The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1888-10-09
REPUBLICAN CHEEK.


sr The platform put forth by the Republican
State Convention at Ocala is remarkable in many
respects but particularly so for the check it dis
plays. II we except the first clause Of that won
dertul document which speaks ot the pride"
they take in their record, the ninth one, in rela-
ton To immigration, eXcels anything for bare
faced assurance that we have ever seen in politi-
cal literature They charge the Democrats with
rerOgression in retarding immigration, and eX-
ult over " the tide Of population that flowed in
to the State, bringing millions of wealth within
our borders under Republican Administration"
1t is possible that some good people, not familiar
with the past twenty years of our history, will
believe this ridiculous nonsense but in the light
OF the real facts, this vain boast will vanish like
the morning mist before the rays Of the rising
SUM-
In 1869 the Republicans started out with beau
titu promises of what they proposed to do to
promote immigration, and passed an act creating
bureau for that purpose They held out TO the
world that they were the special champions of
progress, and intended to people the State with
millions of thrifty settlers and make it team
with wealth. For eight years they had control
of the State Government, and directed the ex-
penditures; and though they were squander-
ing during that time $550,000 annually Of the
peoples money for various purposes, they could
spare only 81 ,45l "a a year to aid the cause of
immigration. In other words during those
eight years they expended the enormous sum of
$4402 69i, and of this applied The pitilul sum of
$l9610 to their pet scheme y OF immigration and
now, when they think the people have forgotten
the history OF their deeds, come forward with
a loud boast Of how much more they did for
developing the State than the Democrats have
done.
Against this find that The Democratic adj
minisralions, in The same length of time, paid
for the cause of immigration $4,000 out of
total expenditure of $2,40G,GG4. This shows
which party extended The most fostering hand to
the increase of population and wealth of the
State :" tar mate nal assistance could affect
it.
The fact is, though The Republicans made
such a pletence OF zeal for the cause Of mmi-
grafton, their heart was not in il. When they
discovered what effect it would have upon their
political prospects, they did not want it. Their
ardor for the increase OF white citizenship cooled
rapidly when they found that the intelligent i'm
migrant come from whence he may would de-
spise he government they were giving us, and
would Join hands Wilh The best people of the
State to overthrow it.
McLn, their Secretary OF Stale under Searns,
and one OF the ablcst OF their party, said, in
of his public uttelaGces, "it is un1tpuW{can to
desire that Middle Florida should be settled By
Il majory of Northern Whites" They were
afraid TO submit the question of their retention
Of power to the intelligent settlers from any
quarter.
But results are the only true tests Of what
accomplished %tor the State in adding to its pop
ulation and wealth. From the census of 1870 to
The census Of 1875, beginning after The Republi-
cans mad been in office for two years, and con-
tnuing through five years OF unbroken lease OF
power, The increase in population was from
1877, ,14S in 1870, TO 228 620 in 1S75-making a
gain o: 40S72 The next scmi-decadc, from 1875
to 1880, began with the Republican and ended
with the Democratic government. This showed
an increase OF 40S5O, about the same as before.
But the next sem-dccade, rom 1880 to 1885,
when he Democrats had the same opportunity
for putting in their work which the Republicans
had from 1870 TO 1875, we find that the increase
in population was 73,078. Does this show the
re,rogresson" the Ocaa Convention charges?
Yet This does not prove half. How about the
millions OF wealth that was brought within our
borders under Republican Administration OF
which they boast Was it shown in the in
crease of The taxable property? From 1870 to
1876, the period which affords the fairest trial
OF the working of their government, the record
shows that in 1870 the value of the property as
sessed twas $29,7OO022 In 1876it was $29 $685.
337. This was the last yesr of " Republican
administration" and we fail to find =" the millions
of. wealth that was brought within our borders
during that period of their undsturbed power.
Every one acquainted with the history of Re-
publican rule in Florida knows that it was an
era offgeneral prosration in every class OF busi-
ness-that Tor the want of confidence in the fu-
ture of the State, growing out of their iniQui-
tous misrule our lands declined in value, and