debt in 1882 was = ,9l7, O75 more
than in 1883, so that the actual increase
Of ordinary expenditures in 1888 over
1882 was 22,674,3l7.
This is bad showing for Republican
economy. The increases were: Civil
list, "a, 3OO,s99 foreign intercourse,
81, IL ,692 Navy Department, 1881 1891 !;
War Department, including rivers and
harbors, &c, $5,34O,sss pensions,
1867 $3.50, and miscellaneous, $685. 23
The Indian expenses decreased 1884,
157.
The revenues for the current fiscal
year, with three-quarters estimated, after
deducting the expenditures and $50, 000,-
900 for the Sinking Fund, will add $780,
100000 to the Treasury surplus, with
which the government does not know
what to do, and the estimates for the tis-
tal year ending June 30, 1885, will, it is
calculated, add another 500, 900, 900 to the
idle fund, provided no revenue reform is
secured.
Secretary Folger took a view of the sit
uation which puzzled some of his party
friends. He did not think that the rev.
enues should be so far reduced AS to pre-
vent the application each year of SOC, OO0,-
900 to the Sinking Fund. But he did not
see the necessity or the wisdom Of accu-
mulating in addition from $4,000, 900 to
500, 0OO, 900 surplus revenue which is not
required, and which already amounts to
more than 300, 100000.
President Arthur, in his message, said
that by the legislation of the last Con-
gress " the annual tax and tariff receipts
of the government have been cut down to
the extent of at least fifty or sixty mil
lions of dollars' This is not borne out
by the figures or by the statements of the
Secretary Of the Treasury. The reduc-
ton in the internal revenue receipts is
surprisingly insignificant, and the Secre-
tary said of the tariff: g The actual re-
suits so far obtained indicate that the re-
.duction labored for has not been effected
by the new tariff act. 1t is to be consid-
cred that the failure is not to be charged
to the increase of mportationS keeping up
the amount Of customs revenue. The sta
tistics of our foreign commerce show that
| there has not been an increase chargeable
Herewith" Thus Secretary Folger con
ceded the Republican legislation Of last
session to have been a failure. 1t neither
relieved the people of taxation nor reduced
the large surplus revenue.
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-01-01
Caurhf at Last.

Frank r. Sherwin has been convicted
at Albany, New York, for completely in
defrauding the State OF New York out OF
some $500, 1000, through the State Cashier,
Charles H. Phelps. Phelps was tried and
convicted and sentenced to the peniten.
tiary for fifteen years. He died recently.
Sherwin evaded justice for several years,
but has at last received his deserts. He
was convicted on three indictments, on
two of which he pleaded guilty. He was
sentenced to the penitentiary for two
years at hard labor, and fined $500.
Sherwin was a sharp rascal. He figured
in Florida in 1875, and was the confiden-
tial friend of Governor Stearns in the
election Of that year, and in the count
that followed. The ultimate defeat of
Stearns for Governor disarranged large
scheme to get possession of the j.. 2. 4
M. Railroad (now called the Florida Cen
trail and Westerly, about which an inter-
esting chapter might be written. Sher-
win has managed to become wealthy, and
the New York World, in mentioning his
conviction, heads its paragraph" The
Millionaire 10 60 to the Penitentiary."
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-01-01

w Florida Claims.
81 Whit are known a. the Flo claim
ave BEEN before CofDNM ip te\ APt
another, for man 5es ihdifa,
Cons are that they Fill y pr Ned ~
s@ thtn the usualV tgoR the tessS u
settlement of some &ihd. Whhe'k iss
| not stated that Spait Wallssefuse to pay
the awards against her by the Spanish
American Claims Commission, which ad-
kjourne1 last, January, nntl s0me definite
arrangsHent is made respecting. the Flor.
ida claims. there is a. suspicion that abe
will. Those who pretend to know some
thing about the history Of the Florida
claims hold that Spain would be justthed
IN such refusal. These Florida claims
had their origin in tho war OF 1912, when
East Florida, at that time province OF
Spain, was invaded by United States
troops. This country was on the eye or
war with Great Britain, and it was
thought probable that Great Britain
would occupy the country in question,
and use the advantage thus gained
against the United States. Spain pro-
tested against the invasion, and suose-
quently demanded satisfaction tor the
losses sustained by her subjects. III lels
a treaty was made between Spain and this
country by which the Floridas became a
part of the territory of the United States.
in that treaty the United States agreed
10 compensate those who suffered by the
h sl2 invasion. In 1922 the Federal courts
of the Territory of Floridawere authorized
by an act of Congress to adjudicate the
claims. At the same time An appropria-
tion was made to pay them. The ad}adl-
cations were made, and those in favor of
Spanish subjects were certified to the Sec
Rotary of the Treasury for payment.
That official, Eli Woodbury., assumed au-
shortly to review The findings of the courts.
Some he, paid, but the greater portion he
refused 10 pay. The amount Of the un-
paid claims is about $l,aO0OO0. Secre-
taries Of the. Treasury since Mr.. Wood
bury's time have refused to. take any &C
ton with regard TO them. Az the begin
ming of the Forty-seventh Congress the
present Secretary Of State addressed a note
to the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs
Committee suggesting that Congress
should take some action with regard to the
claims, and pointing out three ways Of
dealing with them. Congress, however,
did nothing. and it remains to be seen
what action the new Foreign Affairs Com
mittee will take in regard to them. 1t is
clear that Congress ought to do one of
three things: refuse to pay them, pay
what is claimed, or if there is a dispute
as to the sum which ought to be paid,
have the claims investigated, and pay
what is found to he due. 1t is neither
Just nor fair to allow these claims TO re
main unsettled, while acknowledging liza
bility for them.
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-01-01

