The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-04-07
FLORIDA LAW MAKERS.
THEY PROMISE AN ECONOMICAL.
SESSION or THE LEGIsLATURE.

Some of the Bills IntrOduced-Thc
Tax Question one of Great ImpOr-
tancc-RniIrOnd Commission Biu
Not Thought Probable That
Railroad Commission BilI VIII lie
Pnsscd-NOtes Relating 10 Lcgis-
lntive Work.
Tallahassee, Fla. April 6.-Reform and
Observation-Disclosures are evidently to be
the watchwords of the legislature OF
1895. That the situation demands both
is clear, for no state has suffered more
than this during the season just passed.
but from present indications It is by no
means clear that the means employed win
prove equal to the occasion.
That the situation here may be clearly
understood. It may as well be said that
the fatal freeze OF last February left tho
orange-growlng counties of tho state In
condition from which they viii not
soon recover. and that the vital question
here to-day Is the question OF taxes and
the collection thereof. The equalization
OF taxes upon some equitable basis has
long been agitatcd here with little effect
and the large property-owncr has gone on
escaping the burdens imposed upon his
poorer neighbor The financial condition
Of the state is to-day much better than
for some years past; that of the people
much worse For this reason, the condi-
lions of the problem are changed. The
question Is no longer how TO rcplcnish
the state treasury. but In what way TO
relieve the people who compose the state
The controller has already advised the
county tax collectors to postpone the
usual tax sale until August. and when
the reports recently called for from the
controller and treasurer are furnished,
tho legislature Will be in position 10 act
intelligently. In the meantime Senator
Darbys bin rendering possible the pay
ment OF taxes by intcrest-bcaring cortin-
Gates of indebtedness for the next three
years, has been sent to a committee for
revision 1t may be heard Of again, but
It will be IN such a shape that its author
will hardly recognize II. The bill embod-
led a good idea in a bad shape, and was
bounded all over the Senate to-day.
The most probable outcome of the sit
uation is that the valuation of property
will be so greatly reduced that the taxes
of the average orange grower will not
amount TO much for the next three years
while the states revenues-never too
heavy-will also be greatly reduced, and
a new deficit made necessary
In spite Of al this, there Is a disposition
among a certain class to oppose every
measure likely to draw the attention Of
capitalists TO the state. and 60 exploit its
resources. one of the best bills vet intro
duccd here for example, is that incor-
poraung the Florida Jockey Club and
State Fair Association, which has already
been favorably reported in the Senate
The advantages of the Florida climate I'm
the wintering of race horses has long been
recognized by experts, and there has of
late been reason to suppose that with
proper encouragement the owners OF the
larger stables Of the north and west might
be induced to make the state their head
quarters for the winter Jacksonville
has been prominently mentioned as the
most available point for the initiation
of such an enterprise. and the object Of
the bill in question is to organize com
pany with that end in view.
This idea, long agitated has at last
taken practical shape. It has behind it
men Of large means and liberal views
Their scheme embraces, not only an
adequate track and stables in Jacksonville.
but a racing circuit throughout the state;
and there can be no doubt that their ideas,
IL HeAt ii1A DAAf v III SutEHtl III giving FLOR
ida an attraction that will yearly draw
here a class Of wealthy people whose
winters are now spent IN the Riviera, and
who-perhaps with some reason-regard
the state as one that Is all climate and no
enjoyments.
Nevertheless, the bin VIII no doubt be
houy contested by class OF people who
know too little OF the modern turf TO real
lie the magnitude Of the interests in
volved or their value to the state Those
best Informed, however, think the measure
likely TO become a law, and believe that
next winter will see located here such nota-
BILE strings OF "nyers" as those owned by
the Dryers. the Lorriards and Keenes.
No one who knows anything Of Florida
politcs-and no ether state has more 20
the square foot--Will be surprised 10 learn
that a railroad commission bin has ai-
ready been introduced In the House.
Maj O.. J.. Heaiy, Of Nolusia county,
fathers the measure. and as he IS an ola
railroad man. be- should. al least. aD-