The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-02
DEMOCRATS OF FAIR FLORIDA.
STATE CONVENTION MEETS AT
ORLANDO TOMORROW.

Candidates to De Nominated for Two
supreme Court Justiceships, state
Treasurer and Two Railroad Conn
missioners-Chief Justice Taylor's
Nomination Practically Assured
Justice Carter Also 10 he RenOmi-
nated-Treasurer JAS. II. Whitfield
Also to Be the Party Standard
Bearer.
Tallahassee, Fla, Aug. 1.-The Demo-
Gratis of Florida will hold a state conven-
ton at Orlando on the Sd inst, to nomi-
nate candidates for two justices of the
Supreme Court. one for the fun term of
six years, and one to fill the unexpired
term of Hon. B. S. Liddon, resigned;
state treasurer, to fill the unexpired term
of c. b. collins, who was forced to resign
last year after a shortage of $4,000 was
discovered in his accounts; two railroad
commissioners, each for the term of four
years, and one railroad commissioner for
the term of two years, all to be voted for
in November next.
The term of ChAf Justice r. +. Taylor
expires this year. and there is scarcely a
himself for a term of six years. When
Judge Liddon resigned, fourteen months
ago Gov. Bloxham appointed Hon. Fran
els b. Garter of Mariana to the vacancy
until the next general election which will
be held next November. Judge Garter has
made an excellent justice. and will be
nominated for the unexplred term of two
years.
About eighteen months ago charges
were made that State Treasurer Clarence
B. Collins was short some $4,000. The
legislature came along. and impeachment
proceedings were instituted. In the midst
of this, Collins resigned, and the Governor
promptly appointed Hon. James Is. Whit
field of Tallahassee, who had been clerk
of the Supreme Court for eight years, to
be state treasurer until the next general
election, this fall. Mr. Whitfield has made
a jealous guardian of the states finances
and a model treasurer, and his nomination
is assured.
If any serious contest arises in the con-
vention it will be over the selection of
candidates for railroad commissioners.
There are perhaps dozen candidates In
the field for these three positions, with
StAO CiiaAlNSS ldASely HI IaNOF OF the NOM
nation of the present incumbents, who
are ex-Congressman r. II. NJ. Davidson,
Hon. II. E, Day, and Hon. j. NJ. Bryan.
The Florida Railroad Commission law.
passed by the legislature of 1897, was the
broadcast and most radical railroad COM
mission law ever enacted in this country
1t provided for three commissioners to
be appointed by the Governor and hold
office until the general election in No
vember, 1888 at which time there should
be an election of three commissioners. So
remarkable and so important were the
powers given to this commission that
Gov BloXham used the utmost care in Sc
Letting the men who should first exercise
these powers. His appointees, Messrs,
Davidson, Day and Bryan have perform
ed their duties so as to give very general
satisfaction There Is, however, an ele-
ment which thinks their work has been
too conservative, and it is likely that a
fight Will be made upon Mr. Day who
was formerly a railroad official Still. the
officials at the capitol and party leaders
feel confident that all three commission
ers will be nominated.
1t Is not thought that any unusual reso-
lutions will be offered in the convention.
The state administration praised and the
valor of American soldiers lauded. The
party organization in Florida is in excel
lent shape and the ticket nominated will
be elected.