The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-02-05
From the Sanford Journal, Jan. ST.
An Extra tseMniOm of the Legisl@fMre.

Major E. A. Burke, Drector-General OF the
Worlds Cotton Centennial Exposition, We see 1t
stated, has requested Governor Bloxham to call an
extra session OF the Legislature SO that the neces
sarv appropriations can be made to enable the State
to make creditable exhibit next winter at n: o.
Ii is quite unfortunate that the Legislature does not
in regular session until period too late to be
Of any service in aiding Florida to make her exhibit.
A., without some adequate provision oi nnahclai
character il Is futile to expect her to make such an
rXnibit Us will properly display to the world her ca
pacities and resources. Our experience in connec-
ton with the Louisville Exposition amply demon
strated that truth. But just how to meet the emer
gcncy is difficult problem to solve An extra SEES
sion of the legislature under call of the Governor
would be attended with avery heavy expense which
added to the appropriation were that made adequate
to the necessities Of the case, would probably rem
der our exhibit very costly luxury and engenser
opposition to the whole thing. To depend upon vol
untary contributions, either OF articles for ex
hibition. or of money for the purchase OF them
will result in gricvous disappointment, both az to
the quality and extent OF the exhibit; Will the
Plan of county appropriations, AS suggested, we
believe, by the Adpdnce Gdzette, would raise the
question Of authority the part of the Boaids to
make such use of the county funds and beget irreg
ularty, inequality and nsufciency of supply rs it
lnay s,fely be assumed that some of the counties
would refuse to appropriate. There is one way,
aud only, that occurs to US, by which the diff
Guilty may he met, and that is, for every member of
the Legislature to request the Governor to call an
extra session of that body for the purpose Of allow
ing them to make the necessary appropriation,
pledgfng himself not to demand nor accept, either
mileage or per diem for the service rendered. Were
this done the only expense. worth the mention, to
I which the State would be subjected would be the
amount of the appropriation, and TINT, we believe,
every citizen who has a particle of State pride Is
willing should be incurred. Though less able.
doubtless, than many other members, to devote the
time necessary to the execution OF this plan, we are
nevertheless willing do il and We suggest to the
Governor that be address circular letter 10 the
members of the Senate and Assembly, and 10 the
attaches of both bodies, asking their assent to the
plan suggested aud plcdgn@ themselves as above in
dictated The features of special merit attaching to
this plan arc, First the Gel ainty that Florida would
be enabled to do herself full justice in the grand RI
vilry at New Orleans next winter Secondly, that
il would cost the State nothing beyond the sum APP
rroIIiated. Thirdly that ii would be patriotic re-
turn for honOrs and liberal compensation hereto
fore received, and would arouse an enthusiasm for
Florida and her fair name, among her own citizens,
such would eventuatc in the grandest state eX-
hht the world ever saw. What says Governor
Rloxham to this plan What say the State press
and what say the members of the Legislature ?
Whatever is done should be done quickly
Our esteemed contemporary grapples
vigorously with the problem OF raising
means to secure a proper representation
of Florida at the great Exposition, the
Importance Of which we fully appreciate,
As our columns have testified. We con
slider that a small, though adequate, sum
Of the public money could be properly, a $
we'll as most protitably, appropriated to
the end, which is for the general advan-
tagc of the people of the State. If an
extra session is to he had to vote such APP
preparation perhaps the best way would
be for members of the Legislature, to "take
the initiative" and address the Governor,
requesting him to call them together, pledg
ing themselves to serve without pay or
mileage. We suppose that he would give
their request favorable consideration.
We believe that members would be at
small personal expense, for we presume
that railroads and steamer lines, which
are so much interested in the progress Of
the State, would pass them free on a mis-
mission calculated to foster that progress
1t would be a part of their contribution
to a cause which they sustained so liber
ally, when heretofore presented in the as
poets of the Atlanta and Louisville expo
litions, by free transportation of exhibits
and free travel to agents.