The Florida star., 1902-10-10
GOVERNOR jennings SUGGESTION.
His Idea rs to Disposition of the Indian
War Claim Fund.

press of the state has been amusing
itself by free and easy discussion
OF the manner in which the Indian
war claim fund should be disposed
of, Governor Jennings has been
quietly formulating a plan for the
disposal of the S679, sos 00involved,
which is, to say the least, charac-
terized by the plain common sense
to be observed in most of his Off
cial movements.
This plan the governor has laid
before the board of commissioners
of state institutions in the follow
ing official letter, which, though
dated as long ago as last July, has
never until now been made public:
''State of Florida, Executive
Department, Tallahassee, July
21st, 1902.-To the Honor
able Board of State Institu-
tiOns: Gentlemen-I have the
honor to transmit herewith
United States treasury warrant No.
776, signed o. L. Spaulding, Assist
ant Secretary of Treasury, Trace
well, Comptroller, etc, dated Wash
ingtOn, ID. c., July 18th, 1902, for
the sum of S679,69S.OO, amount
found to be due Florida under the
Indian war claim act of May 9th,
1902 public No. 124), as more fully
appears by stated account con-
tanned in letter dated Washington,
ID. c., July 18th, 1902, addressed to
me, signed F. f. Rittman, Auditor
War Department, confirmed by
statement of State Treasurer Whit
field, and verified by State Agent
W. '. Knott, transmitted herewith.
The account was made and started
as of June '3Oth, 1902, on plan
stated and agreed upon by Treas
ury Department Auditor Rittman
and myself, while in conference on
June 3Oth, 1902, in Washington
city, as is indicated by my letter
dated July 2nd, 1902, addressed to
auditor war department. which was
finally accepted and Il certificate
signed by the governor, comp
trOller, state treasurer and atteSted
by the secretary of state, giving
bonded Indebtedness. rate of inter
est when refunded, etc, as more
fully appears by copy transmitted
herewith in accordance with my
agreement with the department.
Assuming that this matter will
be adjusted under your instruc-
tiOns and that the amount due
Florida will be paid, | deem it
proper that | should acquaint you
with my views on the policy that
ii Is my purpose to recommend,
which l., that this amount should
he used for the payment of the
bonded Indebtedness of the state.
According To the report in my office
tn" bonded Indebtedness of Florida
is a million thirty-two thousand
five hundred dollars, of which
amount sl4S,OOO.O0 are in the
hands of individuals. | suggest
THAT the Sl4S,OOO.OO state bonds be
purchased at once, as they will ma
ture January lst, 1903. 1t is my
opinion that it Is the part of wis
dom as we'll as safety to take up
these bonds and hold them for leg
islative direction. The ,"mainder
of the state bonds dred ,oI by the
educational fund of ttIdies az
shall recommend the pNe"y -
retirement of so manyS.. |, in thSfre
bonds as tttoTrI2roceeds of til, .dtan
war claim al pay; believiSy0as =
do, that tlrif is the best possible u.
that can .& made of this amoun.
which viii. lave us owing -. -
bonded DER H'arly half nj !,
ion of dollars baS&,
From the rep Fere mo, -he'
interest paid on >~rst1ate deE$ in
1900 amounted to SSS, ,92l.OO. This
amount for thirty years makes a