The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-04-07
HAVANA AND HER ISLAND
THE EDITORS EXCURSION TO THE
oUEFN OF THE ANTILLES.

Florida PonlnSulS-FOrL tampa and
its Palace Of a Modern Aladdin.
Visits to Points OF Interest in Cuba
Romances, REVOLUTIONS and Military
Features of the Island-Journalism
Under Difficulties at Havena-Cuba
Loves Uncle Sam, but She Won't
Join the Union, and to Get Her II
Would Take Fight With spain.
The time was when the landing of a half
hundred Americans on the Ever Faithful
Islen could not have been made under such
pleasant conditions as those which sur
rounded the debarkation OF the members of
the Georgia press excursion at Havana a
little more than week since. 1t has only
been within the past three years that trip
20 Cuba could be made without great deal
of preparation, to say nothing of the cost
of it. One had to go to New York or New
Orleans, and then there was a long voyage,
during which, if q storm was not encoun-
tered, it was an exception to the rule.
A CLOSE SURVEILLANCE.
There was a close inspection in those days
not only of ones baggage on arriving aud
atdeparture, and previous good personal
record as to ones opinion on Cuban affairs
II he were newspaper man, was necessary
to bis safety. The good influence of that
modern genie, steam, has brought about a
wonderful change. The building OF rail-
roads down the peninsula of Florida and
the establishment of a line of fast steamers
from PORT Tampa TO Havana, have solved
the difficulties that heretofore attended a
Toyage to Cuba.
EXPLORING OTHER LANDS.
IT was agreed by those to whom was in
trusted the arrangements for the annual
outing of the, newspaper men of Georgia
that this year the Georgia Press Association
should visit Havana. he association had
pretty we'll investigated the resources of
their own state and the United States, and
now sought other lands, not for conquest,
but in quest of Information. The Plant
system OF railroads and steamships made
this excursion to foreign shore not only
possible but most pleasant 1t is not neces-
sary to cay anything here about the kind
nesses of individuals, or the courtesies Of
corporations; they have already been Off
cially noticed by a special committee
appointed for that purpose by the Georgia
Press Association.
AT THE SUB-TROPICAL.
Waving all previous proceedings, this
chronicle will begin at Jacksonville, where
the association spent q part of Wednesday.
The feature of the day was visit to the
Sub-Tropical exposition. The association,
or rather that portion of it that was prompt
in arriving, was welcomed by President B.
Frank Dillon and Secretary Samuel A.
Adams, two gentlemen not unknown to
Savannahians. But few Of the visitors had
ever seen an exhibit of Florida's products,
and the tables loaded with tropical fruits
were revelation to them. Mr.. 0. P.
Havens, formerly Of Savannah, photo
grapbed the visitors, and 1t is not improb-
able that when copies of his work are re-
ceived in Georgia there will be more than
a mere artistic demand for them.
Jacksonville shows steady and healthy
growth. It's position as the metropolis Of
Florida is impregEable. It is not only a
seaport, but it is the natural distributing
point for a large area of country, which
must depend upon it for supplies. In addi-
ton to this it is a favorite winter resort,
and its numerous hotels have an immense
capacity for accommodating the travelling
public.
ON THE ST. JOHNS RIVER.
The weather was all that could be wished.
and it was just what one would desire for a
trip up the noble st. Johns. At 3 o'clock
the party which was booked for the trip
farther south was aboard the steamer H.
Itdub anu lOH6EQ OulIOTu.
The vessel has ample accommodations for
her usual complement of passengers, bat
few of whom took in the whole trip, but
they were not sufficient to give each mem
Der of the press association q stata-room.
The cabins were turned into dormitories,
and some of the tired editors slept on cots,
while others had a lower berth ION the
floor. The ladies were furnished state
rooms, and the several brides were, as it
were, ''ruthlessly torn away from their
best loves"
HONEYMOONING IN A NOVEL WAY.
Speaking of brides, one Of the ladies of
the party said she had good case for
damages against the MORNING NEWS for
stating that she is bride, when three years
had elapsed since she could be called SUCH
or course the newspaper reporter was not
to blame. Doubtless the lady's husband
gave the information, and she looked so
young and girlish that no one could guess
that she had left 2year-old boy at home
with his grandmother.
One of the bridegrooms had not even a
cot on which to lay his weary head. There
is suspicion that come of the practical
jokers, and there are several incorrigibles
in the association. arranged it SO the gem
tleman would have a wakeful night. The
CAPTAIN and the officers of the elegant boat
did everything to make the crowd comfort
able, and there was very little if any
grumbling.
RAPID DEVELOPMENT IN FLORIDA.
The trip up the st. Johns gives one an
idea of the rapid development of Florida.
Between Jacksonville and Sanford four
railroad bridges span the river. Fifteen
years ago the writer made trip from Sa-
vannah to Enterprise by steamer, which
was then the only route to get to
South Florida except via Live
Oak over a rather dilapidated railroad, and
thence by boat from Jacksonville. The
all steamer route was much the pleasantest.
Railroads in South Florida were scarcely
thought possible then; now railroad lines
traverse the peninsula in every direction.
STOP AT SANFORD.
We had time to drive over Sanford after
breakfast, while waiting for our special
train, with Dr. Harris, the mayor of the
city, who is brother of Mr.. w. NJ. Harris,
superintendent of the MORNING News
mailing department. Mr.. Cuthbsrt Barn
well, formerly of Savannah, is a prosperous
business man of Sanford.
Our train stopped at Winter Park
and Orlando, and at both places
the editors were warmly received.
At the latter a speech of wei
come was made in behalf of the
citizens which was responded to by
President Glessuer. Orlando is the metrop-
oils of the lake region of Florida, and no
better evidence of its prosperity is necessary
than the fact that the South Flor
ida railroad has just built q handsome brick