The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1885-06-11
Savannah News, June 5th1
Elorlda's Coasaisasioaol Convea-

=. slOn.
The convention called 10 frame q new consti
tuition for Florida will meet tomorrow. II IS
expected that Il will complete its work in about
six weeks II is hardly probable that IL will
get along 50 rapidly with Its work as II would II
il met at q season when cooler weather pre-
vailed.
There is no reason to think that the great
majority of those who have been chosen dele
gates have not a very clear appreciation OF the
great responsibility resting upon them 1t IS
probable of course, that there are a few who
will not permit their duties TO interfere to any
great extent with their pleasures, and there are
some doubtless. who haven't the capacity to
render any valuable assistance. There are
plenty Of members, however. who are able and
willing to do the work which the convention
has been chosen to do. and the people OF
Florida believe that they will do II salstac-
torily.
The condition of affairs in Florida is different
from that of every other Southern State he
sentiment that makes itself felt in the direction
of State, county and municipal affairs is not
wholly Southern. For years there has been a
steady increase in the number of new settlers in
the State from the North. II is not only posi-
ble but il is extremely probable, that the
number OF Northern Immigrants TO Florlda
next year will be greater than II was last year,
and that before many years there will be entire
communities in different parts of the State
Ii is important, therefore, that the new consti-
tuition shall be SO liberal In its provisions that it
will invite immigration. Florida has no occa-
sion 10 fear that the negro will ever secure
control OF affairs in that State The white
immigration is so great, and will continue TO be
so great, that there is no probability that the
negroes will ever outnumber the whites, even II
il is admitted that they increase faster than the
whites.
OF course thrse who directing the desti-
MES of Florida realize the importance OF putting
nothing in the constitution that will check the
flow Of capital and immigration into the State.
On these two things the growth and prosperity
of Florida to a certain extent depend
The proceedings of the convention will be
watched closely not only by those who live in
the State but by those in all parts OF the coun-
try who have interests there, or who are
thinking about making their homes there. 1t is
to be hoped that the new constitution, when
framed, will not prove to be a disappointment
The comments of outsiders upon our
actions or affairs are always of interest,
and those of so able and influential a
paper as the Savannah News are espe-
cially noteworthy, inasmuch as it has
always given much kindly attention to
Florida and what concerns her welfare
and progress. The article we have
quoted is in the main very sensible, but
we may remark that We're our eminent
contemporary inside the State and there
fore quite en- rapport with the spirit II
which this Convention was called-if il
! had been of us to feel as we have felt the
momentous nature Of the undertaking To
make new organic law at this time-tht
idea would never have suggested itsel
that any members of the Convention
could think SO lightly of their response
bility to the people as "not to PERM
their duties to interfere to any grea
extent with their pleasures" 1t is unde
niable, however, that this arduous tou
Of midsummer duty will give the mem
bers fine appetite for the pleasure o
rest after their labors are concluded.
Our contemporary need not apprehen'
that the new constitution will not be {" 81
liberal in It's provisions that it will invit
immigration" The delegates assemble
are not the men to form, nor are tn
majority of our voters the men to ratify
constitution that would make tn
boundaries of Florida a Chinese wal
This is the era Of progress and develop
mcnt, and the dominant feeIlng OF til
Convention is in accord with the spirit @
| the times