New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-07-14
THE PROGRESS Florida rs MIXING.
A TALK WITH THE GovEENOR--SEw SETTLERS
HEARTILY WELCOMED.

TALK WITH THE GOvEENoR-SEw SETTLERS
HEARTILY WELCOMED.
Governor E. A. Perry, Of Florida is q large
man, with a massive and well-shaped head, on which
there shock OF black hair and heavy black beard.
He was called Friday by the illness of his wife,
who has been visiting friends In New-York In con-
yersaton the Governor Is afabe and agreeable, aud
apparently desires TO give all the Information possible
about Florida whose prospects hc regards "a highly fat
tering Answering inquiries about politics. he said yes
to-day to a TRIBUNE reporter at tho NewYork Hotel:
"The Democrats Of Florida are well satisfied with the
Administration. Only few appointments have been
made IN State New Collectors at Key West, Cedar
Keys ANA Pensacola the principal ones There have
been very few removals but hear no complaint from
any quarter. The Democrats more closely united
than for long time. We had local division for some
time the calling Of tho Constitutional Convention
but 1t length called and is in session There
large majority OF the party In favor OF the conyen
ton and active mi Eority opposed"
"what IS the principal subject ongrOssng the atten-
ton Of the conventonr
"Ths principal purpose for which 1t was called was
tospbttute election Of officers by the people for APP
pointment By the Governor Under the present Const
tuition the Governor appoints everything but legislators
and consables-county c1eers judges justices, every
thing Florida is anomaly in this respect 1t 10 the
only State In the Union where such law prevails II
was made operative 1868 emanatng from Republi-
reconstruction convention was put In force TO
counteract somewhat the voting OF enranchsed freed
men. IL has served measnraby good purpose. II
was strange thing that in the reconstruction period
such restriction Of the power OF the people should
have been made fundamental In the law. The large
masses at that time In Florida were ignorant coored
people and there Is mstaking the purpose OF the
law Our leading people have como TO believe that they
pressing for tho al Of tho restriction"
SLOW about your Republican opponents T.
The Republican organization was much divided In
the last State campaign. For state ofhccrs
they ran Independent ticket, made
MP OF Republican and former Democrat Many
Republicans dissatisfied aud did not vote On the
National ticket they upited. don't hiHk the lines
between the parties distinct and we'll defined In
State elsewhere We have a great many Repub-
We a large emigration from the North, but 1t Is
counterbalanced by tho from the SOUTH and
both Democrats and Republicans In tho state are gen
orally liberal and conservative. There are exceptions.
but the general disposition is to avoid radical
1sm in direction Ii IL the aim OF the bcst people IN
She state TO got Democrats and Republicans to work
together In the development Of tho State and the promo
when he among us. or where he was born This
brings about gratifying absence OF political bitterness
end whatever may havo existed In the past has sub
aided"
"what is the business prospect in Florida 2"
1.-THE State Is growing In prosperity moro than any
other In the Union, not excepting Texas We
got class of people than for comers
Inc be class OF citizens North and south
e. us. We getting good class from England, who
make good citizens. Our debt is small and taxes
low The debt has been reduced from 81 300,
600 to 81 100000. Our bonds are now worth 100. and
would DO taken up gradually II We could get hold Of
them anything Ike fair price. The debt gives US no
trouble The part of IL Is held hy the state Educa
tonal Fund trustees for whom the bonds are good in