The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-09-02
DEMOCRATIC RETURN u FLORIDA.
COY. BLOXHAM'S GREAT SPEECH,

lhe following is the substance of Gov.
ernor Bloxham's speech as reported by
the Jacksonville Times Union, which was
delivered at Park Theatre in that citv on
the 2oth August, before a crowded audi
tory. The speech was in compliance
with the invitation of the Perry and
Cleveland club, which was the fortunate oc.
caslon that called forth this most CRAFTY
ing comparative exhibit of Republican
and Democratic administrations and of
the present condition of State affairs.
While those of the Internal Improvement
Fund, and the Disston Sale, are so clearly
explained that none who read can plead
ignorance of the wise management of the
Board OF Trustees. The splendid record
made by the Democratic party in its con,
troll OF the Government of Florida il 90.
surance that the people will not permit it
to pass into the hands of the opposition.
AT ten minutes past eight Governor Hull
presiding, raped for order and in "A few brief
words introduced Governor Bloxham. who
stepped forward and delivered not only The hes,
| speech We have ever heard from his lips but one
| OF The best political speeches that was ever de.
lvered in jacksonville. Nothing less than a
| tull report would do The speech Justice but the
following is careful synopsis of what the Gov
| ernor said
Governor BIOxham's speech.
IL Is not my intention in accepting your kind
invitation to enter the inviting field of National
| | "a 70
| reputation rs public speaker | shall not
| attempt to offer you the sparkling cup, rich in
lne 2mOr0sla OF ancient st0rv-much less fruit
piutked from the garden OF intellect or goblet
niied al the fnnt OF thought Remembering the.
saying OF Metiernch, one OF the ablest and most
| successful Prime Ministers of modern times. that
satesmanshlp Is II practical know ledge of a
states resources" | shall devote my time and
invite your attention TO a discussion OF Safe
ISSUES, however dull The topic may be
We are again confronted as We were in 1915
and 1881, by HE Republican party in "A contest
Tor supremacy in the control of our State y,,v
ernment. The people need not be misled hv
this so-calied lndependenism. 1t is the thinncst
gauze that was ever thrown around the plU1i.
gate carcass of Florida RadcalIsm Ii is sup
ported by the worst elements OF the Republican
party. Having been condemned by the people
at repeated elections, aud being unable bv Re
turning Boards and county precinct manipua.
tons to longer defy The popular will as expressed
lead The public by Slight change in the head of
the Stale ticket. But it is the same old orran-
Zatlon, the same blind, ignorant followers, and
has Tor lis object he elevation to power oi the
worst elements of RadlcalI,m in Florida
independents, with the zeal of neophytes. the
bitterness of apOstatts stand indtpendent of the
Democratic pary-but entirely dependent upon
the Republican party. What ii spectacle does
Mr. Pope present 10 The people of The State?
Protesting 10 be " Independent" he and his
irtnds rush to Tallahassee to secure an endorse
ment, n"rnln ton, by coored Radical con-
vention, that did not represent the best elements
"f the Republican party. Upon becoming their
candidate he SAYS To them in bis. .e's44oi ~, RI
ment 10 the ignorant people as 10 the educated.
| thank you again for tins honor and assure you
that shall not forget you-never." Such is the
report of his speech in the Land If Fyo,cers, and
its editor informed me that the report was cor
rect. Such lndependentism is absolute slavery
to the Republican leaders.
Who is Mr. Pope supporting for Congress in
his Congressional District! Will he dare oppose
Mr.. Bisbee, the head of Radical machine poll
tics? Is he not giving Mr. Bsbee his supporty
Does mol Mr.. bisbcc attribute to Mr.. Pope his
election TWO years ago over General Finley, by
increasing his majority in Madison county from
49 TO 416? Does not the FG0rbtd J0urnGi the
leading Republican paper in the State hoist his
name with Mr. Bisbees the regular Republi-
can candidates! Does not that journal in It's is
sue of August 11ih say that it was understood
that Mr.. Bsbee in 1882 managed the coalition
in Madison county by which Mr.. Pope was in
duced to give his support 10 the Republican
ticket in that county" thus securing Mr.. Bsbee's
election?
The simple question then is, do the people de-
sire return of Republican rule in this State led
by the worst elements in that party? To answer
the question satisfactorily, il is only necessary to
contrast the rule of the two parties The light
of the past is the only means have OF judg-
ing OF the iuture-and political parties are al
| ways judged by that standard. Individuals as
candidates amount to but little, it is the record
| OF their parties that controls popular notions.
Let us then first consider the record Of the two
| parties up TO January /, 1884 upon the impor
| tant question of
STATE FINANCES
| When the Republican party came in power in
| 1868 our State debt was $523, IS, divided
| follows
Bonded debt ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. $3.50 595. .35
Floating debt. 4,36l. so
Total bonded and floating debt bt...... 1923 $50 95
In this amount is included the $132, 900 held
| by the Indian Trust Fund at Washington, and
| which the State will never be called upon TO
pay, as she has valid claim against the
| United States for larger amount for Indian
| hostilities In January, 1877 when the Demo
| cratic party came into possession of the State
| government, the debt had increased to the fol-
lowing figures
Bonded debt. 1l 0oS.
Floating debt 2y9, ,0S9 SO
Making the debt due January l. 1877 81 6S7 8S9 81
| Deduct U. g. currency left in Treasury. 81, ,3A "a
Leaving the debt bt.................&l,65 $50, ,564 81
Deduct from this the debt found by Re-
| publicans. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 90, $40 %
Showing an increased debt under Re
pubicanS. S................... ....$l ,l3Z, W. ~
1t has been repeatedly asserted that the Re-
publicans left in the Treasury $4,000 An ex-
animation of Treasurer Gwynn's report of De
cember 3lst 1877, page SO, shows the amount to
be 800, ,OOS.88i. The report, however, shows
that of this amount $31 32474 was in United
States currency, while the remainder was in
State scrip, or printed Comptroller's warrants.
generally known as "Greenback Scrip" In
other words, it was the States swn paper. and
could not be considered as cash ON hand. 1t was
afterw ards destroyed by committee of the Leg.
isature in January, 1881.
| 1t will thus be seen that the Republicans in
creased the debt 81 ,132 707.79, or about $40, :
| 600 per year, in addition the enormous
amount they collected from the people and
spent
| DECREASE OF DEBT.
| When the Democrats came in power In
January, 1877, they found the debt a.
stated above. III ,oo6 o64 64
| On January LIST, 1884, the debt was
| duced to. ,U0d,oUUUO
| Showing a decrease Of of........... $3.50 064 "a