The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-08-04

TALLAHASSEE, Fla, Aug. 4-The only
State issue dividing the people of Florida
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 the white Democratic voters in a pri-
| mary election to be held November next
! 1t has been placed squarely before them
| for decision by the insertion in the plat
| form adopted by the recent Democratic
! State Convention held in Jacksonville, of
| the following plank: THE question of the
| removal of the seat of State government
and as to the holding of a constitutional
/ convention should be settled by the white
! Democratic electors of the State at pri-
mary election to be held at the time OF
holding the State election, November s,
1900. to be participated in by only white
Democrats who, in said general election.
| shall have voted for the candidates of this
convention
The constitution of Florida provides that
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 1923. two
years after the purchase of the territory
from Spain, the location having been chos-
en- by commission appointed by President
Monroe for that purpose, consisting of Dr.
| W H. Simmons and John L. Williams.
Tallahassee has remained uninterrupted
ly the capital of Florida Notwithstanding
abortive efforts have been made from time
to time since 1S49 TO remove the capital to
a more easterly town. The present move
Icent, however, is by far the most serious
and best organized even started in this di-
TectiGn, and it is generally conceded that
the result of this contest will settle the
location Of Forida's capital for many years
to come
The contest is entirely within the lines
| of the Democratic party. and only white
Democrats Will be allowed to participate.
The Democrats are in absolute control Of
Florida and their platform continues 5
follows:
I'm the event that a place other than
Tallahassee shall have received a plurality
of the votes cast for the location of the
seat of State government it shall be the
duty of the State Legislature to provide
for the submission TO the electors OF con-
stitutional amendment providing for the
change of location to that place chosen at
said primary election, and 1t shall be the
duty Of all Democrats to vote for such con-
sututiona1 amendment. If Tallahassee
shall receive the plurality vote, then the
Legislature shall there provide better and
safer accommodations for the States rec
ords and business"
Thus has the Democratic State Conven-
ton, establishing a precedent heretofore
unknown in Florida sought to dictate posi-
lively and directly the action of both the
Legislature, which is sure TO be over
whelmingly Democratic. and also of the
Democratic voters OF the State in the
event that the white Democrats give some
other town than Tallahassee a plurality OF
their votes at the November primary 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 provides,
concerning amendments, that such amend
ments. proposed in either house of the
Legislature, shall require for adoption the
votes of three-ffths of all the members
elected to each house shall be entered
upon the journals, published in one news
paper in each county for three months i'm
mediately preceding the next general cleo
ton, and submitted for approval or reiec-
ton by the voters
The primary will be held November 6.
II plurality of the white Democratic
electors vote for removal to a place other
than Tallahassee the necessary constftu-
tlonal amendment Will be proposed at the
session of the Legislature to meet next
April, and. If it is adopted by a three
ffths vote in each house will be submit
ted to the people at the general election
in November. 1902. If a majority of the
electors voting upon such amendment ia
vor its adoption 1t viii become a part of
the constitution, to take effect as OF the
day of its 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
haSSPa All af thaSa in h.
or East Florida Congressional district All
OF them have formed active associations,
composed of their strongest men, to work
for the capital, and the whole State is be-
ing flooded with literature and oratory set
ting forth the advantages of the several
aspirants.)
The several towns striving to displaee
Tallahassee as the States capital are each
urging as the main grounds for their Sc
lection that they are more modern and pro-
gressive than Tallahassee. nearer the cen
ire OF the States population. more Access
sibie by transportation lines and that Flor
ida needs a larger and finer Statehouse to
accommodate her officials and show to her
winter visitors. There are many indica-
tons, however. that the whole question
will resolve itself into one as to whether
at this time the taxpayers of Florida are
able and ready to bear the additional bur
den of taxation which would have to be
iLiposSu vi NHeu III OTueT TO remove the
seat OF government and erect a handsome
miilion-dollar capitol. as is proposed.
1t has been aseertained by direct enqui-
ry that the present Statehouse is large
enough and sufficiently protected for all
the needs OF every branch of the State gov
eminent. 1t is old building but one of
the most substantial in the State. TaIla
hassee enjoys advantages of superior
healthfuiness and cheapness of living. II
is widely believed, too that the incidental
expenses OF running the State government
were present removal plans carried
through would be multiplied over present
figures.
Suwanee River is said to be practically
solid against capital removal. A large
number of people in eastern and peninsu-
lar Florida, however desire the capital in
their section. A majority of Florida's pop
but many of them are said to be against |
capital removal at this time, Oh account Of |
the expense involved. Especially are the |
tru1tSroWers, who have suffered so severe |
~ In the last half dozen years from kill |
ing freezes, opposed to this movement I'M /
III they are able to recoup the losses which |
they have had to bear
Another obstacle in the way of cani+a1 |
removal Is that unless the constitutional |
provision relative TO the issuance of State |
poHuS Is amended there is no way to raise I
the necessary money except by direct tax /
alton. and this would require such large
extra levy that it is thought to he antiraII
impracticable. Section 6 of Article " NJ
the State Constitution. provides that setba |
Lee ha1