Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-02-05
GOV. PERRY's CABINET.

A Brief Account of the Men Who are to
Assist FIorida's Governor to Guide
the Destinies of that State-State Sen
ators who Have Won Distinction.
TALLAHASSEE, Feb. 3.-FOr several
administrations one or more members
of the Cabinet have been taken from
the Senate. Gov. Drew appointed Sen
ator Gwynn Treasurer, Gov. Bloxham
made Senator Crawford Secretary OF State,
and Gov. Perry has made Senator Cooper
Attorney General. and Senator CrII
Treasurer. Senators Grill ana cooper
were both elected last November, and sat
together IN the Senate, and it is little re-
markable that the Governor should nave
selected two occupying seats together'
During three administrations, now, the
Secretary Of State has come from MldOle
Florida and the Treasurer from the East
West Florida has only one member IN the
Cabinet. but the Governor and the CnleI
Justice and the Chairman of the judi
ciary Committee. both OF the senate ana
House, are from the West.
PERSONNEL OF THE CABINET.
The Cabinet is made up as follows: w.
ID. Barnes, Comptroller; l.. ;. Crlll,
Treasurer: Jno. L. Crawford, Secretary
~ y
Schools: &. l.. Mitchell. Commissioner OF
Lands; c. Nj. Cooper, attorney General;
DAVID Land, Adjutant General. Ihose
last appointed are G. N. Cooper, OF st.
Augustine to he Attorney General.
Although only 30 years OF age, Mr..
Cooper has shown his ability and fitness
for that high trust. He is one Of the most
brilliant young men in the state
and his talents and capacity nave
been tested on several occasions.
DR.. .JnO. l.. Crawford is from Wakuila
county. He has served several terms in
the Legislature and was Secretary OF
State during Gov. BlOxham's term OF Of
fee. He has made careful and compe-
tent official and his disappointment IS
graceful recognition OF the faithful man.
ner in which he has served his State.
In the Cabinet there are three doctors
of medicine, Messrs. Grill, Crawford aud
Mitchell; two lawyers, Messrs. Barnes
and Cooper, and two civil engineers,
Messrs. Russell and Lang. The Governor,
Lieutenant Governor and Speaker OF the
House are all experienced attorneys.
MIR. Stripling's bill tor the appointment
Of a superintendent of the State cOnvicts
is an important measure, but 1t is not
likely to become a law this session.
A Joint committee has been appointed
to visit the Florida University, at ITALIA
hassee, and report as to the best mode of
relieving that institution of its present
embarrassment.
DIR. CRILL'S LIFE.
DR.. f. S. Grill, who has been appointed
to preside over the State finances. is pc
culidrly qualified for that responsible
place. He is native OF Central New
York, and graduated with distinction,
and received the degree Of NJ. ID. in Gin
Io Putnam
county. Fla. twelve years ago, and by
his ability and unfiinching integrity soon
built up large and lucrative practice.
He has always been Democrat, but be
has the confidence and esteem OF persons
of all political shades to a remarkable
extent In 1880 he was elected to the
State Senate from Putnam county, and
served his constituents so ably and faith
fully that he was reelected in 1884, al
though the Republicans carried the
county for Blaine, and in spite of the
fact that his opponent was the strongest
man in the Republican party being no
other than G. A. Cowgirl, who was so
largely instrumental in counting the
electoral vote of this State for Hayes in
1915. He was one of the strongest men
in the Senate and members of both parties
looked to him for advice when important
measures were at stake. He was Chair
man of the Committee on Finance, Taxa
ton and Education and was an lnt1uen-
tial member of several other committees.
He distinguished himself by close atten-
ton TO business. and has a thorough
knowledge of legislative work in all its
departments. He possesses superior ex-
ecutive ability, and the mathematical or
der with which he dispatches business
will make him invaluable in the State
Treasurer's office.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
A resolution has passed the House
asking the constitutional convention,
which is soon to meet, to so frame the law
relating to convicts as to authorize the
appointment of a superintendent to man
age the State prisoners and see that they
are properly cared for and not inhumanly
treated.
The Governor has signed the bill allow
ing husband and wife to testify in divorce
cases, also the bill confirming the organiza-
ton of the Jacksonville and Atlantic
Railroad Company.
The Cabinet appointments give gen.
eral satisfaction and the opinion
prevails that they will make an
efficient and faithful set of officers.
The weather is fair and bracing and many
visitors arrive daily, some of whom will
remain during the whole season.
A LEADING SENATOR.
Hon. S. R. Mallory, Senator from the
Pensacola district, is now the leading
man in the Senate. he is the son of 5. R.
Mallory. who was United states Senator
from Florida and Confederate Secretary
of the Navy. He was educated at GeOrge-
town College, Washington, ID. c., and mas
long been the leader of the young Democ-
racy. During the last few political cam
paigns he has taken an active part in the
canvass Of the State, and his able and el0-
auent arguments have contributed largely
to the success of the Democracy, AL
though his is Republican county he has
for the second time been elected to repre-
sent the people in the Senate. He is
Chairman of the Committees on Judiciary
and Commerce and Navigation, and he
dispatches business with marvellous eX-
actness and rapidity. The day Of his
promotion is not very Distant
SPEAKER DAVIS.
Capt. 2. W. Davis, Speaker of the Flor
ida House of Representatives, is native
of Lee, county, Ga. His father, Jesse NJ.
Davis, was distinguished Baptist min
lister. Capt. Davis is essentially a self
made man. His educational advantages
were quite limited, he having attended
only the country schools of his native
State. Before he attained his majority he
was admitted TO the par ana soon alJer-
wards married the daughter of DR.. Leon
idas B. Mercer, a distinguished physician
and scientist. In 1879 Capt. Davis re-
moved to Gainesville, Fla, but soon alter
wards settled in Green Cove Springs,
where he now resides. He has made
an enviable reputation as an
attorney and orator. He made an
eloquent speech at the Pensacola
convention in secondmg the nomination
of the present Governor. During the late
campaign he did noble work in the cause
of the people and was elected to the Leg
islature by an unprecedented majority.
Having received the caucus nomination
for Speaker he was overwhelmingly elect
ed, receiving many Republican votes. He
commands the confidence and esteem OF
all parties and is one of the most dignihed
and impartial speakers that ever graced
the position. He honors the chair once
occupied by Mcclellan, McWhorter and
Daugherty. The probabilities are that he
will be sent to the Constitutional conven-
ton, and no better officer than he could
be found to preside over the deliberations
of the august body.