The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1891-06-13
QUIZ AGAo6f1URAI. r. coz1FeE.

The state of Florida, with the aid of
the Federal government, maintains an
agricultural college and an experimental
farm at Lake City, in Columbia county.
Its director is Rev. J. P. DePaSs. The
experimental farm was intended to aid
the tillers of the soil by introducing to
their notice new plants Or improved
methods of cultivation. 1t was hoped
that the ignorant might be taught by the
processes advised by the knowledge which
the public supposed had been placed at
the head of the business, and for which
it was taxed.
Before the last session closed, there were
grave suspicious that the Experimental
Farm was delusion and a snare. Why
should the state go to great expense TO
find out what everybody knew? Why
should bulletin be published to teach our
people what they could find in the cata-
lagues scattered freely through the state by
northern seedsmen? Why should expert
ments be tried in peach culture in Colum-
bia county save that DePass, nurseryman,
might unload his stock on DePass, direc-
tor of the State Experimental Station?
Why should experiments be made in the
raising of horses save that the Director
might have fine teams for his private use?
Why should the state buy fine cows save
that the director might enjoy rich cream?
These questions have been often re-
peated everywhere, but it seemed no
earthly power had authority in the
premises. So evidently thought the d.
rector-general for he told member of
the legislature ''that the committee had
no authority to examine into the affairs
of the station"
But the committee did make an exami-
nation which ''tends to show there exists
a great deal of rottenness around and
about these institutions" and this state
ment of one of the committee is enough
to uecessitate immediate action and the
prompt dismissal of this autocratic direc-
tor from the position he has held.
If Mr.. DePass has the manliness to ask
for an investigation he must have it, and
then the courts will decide whether be
shall "be exonerated or placed within
prison walls" The legislature may not be
able to finish the matter if not, the proper
authority must Immediately take it up in
justice to all parties concerned.
Meantime let full credit be accorded
Hr. Brown Of Columbia for his most
manly and honest speech. The honest
mans scorn of hypocrisy and meanness
speaks in every word of it, and our sur
prise at some of his statements is outdone
by our wonder at the facts implied Is it
possible that the citizens of Columbia
hesitate to utter in the hearing of the
committee matters that are repeated in
the daily gossip on the streets of Lake
City? Is it possible that the citizens of
Florida fear to speak their thoughts at
any earthly tribunal?
In every house, at every gathering, the
Damage OF the station has been criti
ci5ed for many months. Even those who
pro tied by The methods of doing business
which oil lined under this "director-gene-
eIsw urged that act alone as reason for
maintaining silens @. Is it possible that
any other reason exlss?
Meantime, we repeat. all honor to Mr..
Brown of Columbia for the course he has
iarsued. Publicity is the only safeguard
To honesty in republic. There are no
privileged classes in America, and no Off
ssf has the right to keep his official do
nlgS secret. Until more is known
the FLORIDTAN cannot understand why
the names of witnesses should be kept Sc
cret, but it will do it's utmost TO obtain
all the facts and lay them before its read
era. Meantime, it is the duty of the
committee, in justice to all parties, to
II axe the re ort of their doings as full as
p ssible, and publish them at the earliest
possible day.
RENO VAL OF THE CAPITAL.