The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1906-03-09
GOVERNOR BROW
ARD DEFENDS
Drainage Of the EvsrslAdss.-ClAIms
Project Feasible and Important.

/
Speech at Jacksonville. from Times-UniOn. Athl
Governor N. B. Broward, in response
to an invitation from the Young Mems
Democratic League, last night defended
the project for draining the Everglades
in an address delivered to about 800
people that braved the cold wind blow
ing from the river, in order to listen to
him.
Under the original plan of the league,
there was to be q debate between the
Governor and representatives of the
press regarding this question that is
now being agitated throughout the en-
following invitation was extended by
the executive committee, of which JUS
tice l. L. Farris is chairman:
"To the Honorable Napoleon B. Brow
ard, Governor of the State of Florida,
Tallahassee; Hon. George w. Wilson,
editor of the Times-U Union, and Hon.
w. r. Carter, editor of the Metropo-
lis, Jacksonville:
Sirs-Pursuant to resolution adopted
by the executive committee of the
Young Mems Democratic League, at a
session held on the evening of March /,
1906, a copy of which we enclose to
each Of you, you or any person desig-
mated by you, are cordially invited by
the Young Mems Democratic League Of
Jacksonville to be present at meeting
to be held at the foot of Main street, on
the evening Of Saturday, March 3, at 8
o'clock, and to participate in discus
sion of the question of draining the
Everglades and matters pertaining
thereto"
GOVERNOR ACCEPTS.
Governor Broward accepted the invi-
tation by wire, and reached Jacksonville
yesterday afternoon. A platform was
erected on the site where so many polit-
ical questions have been fought out by
the supporters of each side, and despite
the fact that a cold wind was blowing
in from the river, nearly 800 people had
assembled at the hour appointed.
Governor Broward, escorted by a
committee composed of Justice /. l..
Farris, Mr.. George A. DeCottes and
Mr.. Frank W. Pope, Jr., was conducted
to the platform, and q few minutes
later Justice Farris formally introduced
him to the audience, prefacing the in
PRODUCTION by stating that the league,
which had invited the debate, was in
no sense political organization, but a
society formed to secure a fair and UNI
biased discussion of all matters of pub
lie moment.
Justice Farris read the following let
tiers from the Hon. Geo. w. Wilson and
the Hon. w. r. Carter, which he had
received in response to the invitation to
attend and discuss the question of the
Everglade drainage with the Governor: .
FROM MR.. WILSON.
Hon. |. l.. Farris, acting chairman
Young Mems Democratic League, City: /
My Dear Sir-The invitation extended |
TO me by the executive committee of /
your club has been received, In reply |
beg to say that / see no reason why |
should enter into an oral controversy
with Governor Broward on the question .
of drainage. The columns of the Times
Union are open to the Governor to give
his side of the question and nothing can
be accomplished by tossing brick bats
into the open air. The Times Union
can offer an audience Of CO. 600 every
day, and this feel is sufficient, from
my standpoint, for any in public discus
sion. Yours very truly,
George w. Wilson"
MR.. CARRIERS LETTER.
Hon. !. l.. Farris, chairman execu-
tive committee, Young Mems Demo
cratic League, Jacksonville, Fla. Dear
Sir; The kind invitation Of your club
asking me to speak at the foot Of Main
street tomorrow night on the Ever
glade proposition, just received. | am
sorry TO be unable TO accede to your re-
quest. My views on the subject have
been expressed frequently in the Me-
which is read by between 40,
200 and $4,000 people daily. | hope
however, you will be able te secure
Governor Broward, as his views on this
matter, following TIE recent decision
Of the United States Court, will prove
intensely interesting. With best wish
% for the success Of the Democratic
League, am,
"Yours truly,
Nv. r. Carter,
President Carter & Russell Publish
ng Company.
THE GOVERNORS SIDE.
Governor Broward, as soon as Justice
Farris had concluded, stepped forward
10 address the crowd. The Governor
mad come we'll prepared for the argu-
nent, bringing with him pamphlets and
statistics galore, and number Of maps
and diagrams Of the proposed project.
, His argument stripped TO the mere
basis may be summarized briefly as fol-
Ows, naming only the principal points
hat were brought out and fully devel-