The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-04-06
THE PHOSPHATE or THE STATE.

tsrle accompanying this report. were as fol
lows:
Hard rock. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. O20l9 tons
land pebble. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 1875 tons
River pebble. no LIZ tons
s1ft D osphate uIcluding home
consumptionl. ........-. 8S4l tons
grand total of .......... BIB 1877 tons
of this am punt 2l9,O69 tons went to foreign
MARKETS. and 105, % tons to domestic markets.
The total shipments OF south Carolina for
1902 v ere 50, 1886 tons, and the total shipments
of Florida for 1892 were 354327 tons, grand
Total of gO2 723 tons, as against total shipments
Of south Carolina for 1891 of 572, $40 tons, and
of Florida for 1891 of 1S1 316 tons, an increase in
shjpments of l4S, ass tons.
LUMBER AND FISHERIES
The lumber business Of the state is In pros
rerous condition. But a few DAYS since there
we're nearly one hundred vessels in the port
Of Pensacola, and the great majority OF
them were takir 6 in cargoes of lumber, and at
the same time there were number OF vessels
loading with lumber at Jacksonville. Fernan-
alma and other points The lumber shipped is
rrrc paly yellow pine, the demand for which
is largely on the increase. and is a source OF
much profit to our people.
The fish business is very profitable and
rapidly increasing. The taking of any of the
food fishes of the state for the fish roe by non
residents of the state is frequently complained
of and it is recommended that IL the Law is not
sufficient to prohibit this practice that more
stringent statute be enacted.
AGRICULTURAL CONDITION.
In this connection it is gratifying to note the
disastrous season of 1891 has been followed by
one of more than usual prosperity. While it is
seldom that an average crop can be had in all
parts OF the 81 ate every year. 1t IS TACT. per
haps not generally recognized, but nevsrtbe-
less true, that Florida enjoys such great di-
versity of climate, soil and production, that
total failure has never yet occurred, and in all
probability never will; to this extent we are
blessed beyond the people Of any other country
under the sun, for no other country has ply
steal conformation so peculiarly its own. of
such vast capabilities, of such great diversity
OF soil and product and the grandest climate
mankind has ever known.
The cotton crop Of last year was very much
below that of 1891, reduction which extended
throughout the entire cotton producing states
and which had the effect of increasing the price
of that staple about 90 per cent. over the
price obtained for it IN 1891 Following up this
principle further reduction would seem to he
desirable, if not necessary, to greater success
ant profit.
The tobacco raised in the counties of Gads-
den, Leon, jefferson and Holmes has been pro
nounCed by experts and manufacturers OF
handmade cigars, as being almost equal to the
best Cuba tobacco for cigar wrappers, which
class OF tobacco is worth more and is in greater
demand than any other, and owing TO this fact,
the growing of Cuba tobacco will, in short
time, be one OF the most valuable crops of the
state.
The condition of the fruit crops in all parts
VI LILO SttAl5 has bCCu kCutEdllN EOOus Having
had no cold weather to do material damage
while the increased yield has met with ready
sale at renumerative prices. The orange crop
has on the whole brought good returns; whi e
the pineapple crop has exceeded the most san
gulne expectations both as TO size OF crop and
favorable prices; the value of the crop two years
ago was only S141 900, and in on year increased
TO over S5O),C00. The orange crop exceeds in
value any other crop in the state. The planting
Of fruit orchards suitable TO the middle and
western parts of the state have progressed
rapidly, and many of them are yielding the
growers profitable returns on the invest nent
FINANCIAL CONDITION.
The outstanding Indebtedness of the state
theld by Individually is. as shown by the con-
trollers report:
Seven per cent. bonds Of 1871, due in
Six per cent bonds Of 1873 due in 1908 265, 100
Total..,.............. ................s 1857, zoo
due July 1895 ,,.......... =, wv. $50 900
Total indebtedness Of all classes in
hands OF individuals. .S507, 700
The report of the treasurer shows that the in
come OF the state. for state purposes proper,
iron AL sources, for the year ending Dec. 81,
le92 amOu ted TO 1892, 4G5 90 and the controller
IN MS report e-tlmateS the expenses OF the
state tor 1895 at S64l0J2 These estimates OF
course do not include the / mill school tax or
the one fourth mill quarantine tax. 1t will be
otCh AIOlu tLtSb llEuTGS, taxing Tue income Oh
the state for 1892 as indicat ing what the income
Tor 1893 will be- that he expenses of the current
year Will exceed the income by S5S,6l6 so. This
Is NOT healthy showing, still it Is correct, and
II Is due to the le yisature and to the people OF
the state that it be made, in order that tner
may be no excuse for failing to do what the con-
dltOR may demand
AND now the question is simply this: How is
MS condition OF the states finances to be RENE
dl-d: The state may borrow again; that, how
ever, VIII not supply permanent remedy. 1t
Wou'u postpone for the present other remedies
that must be adopted in the end The interest
upon the amount borrowed, including that on
he" loans, must be paid annually by taxing the
people and the principal must be met ulti-
IualeIy II tee same way. IL will not do for the
STATE 10 go Dick 10 the scrip practice OF oygone
Gays when her d.scredted paper flooded the
country. The depreciation of such paper in
creased the public expense as TO all
purchases which she has to make, AMI
II not arrested it seriously impairs aud
may nnaly ruin her credit. The rate OF tax
allon may be increased, but that is already
very nigh, and certainly no one desires to see it
Increased; or the contrary, every one acquainted
with the individual condition OF our people feels
tns necessity for a reduction. In view, then. of
dHtLese facts, what is to be done? In my ludg-
Heht there are remedies which will meet the
e8Sehcy, which are now to be recommended
toyou for your most serious and careful con
sideration. OF course there should be in every
uepartment OF the state government the strict
esI economy consistent with its efficient admin
lslI6I!on and to its securement pledge you an
earnest cooperation.
Inc constitutional requirement that 1.-THE
legislature shall provide for uniform and
equal rate Of taxation, and shall prescribe such
ieSuatlons as shall secure just valuation OF
E0perty, both personal and real is a very
uncut undertaking by any legislature.
Az present the taxation is not uniform in the
staye In one county wild lands are assessed
q - and i'll ad Joining county the same
SxxaTacter OF land is taxed at 81 per acre. One
VI these rates must be wrong, but the ques-
sloh rs, how is il to re remedi i? The rates are
L@eu by the officers OF each county, and as long
O. lhIs is the case taxation will not be uniform
HeCton 1, article NIL, OF the constitution pro-
Iu7S that oil forfeitures shall 90 TO the state
eeuool Iund, and section of the same article
i4oEIes that the net proceeds of all fines col
t,eV'ed Under the penal laws of the state within
te county" shall go to the county school
,unds, but can see no reason why this should
&c lue case ! think that all fines and for
lures growing out Of criminal prosecutions
Suou go to the payments of the expenses of
sutA prosecutions, aud IL is recommended that
spu Iocose an amendment to said article All.,
ayIoKatng so much OF said sections and as
Ielates 20 this subject. All insurance com
lanes doing business in the state should be
yyaAeu' In my judgment, at least
m cent upon their gross receipts; and
sIeepng cars should also be taxed.
QUARANTINE.
a. mere is a prevailing apprehension that
SS..ylera may become epidemic in the United
n ns during the present year, and we must
ao CIV kuard against the introduction of this dis
49, 49, as We have TO against yellow fever every
lar In my jud, ment, the federal quarantine
icy a rigil enforcement of state quarantine
."'l insure, vet owing to the extensive geacOagt