The astronomer of the Rochester
Uemocrut and Chronicle has finally made
up his mind about the cause Of the red
sunsets, or rather after-sunsets. He aban-
dons the meteoric cosnic dust y
theory as unsatisfactory, and throws the
responsibility for the curious and beauti.
full phenomenon on the much enduring
sun. The season has been remarkable for
sun-storms, he says, and these have actu-
ally decomposed the vapors in the upper
air, if not the air itself, thereby produc-
ing stratum which reflects the sunlight
to a high degree" ''''
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-01-01
EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
TALLAHAssEE, Fla, Jan. l, 1884

Hon VIM d. Barnes Comptroller:
SIR: The assessed valuation of properly in
the State for purposes Of taxation amounted
in 1882 to $45,2S5,977, which sum included
the valuation OF the several railroads in the
State, then claiming exemption from taxatie
under their charters. The valuation for 1888
will be fully fnot over $55 900 900. showing an ip
crease, from our progressive development, in one
year, of about ten million dollars
There will, of course be a large decrease from
licenses, which from the best estimates will re-
duce the States revenue for 1884 about $50 900
frem this source, while we will receive for the
same period, for State purposes, 81, POS from
the railroads recently decided to be liable to
taxation by the U. 3. Supreme Court, this being
three mills upon their assessed value
Notwithstanding this large decrease from liz
censes, yet the data furnished me by yourself
and the Treasurer Of the present financial con
ditiOn of the Stale, and the large increase in OUR
assessments, warrants me iii exercising the
authority, vcsted in the Executive by the Legis
ature, of reducing the taxes.
You will, therefore, give the proper directions
to have assessed and collected only three mills
State tax for 1884, TO meet the expenses of car
rying on the State government, and other ap-
preparations made by the Legislature for 1884
and to pay the interest on our bonded indebted
ness for said year. Very respectfully,
w D. BLoxHAM, Governor.
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-01-01

Opens in jacksonville on the 18th of Feb
ruarv, and continues until the 18th of
same month. Send to Major A. j. Rus
sell, of this city, for premium lists, etc.
The time for preparation is short; but
our resources are many, various and Won
deriul, and with proper effort we can make
the coming exhibition credit to our
State, and in every way great success.
Let the counties muster all their products,
and meet i'll friendly rivalry; and let
everyone who is engaged i'll productive in
lustry bring forward something to help
fill mp the tables. Florida now stands in
the front rank Of the progressive States
Of the New South" and She must main
tain her prestige.
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-01-01
DECEMBER l.. 1899

IJE' EMBEK 7 Z, INN'I.
E}hto,,x 81 the Florida Dapatch:
If my motion is in order, rise to nomi-
nate Judge w. II. Sebring, of Bronson,
Levy county, as Commissioner for the
State at large to work up, stimulate and
set in motion big boom for the exhibits
of Florida at the New Orleans Exposi-
ton Of next year But | am entirely
willing to leave this nomination subject TO
the action Of the forthcoming Agricnl-
tural Convention, to be held at Gaines
Vile, or elsewhere. Judge Sebring goes
everywhere, sees everything, and know,
everybody, and he looks to me like the
right man for the work. Yours truly,
PENISSUIAR
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-01-01

