The Savannah morning news., 1900-08-06
REMOVAL OF THE CAPITAL.
TIRE ONLY ISSUE THAT DIVIDES
FLORIDA DEMOCRATS.


People.
Tallahassee Fla, Aug. 5.-The only
state issue dividing the people of Flor
ida in the political campaign of this year
is: Shall the state capital be removed
from Tallahassee? If so, to what place?
This question is to be practically settled
by white Democratic primary, 10 be
held Nov. next. 1t has been placed
squarely before them for decision by the
insertion in the platform adopted by the
recent Democratic State Convention of
the following plank;
The question of the removal of the seat
of government and as to the holding of
a constitutional convention should be set
tied by the white Democratic electors of
the state at a primary election to be held
at the time of holding the stale election,
Nov g. 1900 to be participated in by only
white Democrats, who. in said general
election, shall have voted for the candi-
dates of this convention"
The constitution of Florida provides
that 1.-The seat of government shall be at
the city of Tallahassee, in the county of
Leon" Tallahassee was established as
the capital of the territory of Florida in
1928 two years after the purchase of the
territory from Spain, the location having
been chosen by a commission appointed
by President Monroe for that purpose,
consisting of DR.. w. H. Simmons and
John l.. Williams, Esq.
Abortive efforts have been made from
time to time since 1s49 10 remove the capi-
al 40 CT 10
ent movement, however, is by far the
most serious and best organized ever
started
The contest is entirely within the lines
of the Democratic party, and only white
Democratse will be allowed TO participate.
The Democrats are in absolute control of
Florida, and their platform continues a.
follows
I'm the event that a place other than
Tallahassee shall have received a plu-
ralty of the votes cast for the location
of the seat of state government it shall
be the duty of the State Legislature 90
provide for the submission to the electors
of a constitutional amendment, providing
for the change of loca ton 20 that place
chosen at said primary election and it
shall be the duty of all Democrats to vote
for such constitutional amendment. II
Tallahassee shall receive the plurality
provide better and safer accommodations
for the states records and business"
Made "a New Precedent.
Thus has the Democratic State Con-
vention. establishing precedent hereto
fore unknown in Florida, sought to die
tate positively and directly the action of
both the Legislature, which is sure to be
overwhelmingly Democratic, and also OF
the Democratic voters of the state, in
the event that the white Democrats give
some other town than Tallahassee a pIu-
ralty OF their votes at the November pri-
mary. This would in effect, shut out
all Republicans and colored Democratic
voters from any voice in the location of
the state capital
As seen, the constitution must be amend
ed before the capital can be removed
from Tallahassee. The constitution pro-
vides, concerning amendments that such
amendments proposed in either house of
the Legislature, shall require for adop-
tion the votes of three-fifths of all the
members elected 40 each House. shall
be entered upon the journals, published
in one newspaper in each county for
three months Immediately preceding the
next general election, and submitted at
such election for approval or rejection by
the voters.
The primary will be held Nov 6. If a
plurality of the white Democratic electors
vote for removal to a place other than
Tallahassee, the necessary constitutional
amendment will be proposed at the session
of the Legislature to meet next April and
if it is adopted by a three-hfths vote in
each house. will be submitted to the peo-
pie at the general election in November
1902. If the majority of the electors voting
upon such amendment favor its adoption
1t will become a part of the constitution,
to take effect as of the day of it's adoption.
The cities entered as candidates for the
location of the capital are Tallahassee,
Jacksonville, st. Augustine. Ocala and
Gainesville. With the exception of ITALIA
hassee all of these towns are in the Sec
ond. or East Florida Congressional Dis
trict. All of them have formed active as
cations, composed of their strongest
men, to work for the capital and the
whole state is being flooded with litera-
ture and oratory setting forth the advan-
tages of the several aspirants
The several towns striving TO displace
Tallahasse as the states capital are each
urging, as the main grounds for their Sc
lection, that they are more modern and
progressive than Tallahassee nearer the
center of the states population, more ac-
cessible by transportation lines, and that
Florida needs a larger and finer state
house to accommodate her officials and
show to her winter visitors. There are
many indications. however that the whole
question will resolve itself into one as TO
whether at this time the taxpayers of
Florida are able and ready 10 bear the
additional burden of taxation which would
have to be imposed upon them in order
to remove the seat of government and
erect handsome million dollar capitol, as
is proposed.
The Old Capitol.
1t has been ascertained by direct inquiry
that the present State House is large
enough and sufficiently protected for all
the needs of every branch Of the state
government. 1t is an old building. but
one of the most substantial in the state
Tallahassee enjoys advantages of superior
healthfulness and cheapness of living. II
is widely believed too. that the incidental
expenses OF running the state government
we're present removal plans carried
through, would be multiplied over present
figures.
That portion of the state west Of the
Suwannee river is said 10 be practically
solid against capital removal. A large
number of people In Eastern and PENN
sular Florida, however. desire the capital
in their section. majority of Florida's
population is east and south OF the SUI
wannee, but many Of them are said 10 be
against capital removal at this time on
account of the expense involved Especially
are the fruit-growers, who have suffered so
severely In the last half dozen years from
killing freezes, opposed to this movement
until they are able 10 recoup the losses