The age-herald., 1900-08-27
Annexation of Western Florida.

The people of Florida are about to move the capital of the State from Tallahassee. small town in western Florida, to Jack sonville, and western Florida is in a dis gruntled condition over the proposed change. This discontent finds expression in resolutions unanimously adopted by the Young Mems Business League of Pensa- cola, favoring annexation of western Flori- da to Alabama. E Y This proposition is warmly seconded in Alabama. The change would be better for Pensacola and all the rest of western Flor giving her the seacoast that nature intend ed she should have.
 The people of western Florida have much closer and more important trade relations with Alabama than they have with the distant Atlantic coast of Florida Direct lines of railroad would carry them to Mont gomery, and Pensacola In particular would gain handsomely from the proposed trans fer of sovereignty. Alabama at any rate would welcome such an accession, and the Legislature which will soon be in session would give the needful consent--would In fact. invite the transfer All that remains to do would consist in gaining the con- sent of the Florida Legislature, and this ought not be difficult in the combinations that are possible over the capital removal question. Congress will do the rest without hesitancy.
 We add the resolutions adopted by the Young Mems Business League of Pensaco- la:
 "Whereas, in the last State Democratic Convention. resolution relative to the an- nexation of west Florida to Alabama was by said State convention referred to the next State Democratic Convention; there fore be 1t
 Resolved, That 1t Is the sentiment of this league that such annexation would be conductive to the industrial development and general prosperity of the city of Pen sacola; be 1t further
 Resolved, That the president of this league be instructed to appoint special committee of three to investigate this sub ject and recommend to this league what action, if any, should be advisable by the league. and report at the next regular meet ing.'
 The Pensacola News gives the following statistics of the territory involved:
 "The seven countles-not Including a small portion of Franklin County-lying west of the Apala chicola river constitute an area of nearly four million aeres-3 S00.- 2l4; the population of these counties in 1S95 was 7S,635. and is much larger now; the as- sessed value of real estate therein in 1899 was of real property $7,46I39S, of personal property. S250i,0S7, and of railroads and tel egraph lines $2,aS5. aeo, making grand total of property subject to taxation S12.2S5, ,506 The aggregate State. county school and license taxes assessed for 1859 in these coun- ties was $2i3051.5S.
 Should it be surprising to any one that Alabama should desire the acquisition of such territory. which it must be remem- bered, contains the second city of the State and the only deep-water port on the gulf It is certainly not strange that the people of this region. ignored or contemptuously regarded as they are by the self-seeking, self-cons ttuted political kickers of the eastern part of the State, should desire to acquire independence, peace and prosperity through annexation"