The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1892-02-20
upon calling the convention together was
timely and to the point.

uP~~ SesAAAS Vu0 COuN0uGtOA COS0tAOA was
timely and to the point.
The committee on permanent organiza-
tion reported the following as their choice
for officers President, w. D. Bloxham
secretary, Geo. W. Wilson, and the fol-
lowing vice-presidents Geo. E. Lowell
of Sumter, D. G. Campbell of Pasco, A.
G. Martin of Orange, E. A. Todd Of
Bradford, P. Kelley of Nassau, B. r.
Powell of Duval, J. A. Anders of Leon,
T. F. Swearingen of Wakulla, J. P. Rob.
erts of Leon, E. b. Williams of Escam.
bia, W. j. Mcmillan of Washington, F.
s. Gamer of Walton.
Messrs. Rose, Bryan and Baer, as a
committee, escorted President Bloxham
to the chair, and amid great applause he
made an eloquent address, in which he
stated that this was the first time in his
life that he had ever presided over a
meeting.
Gov. Fleming then addressed the con-
vention and spoke forcibly upon the i'm
portance of Florida having an exhibit at
Chicago. He said that every dollar
worth of property in the State, whether
owned by resident or nonresident, would
be benefited by this exhibit. and he
thought the most equitable, fairest and
best way to pay for this exhibit was by
assessing tax, provided it was not against
the law that this was serious question,
but the constitution provides that the
commissioners may assess tax for coun-
ty purposes not to exceed five mills, and
in bic opinion the term county purposes
WAS very comprehensive, meaning any,
thing that will benefit the county.
Attorney General Lamar then spoke
uron the legal status of the question.
He was of opinion that the commission.
ers have no right to levya specific tax for
this specific purpose, but he thought if
they appropriated money out of their
general funds for making an exhibit at
the Columbian Exposition--not in ''hotch-
potch, "ssbut as county exhibit, separate
and apart from a general State exhibit
they would be sustained He only gave
this opinion as lawyer, and thought the
best thing to do was to have a case made
from some county and brought to the su-
preme court at as early day as possible
Cor decision.
1t was then decided that the commits
sioners should meet at o'clock that
| night to discuss the question, and the
regular convention adjourned until 9:3O
Thursday morning
The commissioners conference met at
8 o'clock Wednesday night and organized
by choosing II. W. Long as chairman and
Geo. W. Wilson secretary.
The roll of counties was called and the
commissioners expressed themselves upon
the question of taxing their people in
three-minute talks, with the following
result
Bradford-Would leave to people.
DeSoto-Opposed.
Eranklin-Opposed until assured oj
legality.
Baker-Opposed.
Brevard-Will submit to people.
Clay-Will submit to people.
Columbia-Undecided
Duval-Yes heartily in favor if legal
obstructions are removed.
Escambia-Opposed to tax will raise
her proportion by voluntary contribu-
tions.
Herr ando-Opposed.
Hillsborough-Ready and willing to
draw warrant.
Jackson-Opposed.
Lafayette-Opposed.
Marion-Opposed.
Nassau-Progressive county and anx-
ious to appropriate if legal
Holmes-Opposed unless legal obstruc-
tions are removed.
| Leon-Opposed until assured of legal
ity.
Manatee-With majority.
Orange-Yes.
Osceola-Has her money ready.
Polk-Yes, if others come in.
Sumter-Opposed.
Pasco-Opposed.
Putnam-Three in favor, two opposed.
Santa Rosa-Lelt open.
Suwanee-Opposed.
Volusia-Left to people.
Walton-Two in favor, if legal; one
opposed.
Washington-Not authorized.
The result sums up as follows OPP
posed, 10; in favor, 2; if legal, s; left to
people, 4; voluntary contributions, / !;
if others agree, 2; expression withheld,
8; divided, 2.
8. A. Jones of Tampa made strong
appeal for the tax.
As there was to be reception at the
Leon at 0:80, the commissioners then ad-
journed. to meet again a. 8 O'Clock Thurs
day morning, one hour earlier than the
regular convention.
Upon the assembling Of the commits
siOnerS Thursday morning II WAS fOund