The Florida star. (Titusville, Fla.) 1880-1917, 1900-10-12
CAPITAL REMOVAL speaking.
DIR. Webb and Judge Foster Make n Strong
Argument In Favor OF st. Augustine.

evening in the interest of their city as
candidate for the state capital. Indian
River band gave a delightful concert be-
fore the meeting was called to order, and
while they were playing the opera house
rapidly filled with our citizens. The
meeting was presided over by Judge
Gaulden, who introduced as the first
speaker DR.. Dewitt Webb.
DIR. Webb began by saying that the
capital belonged TO the citizens of the
state, and so no place had any claim for
it except as it best accommodated the
people of the state, and went on to say
that Of the conditions which We're most
important to consider were, first, con-
venience of access TO all parts of the
state.
This condition st. Augustine entirely
fulfills. With unsurpassed railroad con-
nections with all parts of the state she is
in position to say to everybody, "come
and welcome"
Another consideration is healthfulness,
and in this st. Augustine can claim
record hardly equaled by any city in the
state. 1t has been a health resort for
centuries. Its climate is as good in sum-
mer as in winter. Its homes and board
ing houses and hotels afford ample ac-
commodation for all at all times.
1t has none of the objections which
have been so strongly urged against
commercial cities.
st. Augustine is the only city that
offers clean cut business proposition i'll
regard to building the capitol without
any expense To the state. The offer is
to build the capitol and turn it over TO
the people of the state. Until this is
done the capital is to remain at ITALIA
hassee.
Dr. Webb then rapidly reviewed the
history of st. Augustine from its earliest
settlement as the first city founded in
North America to the present time, and
after reviewing Col. Fetcher's speech,
delivered here recently, closed by urging
upon the audience TO favOrably consider
the cause of ~. Augustine as the future
capital of the state.
Judge Foster was next introduced. lie
reviewed the causes which have brought
about the movement i'll favor of the re-
moSal of the capital from Tallahassee,
and showed that better and more suitable
accommodations must be provided.
Considering the candidacy of the sew
eral cities he said that If Tallahassee
should receive a plurality of the votes at
the coming primary election 1t would
mean an expenditure of at least
Z $50, 10000, as this amount was asked fol-
by the Leon county representatives in
the last legislature for the purpose OF
adding TO and repairing the present build
ing. If Ocala should receive a plurality
of the votes it would mean an expendi.
ture of at least Sl25, 10000, an amount
equal to what is offered by that city. II
Jacksonville should receive plurality OF
the votes it would mean an expenditure
of at least Sl5O, 10000 in addition To what
is offered by that city. In either case
this money would have To be raised by
, additional taxation.
/ If IT. Augustine should receive plural
ity of the votes il would mean not "A cent
OF expense 10 the people Of Florida, as
our people offer To erect and present
them handsome capitO. building, IL
cost not less than quarter of million
dollars without i cent of expense by tax
alton.
Therefore, say to You that vote foI
ST. Augustine is a vote against increased
taxation.
Comparing the propositions of It. Au.
gustimc and jacksonville he said that
the latter city Offered SlOOOUO.0O, but
did not name any time when the dOna
ton would become available. By the
provisions of Jacksonville proposed
constitutional amendment the seat u
government l. removed from Tallahassee
10 Jacksonville H. soon "a the amend
= ment IL adopted and temporary quarters
l are promised Tor the accommodation .
, the states officers.
} BY the pru;i>Iun> of It. Augustine
proposed constitutional amendment TIA,
. erection of the new building i mad
1, contingent upon the receipt from -. An
, justine OF cash donation of a quarter q
: a million dollars. In other words, TN
buildidg Will not be commenced until -
, Augustine has paid hcr money over /
: the proper state authorities, and the s-a
OF government remains AT Tallahasse
until the building Is completed.
A.t,.r .,,y.,.,y TO ~ mood taitL go