The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-03-20
KEY WEST BOOMING.
Her Trade Growing and Her Repub
can Politicians After the Offices.


KEY WEST, FLA, March 16-No one
would suppose by looking at the map of
Florida that the little Insignificant spot
located among the coral beds, designated as
Key West, is the metropolis Of the state,
and pays more revenue to the federal gov
eminent than all the rsst of the state, and
ranks as the third city in the south in Gus
toms receipts.
Strange to say there is not public build
ing on the island, and federal employees are
obliged to transact their business in Il di-
lapidated wooden building. unsuitable in
point Of loca ton, and not at all adapted to
meet the demands Of the public
Key West is peculiar in many respects.
Her interests are not identified with the
rest of the state. Having a population
composed of every nationality under the
sun, she pursues the even tenor of her
course, and were il not for the annual visits
Of the tax collector, | doubt if the average
citizen would ever think of Tallahassee-he
is perfectly oblivIous to the existence of q
state form of government. The appoint
ment of the state board of health, together
with the extreme non-intercourse senti-
ment that prevailed particularly in Jack
sonville, reused some excitement, and for
once the natives took decided stand; some
even went so far as to threaten secession.
In the event of a stringent quarantine
against Cuba. Key West will simply say
to the mainland 1--WE want none of yours
in our'n," but Cuba we must and shall have
With the ports of New York and New
Orleans open, no city can afford to be as
Independent, and she can defy the rest OF
the world, as far as quarantine measures
are concerned. Mr.. John j. Philbrick,
agent of the Morgan line of steamers, has
been indifatigable in his efforts and recently
received rates from all the principal north
western routes, with inducements to such
an extent that the cigar manufacturers are
beginning to realize the Importance of
making New Orleans the great entrepnt for
their western shipments. The steamship
Hutchinson carried as cargo last Thursday
morning, nearly 100000 cigars and over
1000 crates Of vegetables
BELOW THE FROST LINE.
The Plant Investment Company are i'm
proving their property-have rooted over
their large wharves and are making other
alterations so as to suit the convenience of
their patrons. Key West, as a winter re-
Sort has no rival. Situated on the edge of
the gulf, with the waters of the Atlantic
continually tapping its shores, below the
frost line, an average temperature of co. 4,
il is destined to become renowned south
ern sanitarium.
Bishop Weed, who has been in this city
for the past week, preached to large con-
gregation last Sunday morning, after which
he administered the holy rite Of confirma-
ton. The bishop is very popular, and his
stay has been pleasant.
The cigar industry is booming. Quite q
number of new factories have started, and
from present indications this year will be
the most prosperous ever known. One of
the leading manufacturers, recently from
the "Vuelta Abajon district, Cuba, told me
this week that the crop would not only be
the largest, buJ the best that has come into
the market for years. In consequence of
the heavy rains, the color of the leaf will
be bright, which, at present, is the popular
demand.
E. II. Cato returned from the north last
Thursday where be has been to purchase
| material for the construction of a mammoth
| factory, which, when erected, will oe the
largest in the United States. Mr.. Cato is
an example of what pluck ard perserver-
ance can accomplish, and deserves credit
for the success achieved in this line of bust
| ness.
The all absorbing and never ending
question IN political circles is who will be
| the next collec or of customsm
Quite number of aspirants have already
| developed and no one is able to say where
it will end. The average republican is as
hungry to-day as he was after the war
especially the colored brother. To the latter
| L
wear bright buttons and possess a little
brief authority seems to be the hight of his
ambition. The San Domingo rabble were
| never so tumultuous as the various colored
organizations of this city in their scramble
for office.
THE OFFICE SEEKERS.
Col r. n. Wicker of Lockport, n Y.
| seems TO be the most formiablo candidate
He has secured the Endorsement Of the
/
have the assurances of Blaine and Alger
that his efforts will be crowned with sue
cess. Wicker was collector OF the port for
twelve years. gave general satifactiol, and
is popular with the masses. No one doubts
his efficiency and outside of mis- politics III
is considered jolly. good fellow.
An expert wire puller is at present in
Washington pushing hls claims. Next To
| Wickers in importance is Capt Jno F.
Horn Of Ohio, a typical carpet Dagger and
not identified with the interests of the city
he is, however, prominent member of tue
| u. A. r. and it is said, that all his CORES
pondence since the election has been done
under the seal of this organization. Claim
| ing TO have good war record he expects that
Harrison's friendship for the veterans will
be the stepping stone to his ambition He
is the personal friend Of Gen. Arson Nc
Cook, and has local Endorsement equal in
quality, II not quantity, TO all other aspir-
ants. Ii appointed, he will no doubt make
a good collector, as he is thoroughly CON
versant with the routine OF the office. hav
ing been clerk under Arthur, and retained
under the present administration up to 8
few months ago. when the deficiency in the
appropriation necesatated bis removal
Next is Hon. G.. Browne Patterson, ma
tive Key Wester and a consistent republic
can. He il lawyer Il some repute whose
integrity has never been Impeqched. Mr..
Patterson is considered by those who pre-
tend 70 have the ear Of the administration
as the coming man. OF a reserved nature
he does not euthuse the boys, and il looked
upon in some quarters as a Goldfish aristo-
crat. As United Stltes district attorney
(which position he held for eight years. be
gave general satisfaction, and DOLLY resi- gnei
in order 20 make the way clear for his
brother-in-law. l.. W. Bethel
The above are the three most prominent
candida es, either one of whom if app inted
would be acceptable TO the democrats, who
| by the way, are enjoying the present trian.
gular fight. They realize that the places
that knew them once will soon know them
no more, but are in hopes that the intense
bitterness displayed in this factonal fight
! will compel the President TO bide his time
before making the appointment.
| Next 20 the dictatorship. the office Of
district attorney is the most important. IL
is now held by l.. w. Bethel, a democrat
Of prominence, who, in the late campaign
sulked in his tent, and did not lift his hand
for the success of the national ticket, and