The morning news., 1899-04-05
MESSAGE SENT IN.
s,ys FLORIDA's FINANCIAL CONDI-
TION IS UNSURPASSED.


He,.Ith-PensiOn Fund Is Very
Meager-E.egisIatiOn Needed for
.a railroad COmmissiOn-Much
Being Done for the Seminole In
dians-sOme of the Judicial Needs.
Tallahassee, Fla, April 1.-The Florida
legislature convened here at noon to-day,
and the two houses organized by electing
tbe.nominees of last nights caucus in the
Senate.
Frank Adams of Hamilton county is
nresident of the Senate, and T. J. Apple
yard of Orange, former secretary, is re-
elected.
Robert McNamee of Lake county is
sneaker of the House, and DIR. William
Forsyth Bynum of suwannee is chief
clerk.
The other officers of the Senate are:
L. L. Ramsey of Lafayette assistant
secretary; Bert Fish of VoIusia, reading
clerk; Fred L. Robertson of Hernando
assistant recording and bill clerk; John
" Cannon of Lake, to be recording sec
retary; Ben L. Blackburn of De
Soto, engrossing clerk; S. A
ogiIvie of Nassau. sergeant-at-arms;
C. j. Hardee of Madison, enrolling secre-
tary; T. J. Peavy of Gadsden. 10 be door
keeper; w. H. Watson of Walton, messen-
ger; Rev S. NJ. Provence of Leon, 10 be
chaplain; NJ C. Burns of Suwanee, to be
janitor; Oscar Hendly of Pasco, Mack
Reddick of Marion and Eugene H. Pritch-
ard of Leon, pages. All the nominees were
,,parirYoousIv elected
Gov. Bloxham's message was received
and the Senate dajourned ill 10 O'Clock to-
morrow morning.
Elections in the House.
The House elected the following officers:
Speaker, Robert McNamee of Lake coun-
"; chief clerk. William Forsyth Bynum of
Suwanee; assistant chief clerk, Charles
H. Dickinson of Madison; reading clerk
Nat w Madison of Hariston; assistant
reading clerk, G. ]. Strozer of Marion;
engrosing clerk, Herbert ]. Drane of Polk;
enrolling clerk, Green e. Paris Of Baker;
recording clerk, c. w. Bannerman of
Leon; sergeant-at-srms, Andrew Scott of
Jackson messenger, Thomas A. Bass of
Ocala; doorkeeper Jem c. Summer of
Pasco; ianitor J. Clyde Stinchcomb of
Columbia; chaplain, Rev. w. j. Carpenter
of Leon; pages, E. Earnest McLine of
Lake. John McLaren of Duval, c. Rod
man Jones OF BrauIOrd.
After receiving the Governors message
the House adjourned until 10 o'clock to-
morrow morning.
Hon. John Denham of Key West pre-
sented to Speaker McNamee beautiful
gavel, bedecked in national colors, made
from the keel of the batteship Maine, in
token of the esteem and confidence of the
Monroe county delegation.
The speaker gracefully accepted the his
in
expressed very patriotic sentiments.
The caucuses> were in session nearly all
last night, and the result has placed a
phase upon the senatorial situation.
All parties are resting quietly, but re-
newed activity in the contest is likely to
break out any day.
BIOxham's Able Review.
Gov. Bloxham's message, sent to the leg
islature to-day, is an able review of the
states affairs.
"Florida's financial condition" he saws
lis unsurpassed by that of any state in
the union. She has no floating debt; the
few bonds outstanding in the hands of in
dlVlduals, although nearly due, are at
premium and her controllers warrants
pass as cash in all financial channels
During the past two years 100000 of the
states debt has been paid, and the state
tax proper has been reduced to 3 mills
The legislature is strongly urged TO pre-
serve the states excellent financial stand
ing and make the burden of taxation as
hgnt as possible. In this connection he
says; If no material changes are made
IN our revenue laws and no extraordinary
appropriations authorized by the legisla-
lure, the financial condition of the state
Will remain in a healthy and satisfactory
condition, with our present rate of taxa
uon The entire state debt, including
amount IN educational funds. is $1,182,5OO
To Redeem State Bonds.
The Governor recommends that bonds
bearing very low rate of interest be is
sued 10 refund or redeem the S924. 500 of
state bonds now held by individuals. and
shortly to mature and that manuscript
ponds bearing a higher rate of interest.
necessary, be issued in lieu of the $685.
funds
The cheerful and entirely satisfactory
response made by the Florida state troops
ana naval militia at the outbreak of the
opahlsh-American war is referred to with
pride and recommendations are made for
more systematic organiza ton of these
podles OF troops and militia.
Inc Governor states that at the close of
the school year in June, 1898, there were
m operation 253S public schools, with q
W. teachers. of these schools 1899 were
Ior white and $50 for colored pupils. At
me same time there were 2,1OS white and
6S4 colored teachers The total enrolment
was Io84o5. divided as follows: White, o.
oof' colored 4O,798. The aggregate expendi-
lures amounted to S736 951.23. 1t is recon-
menped that liberal appropria tions be made
70 continue the excellent work of the pub
lie schools.
state Board of Health.
The first decade of the official life of
lhe state Board of HEALTH" says the Gov
ernor, has passed into history. Its rec
ora is one of unbroken success, and the
people of Florida appreciate its work. The
uyng experience OF last summer. with
great armies encamped upon our soil, and
constant communication with infected
PoIts has emphasized the fact that our
Hedlth board furnishes the best security
asaiust the possibility of epidemics and
the evils resulting therefrom."
Unable to Pay Pensions.
Attention is directed to the fact that the