Gainesville daily sun. (Gainesville, Fla.) 190?-1938, 1906-11-05
COL. HILBURN MADE
A SOUND ARGUMENT
Related Many Facts Which I'm
pressed Hearers Saturday.
PuT VOTERS TO THINKING

BED by the Records, and Declared
That Passage Of Drainage Amend
nent Would be a Curse to the State
Anent to the drainage question
which Is aeitsting the minds OF Che
people Of Florida more than any othei
question OF politics at this time, Hon
s. J. Hilburn Of Palatka, one OF the
leading Iswgers Of the state and an
orator Of great ability, addressed the
voters OF Gainesville and Alachua
county st the court house Saturday
afternoon
The speaker was introduced by Prof.
McBeath. in his usual adable man
ner, who declared that Col Hilbum
was not only an orator OF recognized
ability, but man who had studied
this drainage question thoroughly, and
would relate few facts In opposition
90 the passage OF the measure at the
polls on November6,
Col Hllburn began his remarks in a
pleasant strain, assuring the good peo.
pie Of Gainesville and Alachua county
that he felt bonored upon any occasion
10 visit the beautiful University city
and minRle with iis citizens and the
people Of Alaehua county.
"There 10 one thing have TO regret,
however" he said, land that IL that
my distinguished persona friend and
advocste OF the drainage amendment,
Judge sgd r, Carter, Ia not present. !
expected fully TO have met him In
Joint debate today, hut learned upon
my arrival that he had duties which
called him elsewhere. Had / known
that Judge Carter would not have
been with ne, and realizing that on
Friday night you had listened TO the
able arguments Of one OF Florida's
brightest sons, Hon. Alex. 81. Clair
A Abrams, believe ! would have fore.
gone the pleasure OF being wish you
today. However, am here, am
glad 20 be here, and ! am going TO en-
ieavor 20 give you few pointers on
his drainage question
"To begin with" continued the
speaker, III want TO tell you that
have kept pretty well In line with the
situation 10 Putnam county, and am
when | Say that l believe
hat ninety per cent Of the people Of
my own county will vote against this
proposed amendment, The -eonsti-
ution Of our nation and State have al
ways been considered the bulwatks
Il our liberty, and In amending them
We should be sure that such amend
nents are necessary aud safe end
ound. II never was the purpose
4 constitutions TO take the place Of
taiutes. II we are 90 make our cone
tltutions take the place OF the
tatutes, then we destroy the purpose {
4 the constitution aud we might pro.
eed rs the kingdom OF Great Bri,Sia
oes today~--operate without consti.
uiional protection
81 desire 10 call your attention 10 the Z
proposed amendment 90 Article XVI
Z the constitution Of Florida, relative {
o the drainage Of all the swamp and Z
verAoWed lauds IN Florida. 4
Never In the history OF our nation q
'as there placed in the constitution OF )
ny State such provisions az are con. a
aimed Ia this amendment 10 pro-
oses 20 make the Governor and four q
lembets % his cabinet board 81 1
rainage commissioners with power Go 4
y "a drainage districts where aud 9
hen they please aud OF such size AZ O
icy plesse, aud 20 tax at the swamp, a
rerilowea aud alluvial lands Ia such il
strict at ga annual TAX OF ten cents l.
" acre. Il also provides that The G
,mmissloners (aot she STATED shalt q
I'VE lien on such lands Tor such
res superior 10 en- other liens Il q
so provides that an taxes shall be n
Elected by the tax collector aud &,
tined over 90 these commissioner q
,ar 10 mind these eommlsslouert Will al