The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1885-01-20

There is a pressure Of Legislative

T1llAha10oe, Fla, Ian. -, l0S6.
There is a pressure Of Legislative
printing, and some Of the printers are
sick, and ell are overworked sothat we are
prevented from publishing various articles
prepared for this issue of the FLoRIDIAN.
Why it is we don't know, but it
seems the proper thing for the average
editor to be gin to "sass the Legislature
as soon as it assembles-to say it does
nothing, or abuse it for what it does-to
make it the target for bald old jokes. 1t
is very obvious that these gentlemen of
the scribbling fraternity should have
been sent to the Legislature themselves,
but unfortunately the people did not
recognize their superior fitness and per-
mitted them to stay at home.
Judge McWhorter has a mind pre-
eminently judicial. Probably there is
not a more profound thinker in the State,
and he is distinguished for the lucid
clear-cut ideas which he entertains on all
important subjects. He remembers every
thing he reads; he never forgets anything,
not even joke, and he is hard to beat
telling one. He is giant physically and
Intellectually, and Florida is honored in
having him to preside over her highest
tribunal. -JacksonviNe Tines Union.
-Onthe 18th Hon. j. H. McKinne in.
troduced Senate Bill No. 81, entitled an
act in relation to railroads in this State
and to provide remedy for railroads
which have been deteriorated, and to ap-
point a receiver" This bill was sug-
gested by the dangerous condition Of
railroad track in some sections, and il
was framed with view to the protection
OF the lives and property Of citizens, and
to further their interests by securing safe
and regular transportation of passengers
freight and. mails oyer public thorough
fares. 1t provides that when any rail.
road becomes out of repair 80 that it b.
dangerous, the State Engineer shall in
spect and report the defects to the Judg,
of the Circuit within which the defectiv,
track is located, and if with in thirt
days the defects are not repaired the
Judge shall appoint Receiver, who shall
take possession and expend the net earn
ings of the road for the improvement o
its condition; and when placed in goot
repair it shall be, restored to the contro
of its owners. This is sharp remed,
for great abuse, and is fully justified
when no other may avail for pro
lection of the public. Railroad manager,
may be men of the best capacity ant
may use their best efforts to operat,
roads safely and regularly, but they will
be quite unable to do so if owners will
not allow them to use sufficient money 10
keep up the roads. The bill contemplates
passing by managers and reaching own.
ers who abuse those franchises under
which railroad property was created for
the benefit Of the public at large, as vel
as the owners. The provisions of the
bill are shrewdly devised to bring rail
road owners to realizing sense of thell
responsibility to the people, and we pre-
sumo that they would take all necessary
precaution to keep their property out Of
the hands of receivers by maintaining it
in proper cond it:on. as the people demand
they shall.
Hon. William McWilliams, of Mas
sau county, who is Secretary of the State
Senate. is one of the most popular men
in this section of the State. At the Pa
latka Convention he was chosen Presi.
dental Elector on the Cleveland ticket.
and made stirring campaign, speaking
at all the prominent points in his district,
and by his original, amusing and persua-
sive arguments won many votes for the
whole ticket. Although his is republi.
can county, be greatly reduced the major
ity in the last election, and will doubtless
represent his county in the Constitutional
Convention, soon to be beld.- TdUahds.
see Correspondent Savannah Neacs.