Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-02-09
FLORIDA ON THE WIRE.
Newsings in Legislative Niches-Shoot
ing of a Negro at Madison.

ing OF Negro at Madison.
TALLAHASSEE, FLA, Feb. S.-Last
night the Assembly passed the Senate
bill authorizing railroads to condemn
lands for their own use. 1t is not proba
bic that the convention and appropria
tiOn bills will be passed by Thursday. SC
an extension of few days is likely to be
had. The committee to examine into the
States contracts with the Okeechobee
Drainage Company will probably be au.
thorlZed TO continue their labOrs during
the vacation.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
The bill calling a constitutional con.
vention provides for a new registration
OF voters as though a general State cleo
tiOn was to be held. The delegates are
to be equal in number to, and propor-
toned the same as, members of the I.egis-
lature. The election is to be held on the
first Tuesday in May and the conven.
ton is TO assemble in Tallahassee on the
second Tuesday in June. 1t is probable
that some of the above mentioned pro-
visions will be altered to some extent.
There will be over 200 bills not acted on
when the Legislature adjourns Feb. -.
and many OF them are very important
measures.
THE CONVICT CAMP.
The Senate Committee appointed TO
visit the State convict camp reported that
they find 112 men and 3 women at the two
camps; that they are all in excellent
health, except five or siX.Who are suffer-
ing with chills and fever: that the present
contractor, G. h. Dutton, has complied
with the contract in furnishing abundant
food and clothing for the cOuVicts: that
each convict is furnished with
two blankets and two suits
Of clothes; that proper medical
treatment and medicine are provided. and
that minister breaches to them twice a
month as required by law. That they are
in good spirits, not Overworked nor i'm
properly treated; and recommended that
the cOnvicts be again leased to the pres
ent contractor, as they are now an eX-
pense to the State, the original lease hay-
ing expired. The committee also recon-
mended that the Board of Public Institu-
tiOns advertise tor the lease of cOnVicts in
October instead of December, so the con-
tractor can have more time to prepare
for them.
TALLAHASSEE'S S HOTELS.
The hotels in this city are elegantly
furnished, and the accommodations and
bills of fare are second to none others in
the South. The weather is perfectly
daily and are delighted with the superior
attractions Of this beautiful city on the
hills. The different hotels are literally
patrOnized, and more persons have de
termined to spend the winter here than
ever before.
The agricultural interests are looking
up, and many of our more progressive
farmers are engaged in raising improved
stock. The Middle Florida jersey cattle
ON hn hTrff ffr,. Il IL
steady demand in all sections of the State
Nearly every week excellent milch COWS
raised in this county are shipped to East
and South Florida, and the farmers find
ready sale and remuneratiVe prices for all
they can raise.
SOMETHING ABOUT SENATOR'S.
Hon. Charles DelanO, Senator from Vo-
lusia county, is native of Illinois. He
is an excellent civil engineer and was
Mayor of his native town. Removing to
this State about two years ago he at once
became prominent railroad man. EV-
erythIng tending to the development of
the great resources of South Florida has
received his hearty support.
Senator e. B. PendletOn represents the
Key West District. He has been promi-
nent before the public as the contestant
for the seat occupied by Mr.. Allen. Some
time since Mr.. Allen resigned, and after
fulI consideration the Senate decided that
Mr.. PendletOn was duly elected.
Senator JOhN w. Whidden was born in
Thomas county, Ga, and came to Florida
when quite young man, living first in
HillsbOrOugh county, but afterwards
removed to Manatee county, where he
has since resided. He has held many
offices of trust in his county. After serv-
ing several terms in the Lower House he
was elected to the Senate, where he takes
high stand. He is Chairman of the Com
mittee on State Affairs and is a safe law
maker.
SHOOTING OF NEGRO.
MADISON, FLA, Feb. S.-Last night
about 10 O'Clock negro boy named Sam
uel Johnson, while coming with his father
from town to the railroad depot, was shot
through the body by an unknown person
and died in about an hour. Four colored
boys have been arrested and jailed on
suspicion. No verdict has yet been rem
dered by the Coroner. The supposition
is that the killing was accidental, ,and will
serve as a warning to the thoughIless and
reckless class who are in the habit of
firing off pistols nearly every night, thus
endangering the lives of persons out after
dark. The town is making vigorous ef-
forts to find out the party doing the shoot