The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1906-09-28

Tee MECH Fewer lor Any Body ef Hen
The drainage proposition, now being
20 induntri01sly dinned into our ears by
the Governor and his supporters, Is one
which win admit of a wide range OF
speculation.
Much can be said and has been said
in favor Of the scheme, and much car
be said and has been said against il.
The Tribune sympathizes with the
land owners of the affected district in
their desire to have their holdings made
productive and salable. They are natu-
rally advocating their own private in
terests. They do not know, and, in
fact, no one can know-nOt even our
enthusiastic Governor, with all his al
legged scientific study of the subject
that the scheme Is practicable, that the
Everglades can be satisfactorily drained.
It is all a matter of conjecture, with
the preponderance of the expert evil
dence decidedly against the feasibility
of the project On one point all are
agreed that, II it is possible, it will
cost the taxpayers millions of dollars.
And It Is equally certain that If it is
attempted TO be done, on the plans adj
vocated by the Governor, it will cost
millions Of dollars anyhow, whether or
not it is successfully accomplished.
The point in the drainage scheme
that strikes the Tribune as a considera-
ton of gravest import is the provision
of the constitutional amendment which
vests powers and privileges in the men,
be-s of the Internal Improvement
Board. In the opinion of the Tribune,
the powers sought to be conferred upon
this body, the composition of which in
future is prOblematical, are excessive
and dangerous. There is no guarantee
that the people Of Florida may not elect
as the officials who constitute the board,
at some future day, INSCRIPTIONS and
designing men men who would not
hesitate to use the powers conferred
upon them under this amendment to
their personal ACKNOWLEDGMENT and en-
richment.
This Internal Improvement Board
will, under the provisions of this consti-
tutional amendment, be by far the most
powerful, the least restricted body in
the State. It would be its privilege,
whenever deemed necessary, to declare
any portion of Florida drainage dis
trict' and to impose upon the residents
OF such district extra taxation at its
own sweet will. The entire State could
be thus designated, If deemed advisable
and fancy, for moment, the ''pick-
ings" possible from the unlimited exer-
else of this remarkable prerOgative!
Regardless Of the practicability or i'm
practicability Of the drainage of the
Everglades, regardless of the question
Of whether or not the State could main
tain its title to the lands after improv-
ing them, regardless of all other con-
whatsoever, this bestOwal
Of absolute power upon any body of
men should never be permitted by the
people of Florida. 1t is dangerous, and
sure, sooner or later, to breed abuse,
tyranny and gre t..
Florida fortunately escaped the at |
tempted Estate insurance system, "and |
has thus far steered clear OF the fire. |
quently threatened "dispensary sys-
tem"-both similar in their tendencies |
to the system contemplated in the Gre
alton of this unlimited and supremacy |
powerful Internal Improvement ma
chine.
Let us beware, lest we authorize by
our votes this latest menace for in its |
depths Turk fOrbidding |
shapes Of graft and misrule-bOding |
only i'll to Florida. Tampa Tribune,