The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-04-03
FLoRIDA'S LAWMAKERS MEET.
THE CAUCUS NOMINEES ELECTED
BY BOTH HOUSES.

debtedness Bearing Interest ut q
ern0r's Message.
Tallahassee, Fla. April 2.-The legisia-
ture organized to-day. The House was
called to order at y o'clock. with a full
attendance. The members were sworn
in by Justice Liddon of the supreme
court
Mr. Clark OF Jefferson was made tenn
porary speaker after which the caucus
nominations were taken up and ratified
with W. S. Jennings Of fernando as speak
er. and Dr. W. F. Bynum Of Suwanee as
chief clerk.
A number OF concurrent resolutions look
ing to investigation of the state depart
ments were introduced.
Mr.. Drew of Nassau introduced a res
olution fixing the time Of the final ad-
journment as May 9. after which, at 100
O'Clock, the House adjourned until 10
o'clock tomorrow.
The Senate met at u o'clock and ad-
journed at $50 o'clock. after ratifying the
caucus nominations by electing Fred T.
Myers president and T. J. Applyard sec
rotary.
The short session was almost entirely
consumed with the duties of organization.
Senator Darby of Putnam introduced
an important bill for the remission of
taxes upon the issuance Of certificates of
Indebtedness by delinquent taxpayers
bearing interest at 6 per cent and which
are to be so drawn as TO make them the
basis of a loan by the state. This bill
covers a period of three years. The GER
fihcates for 1894 are payable in three years,
those for 1885 are payable in two years and
those for 1896 are payable in one year.
The governors message was issued to-
day without the usual formal presenta-
ton.
The legislature is Overwhelmingly demo-
cratic in both branches.
The most important questions to come
before the Legislature will be those re-
Iating to the establishment OF a railroad
commission, reform of the election law
and the relief Of the people from taxa
fion owing to the losses incurred by the
freezes.
Gov. MitcheH's message was brief and
gelated almost entirely to matters Of
only local interest. Under the head of
prize lighting the governor says: Dur
ing the last year most disgraceful and
brutal fight of this character took place
in the city of Jacksonville and parties
who resort to this laudable occupation IS
a means of making a living without hon
est labor, are Boosting that there is no
law in this state to prevent such dis
graceful contests, and openly boast that
another one will be pulled Off at Jack
sonville next September, but, gentlemen,
you have it in your power to prevent this
by proper legislation
Il recommend that these prize fights, or
glove contests, be made felonies by stat
ute, with such penalties attached as will
cause these thugs TO respect the law ana
TO respect law-abiding, God-fearing peo-
pie of the state in the pursuit of all their
rights as citizeps.
The law should authorize sheriffs, and
those acting in their aid and assistance,
when they have cause to believe that a
prize fight or glove contest is about TO
take place. to enter any house or enclos-
ure, or any other place wherein they may
have reason to believe such contest is to
take place, for the purpose of arresting
those engaged or about to engage there |
in. Also that all persons who may be
present at such contest in any wise aiding |
or abetting the same, by betting thereon
or by being present thereat, shall be
deemed guilty of felony. and upon con-
Viction be punished the same as the prin-
cipals
Relative TO lotteries, the governor says:
There has been much said in the news
papers about a lottery located at Port
Tampa, as to the truth of which / have
no knowledge, but respectfully recon-
mend that the law against lotteries be so
amended as to clear that institution out
OF the state If here, and to prevent others
being located in the state"
Gov. Mitchell recommends an appro-
priation for the Atlanta exposition, say
tng. feTho r0pfrollar
moderate sum of money be appropriated
TO advertise the states resources at the |
Atlanta Cotton States and Internationa |
Exposition, in which I fully concur"
. On the subject of taxation the governor
says: *The state constitution requires that
the legislature shall provide for a uniform
and equal rate of taxation, and IT Is rec
commended that an act be passed Great
ing an equalization commission, with full
power 10 equaliZe the taxes among the
people of the state-Sa commission clothed
with such powers that the rich mans
property will not be exempt from taxa
ton, while the poor man has to bear a
disproportionate burden of the taxes"
Referring to the criminal laws the gov
ernor says: II recommend that, where a
man is tried for the highest degree of an
offense, and is convicted of a lower degree,
and the verdict is set aside and new trial
granted, the accused, at the new trial.
may NC NOANlCltu VI any one OF the de-
grees Of the offense for which he is tried
Notwithstanding his conviction of one of
the lower degrees of the offense at the
former trial. This has been done in other
states and there is no good reason against
it. ] also recommend in this connection
that such amendment of the law of murder
be made as will avoid the result that a
conviction of murder in the second degree
can not be sustained by proof of murder
in the first degree
The governor also says: 1T is a source
of deep regret that the state is not able
TO erect suitable buildings for the safe
keeping and proper employment of
her convicts. They are scattered
over different portions of the state,
some in phosphate mines, and
some on turpentine farms. rec
ommend that the state be authorized to
employ an agent, whose duty it shall be
to visit the camps frequently. and look
after the interests of the convicts.
The insane asylum is in admirable con-
dition. The inmates are healthy, well
clothed and fed, and, in a word, well
and abundantly cared for in every respect.
The message concludes with plea for the
most rigid economy.
A ONE-SIDED GAME AT NORFOLK,