The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1891-05-13
LESSONS OF THE CONTEST.

INNS and the DOCK may De laid down.
1t has been thoroughly considered and dis
cussed, and now we may gather up for fut-
ure purposes the lessons we have learned
from the perusal of its pages and the study
of its characters
The testimony was voluminous and the
points of law were many. On both there
was ample room for honest difference of
opinion. To many there was little leisure
for the careful consideration which the
paramount importance OF the case and the
nature of the testimony as we'll as its VOL
ume demanded.
In all its bearings the case has been
viewed in its every aspect and the FLoR1D
Ian mas made careful digest of each
days proceedings and the arguments pro
and con, so that each man would have the
right to correct any mistake or misstate-
ment made. And the gentlemen on both
sides of this veXed question have been most
kind in noticing what unavoidable errors
might creep in and the FLoRIDIAN has
invariably held itself ready to make the
correction when 81 asked. The impor-
taace of the position and its bearing on
the future has been fully appreciated, as
we'll as the obligation resting upon US to
be perfectly fair and exactly faithful in the
only full report accessible to the public
And now that the record is made up, the
FLoRIDIAN will still gladly make correc-
tons of any error outside the record and
the facts it may have inadvertently made.
What may we learn by study of the
record in this case and the characters
which have appeared upon the stage?
Dull is he who fails to appreciate the true
value which often lies beyond and behind
the shouts or the groans on the field OF
battle.
The committee on privileges and cleo
tons was originally composed of Messrs.
Stapler of Hamilton, Wilson of Lake,
Hutchinson of Putnam, Pittman of Holmes,
and Vann of Madison. AS soon as the Ma.
ture and importance of the work to be
done was manifested, Mr.. Vann of Madison
asked to be excused and Mr.. Carleton OF
Nassau was substituted. All these gentle
men are consistent and solid Call men,
have never voted against him and all
signed them ejori'y report.
AS events ripened there was feeling
among the opponents OF Mr.. Call which
could not be gainsaid, and the speaker O.
the house added to the committee the
names of Messrs. Mann of fernando, Shine
of Orange and Hollinger of Leon; all
anti-Call men and all consistent and earn
nest in their opposition. 1t unfortunately
happened that Mr.. Hollinger of Leon was
seriously sick during most of the time Gov
cred by the work of the committee, but be
Was heartily and entirely in accord with
the minority and ably sustained their rec
concentration on the floor of the house.
Therefore il is not due to lack of ability nor
absence of good will that Mr.. HoIlinger OF
Leon has no immediate share in the Clio
rious work OF that irresistible and indomi.
table minority, Mann of fernando and
Shine OF Orange.
The fighting qualities of Mann and Shine
in the committee, and of Dot gher,y OF
Volusia, Bulford of Marion, Hooker of
Lake, and others in the house, aroused
that sense Of justice which reigns in the
breasts Of rue democrats everywhere, AMI
fui! investigation was ordered. Alt.r-
wards all the testimony and exhibits Were
ordered printed. All every point the lead
ers Of the Call forces disputed every s,ep
but in their ranks were men whose ideas
OF justice rose above partisan loyalty It.
| one man, and though Mr.. Calls vote IT.
joint session then stood steadily at abou
60, his lieutenants could no,
| rush good democrats into vote To I'm
seat two democl as ill they had seen tn,
evidence. They stood finn, though heay,
pre- s5rle from the outside was brought J. .
bear as shown in the Eistor cal offer ct NJ. .
John n. Z. Stockton OF Jacksonville TO Mr.
Bitch Of Marion.
H>A NV SCCuICu tuC reception
OF their recommendation by the house a,
part OF the report. This was the fist VIC
tory in tie house Oh the contested case.
On the appointed day the state printers
(the Times Uniof) presented only u par
tial report of 1875 pages, and on this par
tial showing. Mr.. Clark of Polk, urged tina
a trial be taken. But again the opposition
awakened the split of fairness among the
Call men, and Mr.. Clark failed to take his
following with him. He fought hard and
declared he had been informed there was
not type enough in Tallahassee to prin'
the evidence, but he had struck Mann OF
fernando and had to 90 down. This was
Tho worst defeat the young Napoleon"
had received up to than time, and it Cut
him deeply. So the report was recon-.
mitted by heavy majority.