The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-08-23

Weller Policy, and must say that all that
relates to Gainesville and Florida is untrue
and false
The Tarpon Springs Truth on the subject
OF Gulf coast smuggling, says: 1t Is no
secret in this locality that a constant inter
course is kept up between tie Spanish
smacks that fish Just outside the keys and
the mainland. he principle article Of ex-
change is ''aguadiente' or Spanish rum.
The Key West sponge feet, which lies just
off the mouth of Anclote river, Is IN con
slant communication with the Spanish
smack men, and keep themselves supplied
with ''aguadienten from that source. The
Spauiards, in exchanging small quantities
do not take money in equivalent, but read
lily exchange their commodity for flour or
salt meat This, however, is in the way Of
Incidental accommodation. Many Of the
smacks make a business Of landing rum
upon the Florida coast. They take large
quantities consigned to parties in the Man
aztec river or elsewhere. Their method Of
effecting a laAding is simple and
comparatively sure. The rum in water
tight packages Is put overheard at some
designated point, the exact location denoted
by not too conspicuous buoy. Small boats
from shore visit these marine caches under
cover of night, and take away the delecta-
bic fluid. The coast has been SO thinly
populated that precautions were unneces-
sary, and people who live Immediately upon
the Gulf have never cherished any doubts
in regard to the mission of the little sail
boats chat leave the coast from above tine
mouth of the Anclote river and cruise out
toward the Spanish smacks Sometimes
the rum is buried upon the keys. Not long
ago picnic party unearthed two casks OF
'aguadiente" upon Hog Island. The Span
iards keep an eye peeled for the revenue
cutter. The condition Of affairs aboard
when the cutter heaves in sight is described
by those who have seen it as amusing in the
extreme. A deckload Of jugs dive precipi-
lately into the blue depths of the Gulf, to
be fished up perhaps when the danger is
past.
Railroad Commissioners E. j. Vann and
w. l.. Hines we're at Kissimmee Wednes-
day. The meeting was called at 10 o'clock
at the Tropical hotel. Several merchants
were present. The South Florida railroad
officials were invited to attend, but they
failed to appear J. NJ. Bryan, represent
ing the orange growers and truck farmers,
stated that unless freight rates were
lowered, truck farming would have TO be
abandoned, as 40 per cent. of the gross
receipts was paid on freight account.
The commissioners stated that the South
Florida railroad was asking for increased
freight rates on oranges and vegetables G..
A. Carson said that the freight rate on
Hour from New York was 80 cents per hun
dred, while on vegetables to New York 1t
was 65 cents. W. B. Mackinson wanted to
know if there was no redress for the orange
growers and truck farmers for the loss of
goods by the carlessness or neglect of trans
portation companies. They refused to ac-
cept shipments unless the freight was
guaranteed, but refused to pay for dam
ages. Commissioner Hines said that was
entirely outside Of their Jurisdiction and
matter for the courts. j. W Watson said
he was charged so cents freight on keg of
nails from Jacksonville, whereas the rate
was 81 cents. He had written the commits
sioners, but had received no salts
faction from them. Mr.. Hines
stated that each road was per-
mitted to charge 25 cents on a single pack
age. Mr.. Watson said freight rates from
Sanford here, forty miles, were over half
as much as from New York to Sanford,
which was not just. He had this morning
paid the tirsJ-class freight rate on goods
that were rated as third class. The COM
missiOners instructed all who had griev-
ances to make out their complaints in writ
ing, and said they would examine them
carefully. Messrs. Hughey, Miller, Mack
inson, Craig and Carson thought rates
should be reduced on outgoing and incom-
ing freIghts.