The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-05-05
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Not Much Worry There About a Dull
Summer.

| Speculation as to the Effect Of the
Indictment of Bank ohcials-some
| Remarks About the j., T. and K. w.
Railroad.
Jacksonville, Fla, May $50 far as
this city is concerned there is no great
cause to worry about a duh summer
ahead. Our hotels are still doing a good
business. the New Duval, the Placide,
and the St. Johns house being open for
the season, and the Carlton undergoing
extensive improvements under new own
ership. The United States court is in
full operation, and that calls large
number of people here for a week or two
at time, and makes our streets livelier.
There is one summer feature in Jackson
vile that is worthy of more than pass
ing notice. The large colored population
is quite industrious and money-making
during the winter, but in the summer the
home jewellers indulge in a constant series
of social pleasures, mostly by steamboat
or railroad excursions TO shady picnic
grounds or desirable seaside retreats.
This keeps a good deal of loose change in
circulation and helps the retail trade
wonderfully. 1t is customary for one or
two bands to parade the streets daily,
and hundreds of neatly dressed colOred
people can be seen vending their way
with well-filled baskets to the wharves
of rival steamboats, or the depots of
rival railroads for a day of social
pleasure in the woods or at the seashore
This is much better for our merchants
than to see whole families pack up and
go off for the summer to spend their
money with strangers.
Jacksonville has in sight many i'm
provements that will give steady employ
ment through the usually dull season to
her mechanics and laboring men. Street
paving is still going on, the elegant new
government building is to be entirely
fitted up inside, the big union passenger
depot is already started, and possibly two
large hotels may grow out of its
establishment. The street railway
lines are 20 be extended and
improved into electric lines,
which will be a great improvement over
the present uncertain and disiointed
hay burner" system. Another enter
prise, a part of the million dollar bond
issue, is the proposed erection of a
splendid city market OF the Gen. Bur
bridge lot just beyond the Metropolis
Office. The building of the Bay street
front, and the other railway and steam
ship Improvements, will help to swell the
demand for every kind of labor All in
all, therefore, Jacksonville views the open
ing of the hot season without much fear
that the dreadful cry of hard times
will be heard here.
The action of the grand Jury of the
United States court in finding indict-
ments against the officers of the First
National Bank at Orlando, Just at this
time, will no doubt prove a serious set
back to many business interests up in
Orcnge county. After months of hard
work the friends of the bank had about
secured the resumption of the same, and
depositors were hopeful of its future.
The prosecution of the old officers may
result in disconcerting the plans already
perfected and keep the affairs of the I'M
fortunate bank in the hands of the re-
ceiver for an indefinite period. To many
persons the finding of the indictments
was great surprise, while
to others it was the expected -"
| That somebody was criminally
negligent, to use the mildest term, in the
management of the affairs of this bank,
| cannot be denied, and possibly the trial
| of the parties indicted may result in
showing who that somebody is. In the
! meantime the unfortunate depositors
will fully enjoy the hope deferred" that
maketh the heart sick.
The affairs of the Jacksonville, Tampa
| and Key West railway have occupied the
| United States courts here for
several years, in one form and another,
and while rival claimants sought to con
troll its management, things were some
| times rather mixed and always lively.
Under Maj J. A. Durkee's more serene
receivership, great improvements have
been made in this valuable
property. All the drawbridges between
| this city and Sanford have been replaced
by fine iron and steel structures and the
roadbed and rolling stock put into excel
| lent condition. Under General Passenger
Agent G.. d. Ackerlys efficient super
vision the passenger business of the road
has been most admirably sustained and
its popularity increased. This corpora
ton owns the Barlow and Punta Gorda
| road, broad gauge, and the Florida South
ern. from Palatka to BrooksVille, with a
branch to Gainesville, and line from
Sanford to Tavares and another from En-
terprise to Titusville, the main line being
from Jacksonville TO Sanford, forming
| the connecting link between the Savan-
nah, Florida and Western and the South
Florida and Tampa. There is, therefore,
much speculation as to which system of
Florida railroads will finally gobble up
this desirable property. IL already forms
a link in the great Plant system, but ru-
NOR says the F'lagler system and the
Florida Central and Penlusular system
have an eye on it. The verdict against it
in the United States court yesterday for
| over $50, 600, as well as pending litigation,
may hasten the time when it will fall
but not an easy prey-to one of these
three powerful and growing systems. Its
| future fate will form a very important
epoch in the railway history of Florida.