The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-07
BLOXHAM AND THEN BRYAN.
FLORIDA LEGISLATURE OPENS
WITH TWO ATTRACTIONS.


at the Opening SessiOn-AnnOunce-
ment Being Received That the De-
featcd Democratic Candidate
Could he Present Friday Both
Houses Pass a Resolution Inviting
Him to Address Them-The silver
Issue to he Used In the Fight over
the SenatOrship.
Tallahassee, Fla, April 6-The legisla-
turc convened this morning at n;5O
O'Clock.
The House was called to order by the
veteran chief clerk, Mr.. Bynum, and Mr..
Whitner Of Orange county was chosen
temporary chairman.
The members were sworn In in blocks
of four by Judge Mabry of the supreme
court, and the permanent organization was
effected by unanimous ratification of the
caucus nominations.
Speaker Mays, on taking the chair, ex-
pressed his deep sense of the duties in
volved on him in a forcible and impressive
speech, which was literally applauded.
Chief Clerk Bynum was elected by ac-
clamation, and Mr. Pelot of Manatee NOV
ed that the remainder of the attaches be
voted on collectively, which, after some
objections, was done.
The Senate ratified the caucus nomina-
ton, and was considerably more expedi-
tous In organizing than the lower branch.
The usual concurrent resolution provid-
ing for an investigation of the various
departments was introduced~
Just before adjournment Senator
Broome sprang a surprise by the intro
duction of a concurrent resolution invit-
ing w. j. Bryan to deliver an address be-
fore the legislature Friday night. Some
slight opposition was manifested, but the
resolution was adopted, with but one dis
senting voice. The House adopted sim
liar resolution unanimously.
Col. Frank Pope, member from Duval
county, has received from Mr.. Bryan. who
is in Washington, a dispatch saying he
could be here Friday night, and he has
been wired to come This move Is another
move of the determination of the free sill
Yer members to make the financial con-
troversy an issue ia the approaching sena-
torial contest, and an attempt will proba-
bly, be made by means of railroad excur-
sions to make Mr.. Bryan's visit the signal
for a great popular demonstra ton.
Gov. Bloxhams message was read to the
legislators to-day. It would make four
teen or fifteen columns of newspaper mat
ter. It's most salient points are given be-
low:
Florida's financial condition, notwith-
standing the panics and other destructive
forces from which she has suffered, is
most gratifying. Her controllers war
rants pass current in the banking insti-
tutions and moneyed marts of the country;
the small amount of bonds she has out
standing in the hands of individuals are
at a premium, although they have but
few years to run; she has no floating debt
and has cash in the treasury to meet all
legitimate expenses. Her entire debt is
not over 81. 80 per capita, being less than
any state in the union, and her state tax
proper is smaller than any southern state.
1t will be seen from the reports of the
controller that the total amounts of war
rants issued in 1895 amounted TO $7l4, ola. &c.
and in 1896, $647, S64 s..
These sums include not only the appro-
priations made by the legislature, but the
constitutional school tax of one mill, the
interest upon the common school fund.-
and the expenses of the state board of
health. They do not include the interest
upon the bonded debt, which is paid by
the treasurer upon the presentation of the
coupons representing said interest.
The states entire debt, then, for all
purposes, is $l,232, 800,
Ever since Mill advocated the imposi-
ton of extremely heavy succession duties,
with the object of promoting better dis
tribution of national wealth, and COMPEL
ing individuals to be more self-reliant,
financiers have given more thought to an
inheritance tax
While objections might he raised to such
contributions when eXacted from property
passing in immediate succession, as from
husband to wife, or parent to child, no
reasonable grounds of opposition can be
raised for a legitimate tax on such prop
erty as, through the protection of the
statute, comes into the possession of per-
sons or corporations who have no such
direct claim upon those from whom it is
derived.
Since recommending a tax on collateral
inheritance, in a report two years ago,
several cases have come under personal
observation, where a legitimate and
proper contribution should have been ex-
acted from such sources for public pur-
poses
Why cannot Florida enter those chan
nels that have been successfully explored
by other commonwealths?
Our revenue law of 1898 provided that
81 should be paid before any civil action
could be docketed in any court, other than
justice of the Peace courts. The legisla-
ture of 1895. in enacting an entirely new
revenue law, unwittingly, it is believed.
omitted this section. Under it the state