Visiting our readers "happy new year"
we reinforce the wish with the subjoine1
good tidings, being q copy of the letter q
instructions to-day issued by Gosernor
BLoxHAM to Comptroller BARS wherein
the people Of the State are informed that
the administration is enabled to reduce the
rate of assessment one mill and thus light
en- the burden of taxation the current year
by the amount of over fifty thousand dol
lars-a noble "new years gift" Demo
cratic administration of the government
al affairs of Florida received the State
from the Republicans under taxation Of
twelve and half mills, and seven years
later the tax is reduced more than two
thirds, and the government has been re-
lieved meanwhile OF the embarrassment
Of large floating debt bequeathed by
former maladministration of affairs.
With the constitutional one mill tax for
schools added, the State levy is now but
four mills, or less than one-third what it
was seven years ago, and this last abate-
ment of one mill is justified notwithstand-
ing the falling of of license revenue to the
estimated amount of fifty thousand dol
lars:
EXECUTIVE OFFICE. -.
Tallahassee, Fla, Jan. /, 1884
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-01-01
Written for the FLoRInxH.l 4 -
Lake - Aa. Il SON u !.


This beautiful sheet ol water is to the north
west of Talahassoe. In ths summer lime ii lies
SURROUNDED by grand old hills covered as lty are
with an almost tropical forest. In the winter
its CLASSY Surface reflects Tie bright sunlight as
would Il mirror 81 steel The Indians long ago
gavs Ia beautiful name, which L cannot now
recall But the name OF The great Old hero of
New Orleans has long been applied TO il, and
long perhaps as its waters reflect the stars that
nightly look upon II will II I've known by the
name of Lake Jackson. . - - tt"a
Manya year around its borders slaves labored
for their masters, aud in the midst of great panr
tations stately houses arose. From these mag
drive down to the lake to take rides upon its
softly swelling bosom. Byron tells US Of deep
Galilee, and in bis I Prisoner OF Chillon" we
have clear and placid Lehman, but, never i'm song
or story has more beautiful sheet OF water been
celebrated than this Of which write 'Tis true
that the world at large knows not Of il, ye, it is
more Than beautiful !, u. 80
In days, now passed children, who are now
men and women played beside It's low waves
The soft moonlight kissed it's waters, and all WIS
happiness. hut the grand and tragic passage ia
nations life, war, IN few short years dispeiled
that happiness, and pow where once was stately
s aSls sse sad a ~as o we nays
Thankful are we, how ever, THAT the heavy
clouds have rolled by. Among tlle4 hills and
dales Of all the Seuhern States he .loiIipg mil
loas Of 0t4sr lnnas esn aaa homes IL, / Was T j.
Southern negroes furnished the gifted Hafris
with Folk Lore, and whsrs the toiling millions
referred to above come into the lSduth we can
draw from the pegeE Of MIR. Harris, a4d yell them
fap "Ancfnt Regime" aaw passed away which !ic
And now although the Old times have passed
Awayisn all i,lines Ane new this lake of which
Iwr!te is Is lovely M eyer, About ita sAqres The
stately homes have Asappearsd, and the scenery
around i Ii changed, but tiig low south &ina
rippies It's watefa and the auh mowers hi I'm
giving light and h1atupos Il I'D ii Abe old 'eati
days when the little negpees played slnonG the
rows Sf green qpgp elsqse Ay Az eahfR sl4rE,i
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-01-01

, Tie celebration i'm honor of the steam.
;ship City of Palatka came off last Thurs
E: e.: :: f.;
moving throng. The Sd. Artillery Band
came up early in the morning and d's-
eoursed sweet music during the day: Wv
srs 4 Railway, sufEeisanat ' Afst.eiass .oo9S
modatiops on thelSpad was . matter OF III
g gsas9s }lEt.' Rss rs%n dffefsa3t BIT
The Florida Southern, however. brought
down the largest exchfAbn patty that has
ever passed over their road. These were
saet en- their arrival by our. citizens, WAN
The band, and escorted to the refreshmeht
rooms, where a good lunch was LAID OUT
and the inner man refreshed. The stesa
ship City Of Palatka gave an exchrslon 70
Ban Mateo hr thei ufAerhbdtiy and os0in"
return, twasi vlsitedsbyt f,NAarefihns Peo.
pie who had failed tossse her owing"
lateness of the incoming .traip.
The froEnhg teattre IF the Io1eas 20.
was the bali, which 'clme bf tn the ono
building of the Florida S0utbers. sa1
which was largely, attended, Ips n.n
was handsomely and approprlsly deCo,
ssted, and the music was excelients -. -
sryone enjoyed the dance md ~ lpls y.
ant psstime was engaged in ANITA
hour. va h ~ "a '@
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-01-01

