The Florida star., 1900-09-21
ST. AUGUSTINE'S DONATION.
A Letter Explaining the Method For Rails
ing the S25O,OOO.

Letter Explaining the method ror hals-
ing the s25O.OOO.
Editor of The Florida Star:
The editorial which appeared in the
issue of your paper of August 3lst, has
just been brought to the attention of this
committee, and We take pleasure in re-
plying To your queries.
OF course a constitutional amendment
would be required for st. Augustine to
issue bonds 10 the amount of $3.50, 10000,
and, ar you say, both provisions of the
amendment, changing the site and
authorizing the issue of bonds, would be-
come effective the same day. But you
err in stating that another election in our
city would have TO be held to finally de-
eide upon the issuing of the bonds. This
might be done, but it Is by no means
necessary.
The people of St. Augustine in mass
meeting assembled have made this offer,
their action has been acknowledged and
sanctioned by resolutions adopted in our
city council, and, the Capital Removal
committee of the IT. Augustine board Of
trade, acting for the people of this city,
! has certified To the chairman of the state
! Democratic executive committee a state
ment of st. Augustines candidacy and
the offer which she makes, and has
also paid the treasurer of said committee
$1,000 90, the amount assessed a. her pro-
! rata of the expense of conducting the pri-
maries. In other words, this city has au-
thOritatively entered into a contract with
the people of Florida.
Now then, if 10y virtue of snch offer
and as result of said primary election, a
constitutional amendment should be-
adopted at a subsequent election naming
st. Augustine as the future seat of the
state government, the city of II. Angus
tine would be obligated to carry ont the
proposition, and the city authorities
could be compelled by mandamus at the
suit of any taxpayer of the state Ia issue
bonds for $3.50, 10000 for the purpose.
The above is the substance of AN Opin-
ion given To the Jacksonville Capital Re-
moval association relative 10 Jackson
ville's offer of 500, ,OOO.0 by Judge W. Il.
Young, of that city, one of tine best
authorities in the state, and this opinion
l. concurred in by the most prominent
members of the legal profession in Flo
rida.
The state l. the sovereign power, and
although the representatives of this
county i'm the legislature have been direct
ed, and stand pledged to introduce the
resolution To authorize. II. Augustine tu
bond, ii cOuld be done 10y the represent
ativcs of anV other county and might hc
made mandatory instead OF directory. We
can see no reason Why such resolution
should not br passed, for if nur citizens
believe that having the capital here would
be- of sufficient benefit 10 them To warrant
their shouldering the cost of erecting Il
suitable building, the rest of the state
would have no occasion 10 wOrry about
ii.
Thus Won will see that Our people. hav-
. ing made this proposition. could not cvadc
carving II ont If they would, and Ne
assure. YOU that they are most earnest
and SIncerr in - doing AMI that the
proposition has the full ami hearty en-
: dur~cmrut of all uur citizens. Jackson
willie. cannot tuthiully Say a. muchI
. The magnitude oi -. Augu-tinc'~ otlcr
. has Disturbed the Ought-tn br-rcm"yed
politicians who are engineering Jackson
: vilit's campaign, and they say about 1t
81. Augustine has made an offer - lar4t
, that il cannot be- considered seriously.
, They also say that We wonld he unable
Ia realize upon our securities. THESE
statements We are in position 10 rtiectu.
: allv refutc, for We are authorized by the
: First National bank Of this city 10 say
I that they will place the entire ISSUE, bear
, ing per cent interest, AT par.
. We think We have answered youi
! questions fully, and would be glad L
: give YOU all the light desired upon -
Augnstine's offer Ii L. bona tide and ",
, think will prove winner.
: Very truly yours,
:. J. &. Il. FOSTER
r Chairman press committee.
: II. Augustine, Fla, Septl3th. l"OU.