Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1895-04-17
FLORIDA LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent,
BARLOW, FLA, April s, 1895.

BARLOW, FLA, April s, 1895.
Circuit Court has been in session and
during the the term two white men
were sentenced to the penitentiary for
attempted rape; one for seventeen wears
and the other for life. The business of
the courts here is principally confined
TO trying negroes for stabbing and
shooting each other, and white men for
stealing hog or steer. Be it said to
the colored man s credit one of them is
seldom before the courts on charge
OF stealing. The negroes here as a rule
are industrious, honest and we'll to do.
The most of them will condescend to
speak to white man, which is quite a
contrast from the "niggersn of Jack
sonville. As stated in my last CON-
munication, some of the merchants, on
account of advances made to orange
and vegetable growers, were in hole
with slight prospects of extricating
themselves. AS result of this one
prominentgrocer firm went under last
week, and how soon others will follow
suit the Lord only knows. Times are
close here and money matters very
stringent for this section; although the
prospects are brighter as the vegetable
crops are beginning to be put upon the
market. A large acreage has been
planted. A great many of the orange
trees are putting forth leaves, and con-
sequently the Floridians were not hit
as hard as it first appeared. The Leg
islature of the State is now in session,
and bills have been introduced, with
an assurance of becoming law, for the
relief OF tax payers by extending the
time of forced collection. There is
no question but what large per cent.
OF the tax payers are wholly unable to
pay, and By an extension the vegetable
and watermelon crops will enable
thcm to pull through all right. 1t is
argued by newspaper and prominent
men that were the property of tax pay
ers advertised for sale, as the present
law requires, it would be positive in
Jury to the State, as it would cause out.
siders to think times were much harder
here than is really the case. All the
people want is little time and all will
be we'll. They say the State was really
hit, and hit to hurt too, but they are
still in the ring andknow no such word
as fail. Our company is building a
phosphate plant on the waters of Peace
river, a few miles above the point where
old Hickory Jackson and Seminole In
dians-I believe it was, made treaty
OF peace at the close of the Florida war.
From this fact the river derived its pres.
ent name. This river abounds with
fish and your scribe has fine sport fish
ing, especially on Sunday, when he
has nothing to do. We caught twenty
i've or thirty pounds on yesterday.
Sunday is a great day for fishing or
hunting in this State; there is no law
against it, and none against working
on that day either. tits right amusing
to hear one of the Democratic factions
denounce the present election laws and
loundly demand ther repeal and some
thing better substituted by the present
Legislature. But as majority of that
body we're elected under the advantages
afforded them by that law it is not
likely that any changes will be made.
There is scarcely town of note in the
State but what two factions exist, each
striving for the ascendency. At this
time the railroad element is on top
and likely to remain 30, as they have
all the election machinery in the cities.
The inspectors, clerks and judges are
all appointed from that faction, and
they being Democrats too, of course
nothing like an honest election is held.
1t is mere formality. 1t all depends
upon their honesty, and whoever heard
OF an honest Democrat in politics-as
to how big majority is counted for
their man or men. A Democrat may
be ever 80 honorable in his business re-
lations, but when it comes to honesty
in election, that is gray horse of an
other color. In proof of this we only
refer to the desperate efforts of your
Uncle Peter and his thieving band of
cohorts to thw art the will of the legal
voters Of the old Pioneer State. We
were proud to notice the manly stand
taken by Hon. s. J. kirkpatrick, of
your town. If Democracy was compos-
ed of such men there would be no
trouble. But this is an exceptionally
rare case of honesty. Would to God
we had more like him. Hoping Mr..
Evans will finally be counted in and in
augurated and again be triumphantly
reelected, l will close. PHELIM.
$50 your husband was drowned in
Al