and perhaps dram for &1oe on psrt N.,..
Bank, New York. aa
ANOTHER LETTER NOT DATED nur
l WRITTEN SUBSEQUENTLY, TO TIE Anov. M
! DEAR Shelf: If any claims are n,.....
against you for payment except rent for : n ~
Sver occupied, don't pay. Bill DIVA 49,
live small bill for washing, probably v ~
board. My funeral expenses will or on.s. s.'e
TO exceed $40. / have made all the No.. aoi
aers payable to you, and drah, as You viiI % %
Your brother, L. 5, DIV,
Having made over to you all thes. 49, :
you can spend thf honey p the, best ldvsSvSsmsa
II any administrator is 10 be Sppoi11S [ts9t
Watch. masonic medal and gun to 20 10 ss,~.-.
snd all things 10 both trunks be wsaA1 o.,
tNes YonSl sal "a iitIt1MA M
LETTER TO HIS SON DOUGLAsx
. DEAR DoUe.: Your father is about to ii. =.
boy Your uncle Shef sasshe ljfilr ,tAls 10y ~
dt you If do Everything in my boz -
a. you, and some money your uncle She6 I'm
give you from nie saTrJ 10 be honora M "a y
dustrious and will fare we'll Rememhes IN =.
four father, whatever his faults were. vas 49,.
Again ! say, God bless you, my bow anS =.
other children. Consult your uncle Shes -
eDre leaving for anywhere. am sorry 49,
have turned out disastrously, but Il WA CT
viii. DIR. Nc. (McDonHld) will look ont In ~
ill your uncle Shelf comes. Yonr lovinr ~.
! DEc., 1888. .r .. s.. Duv.,
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-01-01

Prof. Wbitner and family have ar
rived and are domiciled at Mr.. w. T.
Carpenters. They will open the Summerlin
Institute as soon as needed repairs are
made.-Bdrtow Informant.
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-01-01

The many frieuds OF Judge and Mrs. Gwynn WIN be
deeply panied read this sad OF the h
tiers death which occurred her homs on the ngh Of
December the 18th. 3.tif.e q .
Mrs. Gwynn was the daughter VI of TAllAhSGsseb
lamented citizens, DIR. Miles Nash, and both before
aud since her marriage with Judge Gwynn has had es
cicle of apprccative friends, who account Of her
many Christian virtues aHaatnishie nualte9of mind
aud character together w4H IN evsf VI ght I'D cheerful
disposition, will greatly Mia her. cpd sadly moYAAf
absepee from their miAsts Although omSkat FeRased
for this sad event. she having suffered long and patiently
from that dread maldy eonsspptpp tfsse*ho ssW her
only few weeks ago, and witnessed amidst the most r.
tense suffering bright cheernlness whichc Gait sunshne
a. .sds. were sSss arss,s fE s0uf rP but -
markable that knowing her end was 20 ear this gooa
woman cop4 and did to tpeFFyAat Peep bright ~
happ..
Mrr GWtnh leaves a deeply tbeseaE@G hAsAaAd and
loving little OF years, who have the hesrts
sympathy of the entire community. May they realise
hat +''.F D g. Aus : s!aslJiof uuOI .1HA
Mere death dsaied. poor psn would lvs in vslP
Spring from our tettsrs, 5asteD to the akies,
Where blooming Edo 4ithef4 from OR sight.
This king OF terfors II the prince OF peace"
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-01-01
The Death Of Dr. IHcfss =. .MssAi.

