The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1891-08-22
TMB sRNATORsHIP.
Current Comment upon Governor
Flemfngss opinion.

Flemingss opinion.
Governor Fleming's opinion is
upheld by the ablest lawyers and the
ablest statesmen of the country,
and there seems now but little doubt
that his opinion will be accepted by
the senate as conclusive, and Mr..
Calls so-called election, not being
as prescribed by the constitution,
the next question to be settled is,
who will Governor Fleming appoint
to supply the vacancy caused by the
constitutional failure Of the legisla.
ture to elect his successorp
1t occurs to us that Gov. Fleming
not only owes a duty to himself by
maintaining and unfolding the
credit of his administration, which
up to the present time has been 80
non-partisan and able, but in the
selection of proper person for this
office he owes special duty to the
democratic party. His selection
should be one, other things being
equal, against whom there should be
the least feeling.
1t is a patent fact that the demo-
cratic party is now torn by dissen.
sions and factions, and is further dis
turbed by the occasional mumblings
of the organization of third party,
so the governors appointment should
be man who, more than all others,
could bring all discordants factions
together and present as solid front
in the next campaign as the exigency
of things will admit of.
We believe that Mr.. VIM. d.
Bloxham would, more than any other
man, do this. We were not the best
pleased in the world with the man.
ner of his withdrawal from the sem
atorial race, but his very attitude in
that race makes him the man who
| would be the best pleasing, or at any
rate, the least displeasing, to either
faction. There is no Disgusting the
fact that he is still the popular idol
of the democratic party and that his
popularity is not confined to the
boundary line of either faction, and
he, more than any other man, will
bring these factions more closely to-
gether.-Ocala Banner.
In examining this question Gov.
Fleming has proceeded as a sound
lawyer, by the ordinary rule of con-
struction applicable alike to every
statute, by expandingit by the usual
acceptation and natural context of
the words in which it is convinced
and making it conform to the consti-
tution-all requirement, which it
seeks to enforce. Therefore whom
soever Gov. Fleming may appoint
will surely enter the senate chamber
with a prima facie title to the seat,
while this title may possibly found
to be not good upon further examin-
alton, nevertheless it is good and
valid and must prevail unless it be
opposed and defeated by some other.
Therefore if Mr.. Call contests the
seat he must make out a clear, valid
and sufficient title or be nonsuited
and as the question turns upon the
construction of the act of congress,
which is vague and uncertain, Gov
Fleming has probable acted best for
the interest Of all concerned.-Dade
City Democrat.
The struggle is over 80 far as the
people of Florida are concerned and
all wire-pulling and chances have
passed by. Now, if the Governors
appointee is seated the supporters OF
Mr.. Call must not make any threats
or attempts on the democratic party,
neither do we believe they will. On
the other hand, if Mr.. Call is seated,
the other side must quietly submit to
their defeat and work harmoniously
for the good Of the party in the fu'
ture.-Titusville Star.
"Did the Florida legislature elect
a senator ?" Is the title of a pam.
phlet containing the opinion of Gov
ernor Fleming. The governors
views are courteously expressed, and
he perhaps advances as able an ar.
gument in support of his belief as
the facts in the case will justify.
Notwithstanding the opinion of Gov
ernor Fleming we are still inclined
to think that the election of Mr.. Call
will be confirmed by the senate and
that he will be seated without much
of a contest.-Gainesville Sun.
The lawyers of Florida who are
now airing themselves with opinions
on the senatorial question in the
public press are in bad taste.
Governor Fleming has decided on
his course. Whether he is right or
wrong the United States senate will
decide at the proper time. 1t does
M 1.nn1 m Lonv, tho uuocfinn or;%o