The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-06-07
FLORIDA'S LEGISLATURE.
A REVIEW OF THE WORK DONE
DURING THE PAST SESSION.

Court Expenses to Be Largely De-
creased Under the New Jury Law
The State Counting on Handsome
Revenue From the Royalty on Phos-
phates-The Senatorial Middle.
TALLAHASSEE, FLA, June 6.-The legis-
lature of 1891 is numbered among the things
that were, and quiet prevails in the city.
There were more able men in this leglSla-
ture than in any legislature Of Florida since
the war. With this fact in view some think
thelegislature of 1891 remarkable for what
it did not do, and others considers 1t equally
remarkable for what it has done. No one
can deny that this body has enacted some
good laws The new jury law will largely
decrease court expenses; one of the heaviest
burdens imposed upon the people.
THE ROYALTY ON PHosPHATEs.
The phosphate act, providing for roy
atty on all phosphate mined from the beds
of the navigable waters Of Florida, will add
thousands of dollars to the states revenues.
Many deplore the abolishing of the rail-
road commission and the bureau of imml-
grafton, but they console themselves with
the belief that, If this action was mistake,
both will be re-established on O basis that
will be more acceptable and productive of
better results.
State Treasurer Pons is still very low.
Senator Call left this morning for Jack
sonville, where his friends will honor him
Nr4eA q banquet tonight Both sides OF the
senatorial fight have filed elaborate argu-
nents with the governor, and there the case
will rest until the governor has disposed OF
legislative matters demanding his attention
for the next ten days.
SOME OF THE BLISS RUSHED THROUGH
Among the bills passed by the Senate
Just prior to adjournment were the follow
ing:
Requiring railroads to fence their lines.
Reducing the number OF grand jurors to
twelve and making it competent for eight
to serve. This bill was introduced by MIR.
Turnbun of Leon, and, properly enforced,
will reduce public expenditures more than
any other law enacted at this session.
Regulating the sale of beef.
Just prior to adjournment of the legis-
lature Senators Borden, McKinne and John
son aud Representatives Shine, Carter and
Hicks we're appointed to confer with MISS
Nellie Beck and Mrs Bell, lady commits
sioners, with reference to an appropriation
for an exhibit at the worlds fair.
DIR. L. D. Blocker, president of the Leon
county board of health, has discovered In
the Tallahassee market butter made from
s'butter producer" He gives notice that
he will make examinations from time to
time, and if he continues to find spurious
butter offered for sale he will be compelled
to take such action as the law directs.
A PRESENT TO AN EDITOR.
From 8 to 10 o'clock tonight immense
bonfires burned in front of the Daily
-Flortdidn office, the band played, the
streets were full Of people. the Office was
deliberately decorated with flowers and
filed with ladies and gentlemen. The OBJ
ject of this demonstration was the pre-
sentation to Judge Harrison Of a hand
some gold watch charm, with a large soli-
taire diamond on one side and the following
inscription on the other: Benjamin Har-
rison, editor Daily Florididn, from citizens
of Tallahassee, Fla, 1891" The presenta-
ton speech was made by Senator Myers,
and Mai. Harrison responded. Both were
frequently and heartily applauded. The
present was given as a token Of the
appreciation of the FLortdidn's fearless
and faithful advocacy of the right bold de-
nunciation of the wrong and able defense Of
the people and Of undeflled democracy. As
the people surprised the Floridian Publish
ing Company they surprised the people with
an impromptu banquer. The occasion was
q success in every particular, and will be
long and pleasantly remembered by every
one present.