The Death Of Dr. kpcken H.5M3x1h.
TALLAHASSEE, d., Dec. d lsss ,
Editor. Fl1sdsan 1An for kindlsetr 1ly-
ing with M g 4st i ID gblish anys&iag Dr.
taining to my fhe Nd 9. puyt ssiiSsae
until / had iI ttiq fd matter. & ~
cellent health he Id klwxTs enjoyed aheever
cheerful nature Of hiSApind, his stsaAy sober
habits, his exemption from the use Of s<,dAssves
and narcotics, freedom from financial eEAbafrass-
ment and unusual family cares, his suigadets an
enigma. will venture totaeseF thet ny o. thfee
recall an instance of his being 10 i'll Rl,aifh or
low spirits. "Evsmm'she dsfk hos,rs Of yhe war.
whena Vie ypissles Of deStuctiop ~werI raining,
death at2t@li mn in fle teqdtA Of Pep abnrg,.
as $s "a sSS !t1vs !. ,s q a. The he
took cold on hierfiytl Ffm Texas, wERt pro-
softening of the brain, for he so expressed him
sei III g. 11S'e S Sss'a, If ssslsH
have reasons, ~ suspect he had = 'o'Ah' shot
himself
After consultation with those with whom he
Was tAost intimate, they all agree thai tie en-
closed letters should be published for tses salts
ta,,tiSn Of his absent and distant frehtSs The
One to his son Douglass shows the depth OF his
feeling; and should've a beacon Of llgs4 70 The
boy III an the dark and cl6uded hours o!stits life
In, lit. ~ Deaves him legacy more vsl,sSkae than
iii the gold that glitters in the sands of aa'iior-
hia--A0pesty. ,..ll Il: T.
The Doctor leaves three children, ail:ytswn,
Two girls, Nena and Annie, and son, T:ppXlass,
10 m0arrn his ossa Mems 10 maFriA& To- ;HF1Jas.
Wright, Of TexAs ITO Mamie, Who les been
Afflicted from childhood from the effectsiDt ~ r.
let fsvep and ~ fearful burning, .thsngh t<ftectly
healthy now, he seems ioswish I" dcvof. all or
most of his money. In this, it shows hosy lh'ir
his Judgment was impaired His wife cit4l epout
6fietn Years ago fHis handwriting ifdtds,es
DO nervousness, except in the letter 10 Mr..
Walker there he has blotted out several words
Ihe ink perceive was miserable, whicis might
have occasioned that as his letters in pesrif aIe
perfectly distinct. All the money or.isfg are
bropery endorsed, except the chick wip;h he
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-01-01
This little gem, though written many yeAn
sso, is reproduced ~ hfsdttally sppra4ia.tN
"0Dd spakek tft
Bring home the beautiful Of earth

0Dd spakek a.
Bring home the beautiful OF earth
60 forth, thou Reaper, with thy scythe
Regard not plant nor tears -..
Go bring Inc flowers, fresh and blithe,
want no '''t'sf ! :ohAh Z nj
Obedlently the Reaper sped - Il
Upon his mission driven; ,
He paused beside a young girls bed
Sweet hower-this-for Heaven
H. s..,s sp.. &, . ..l sJA,..Vs 40
As trustngly she slept
He marked her attitude Of grade,
The stern old Reaper wept. ia. ,x.,.ft,f{
"
Must this lovely blossom break
FROM OF tits parent stemr -
From its proud stock this treasure take 80.
And rob him of his gems + Yhtllk
Again he pausea-and gazed the while,
Still unprepared to sever i; l....a
He breath'd sigh, then with a smile
The Reaper fatered-never.
y,: ~ ~ 1
tie grasped his seythe, ana strpck the aewtri
Snapp'd from its stock 1t fell
bnt, Reaper, here doth end thy power
Here broken is thy spell VI. t,, -.
VII
For ere its petals touch d the sod
Angels had born it to its God
A spotless flower, "a pearl OfSprice."
TO bloom fOre'er In Paradise.
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-01-01

The Commercial and Financial Chroni-
Gle, in its weekly summary Of railroad
earning, gives the following report of the
business of our Florida railroads
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-01-01
ffIcls1slJ Tid pf psmplare .p,na,itiiDs
III ''s, 81. e H' a ?s III e..

10 this son, for he was too rational not Is Know
his boy would not enjoy any such II sntlvenn
And strange to say that letter appears 70 have
been written the day he shielded. A. 90 my
brothers intelligence ! would prefer others 10
write. viii venture to say, however, als ct his
boon $htances will asrest that he was fhanI ."
inorc than ordinary mind. With -n expression
bf very deep gratitude for the ch.ld like conf
Hence he leaves all things 10 my Judgment and
alonor, will now close.
| Respectfully, II. :. DrtAI-
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-01-01

...t-0, r. U .lly s fqqrrsysr,| The good die
young.
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-01-01

In Leon county Florida Decenber 9th l6sa EnANkLn
ELLIS, only child Of s. NJ and Y +. Pepper, aged one
year and eleven months. -
!: A.. / s,sss 4 on. s1at,
Spreads lts bright wings ahd scars up above,
And rests in the sunlight OF infinite love.
Oh pArsats fpns, moan bot 4&d\r@t Eoee
Bot know in Heaven again you'll claim your own
Theu trust in God until the time Shall come n
waep you and he sAaA meet Ahep44ltb u Ill
RRAnroRDvIIIE, Jan. ], 1884. l.