Gainesville daily sun. (Gainesville, Fla.) 190?-1938, 1906-06-17
DRAINAGE OF EVERGLADES.

A number Of members OF the Legis-
latute OF 1905 voted for Governor
Broward's drainage bill simply be-
cause they believed he had been elect.
ID on that issue and should be given
IN opportunity to demonstrate its
practicsbility. Senator j. n. Hum
phries, who represents DeSUto and
Manatee counties, was one who took
this view OF the question, and in the
last issue OF his Biadentown Herald
he refers 10 The subject as follows:
1.-The Herald IN the campaign Of
1904, as 10 well known, DID not support
Governor Broward, out WAS for +. W.
DAVIS, a man who though beaten Last,
was known 10 The Herald a. a safe and
brainy man, 10 whose care the best in
terests Of Florida might he safely en-
trusted.
Bot when Governor Browsrd was
elected and insugursted, we as loyal
Democrats, yielded TO him our most
cordial support We even went 80 far
a. 20 give our sanction to his drainage
scheme. And this we did not with
draw until after the matter had got
ten before the United States Court,
and that tribunal had sustained ID a
material extent the contention OF
those who had opposed il from the
start. Then We were forced TO look
into the matter more closely in order
10 express an intelligent opinion 10
those who looked TO us for information
a. 10 the real status OF the case.
1--WE early learned that the Governor
WAS making the mistake OF setting up
his opinions, supported by his inter-
es,ed counsellor-, against that OF the
courts still adhering to what we con-
ceved to be our duty, We mildly co1n-
selled caution and the suspension OF
all work on thetcheme until the suits
already in court could be brought TO
an Issue and trial, and the merits de-
termined 80 that Che Governor could
know just what his powers were before
jeopardzing the states money and
credit,
1T seems that the Governor could
not, or would not, take the safe, II not
the only sensible course, but with his
peculiar flibustering bent, decided TO
proceed with this gigantic undertake.
ing without any regard for the courts
at all.
This aroused the whole state to
more critical investigation IA to what
vas going on, and ~ last resulted in
the campaign that il nov distractiug
the state, And unfortunately for
Governor Broward the opinion ia being
formed that there is n syndicate OF
land sharks formed, who, by ways
that are dark and tricks that are vain
have pushed the Governor into meth
DDS that are, to say the least, very pc.
rullAr. After passing the drainage
mll, II WAS 80 apparently uncons,tuS
tionAl that they framed y cuustitu.
tional amendment which II - hoped
can he forced down the peoples throats
TO make a law enacted two years he.
! fore, a valid law DO the lawyers IN
the Legislature, or the members gen.
orally, know the meaning Of retroar.
/ tive action? Have they ever heard of
any state that has passed code "
| void laws and then made them valid
! hy making amendments 20 their con.
stitutionH Have they ever learned
the legal Interpretation OF void and
voidahlr II there IL auy ~ them
tina, th.uk they have, It certainly -
here IN tho state " Florida For no..
where ese - such n thing possible.
! Even Cur young schOo, boys know the
Distinction between constitutional
power. aud legislative powers, even (
some old hy.hlown lutist has sad tha,
IN" constitution provides 50 aud 90
Hut there hiss been q horde ~ use.
'rss Offices and officers, with fat ,alA.
/ 'ies annexed that ave Influence HI,d
/ up 20 h,rrd the state. We can't he.
/ ilrvr thA, Governor Rroward has Nil.
lnG'y walked into the trap thu. .ct Tor
! his unwary feet Hut rr that A. u
may the masses are looking - the 100.
Gaming ppis|aiurV tn ',pk ipr, a. =.